/begin/ Dear Dr. Dasch and the STS 497I class, Here's how we plan to conduct the interview... We will welcome Dr. Dasch, and then read the topics we plan to discuss (she has the same list enclosed), and then introduce the student who asked the question in the order that they appear on the list. At that point, you will read your question (remember to hit your mic button FIRST) so Dr. Dasch can see you and hear you. In order to get through as many questions as possible, we ask that you keep your follow-up questions to the end (unless Dr. Dasch asks you to clarify or elaborate on your question). There are 15 questions total, allowing 3-4 minute responses on average. Some questions are in parts (a) and (b) because they are very related. Dr. Dasch will be asked both the questions prior to responding. If we get through our list before the end of the hour, we'll open up the interview for follow-up questions from the class. Matt Hughes, Chris Hynick, Josh Brosius ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR DR. PAT DASCH CONDUCTED FEBRUARY 16, 2001 Dr. Pat Dasch, Executive Director of the National Space Society Questions compiled by Matt Hughes, Chris Hynick, Josh Brosius Interview to be conducted by: Matt Hughes, Chris Hynick, Josh Brosius on February 16 12:00-1:00pm EST Questions submitted by: Josh Brosius (JB) Jason Camilo (JC) Chris Churchill (CC) Geoff Cooper (GC) Walid Dimachkie (WD) Matt Hughes (MH) Chris Hynick (CH) Brock Pronko (BP) Laura Yingling (LY) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Political ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. With a new president and more importantly a new political party in office, do you think this will have a positive or negative effect on the immediate future of the space program? In other words, how do you see American space policy changing under President Bush? (GC, LY) 2. It is evident that the government doesn't have the exploration of space in it's priority list. It hasn't put any effort, much less any funding into any of the programs that pertain to space exploration. Do you think that the public sector is ready to take on the task of establishing such programs and funding them, or is it still premature? (WD) 3. Do you favor President Bush's proposal for a committee to explore space related issues or do you favor former Vice-President's Gore proposal for a more personal oversight of space related issues? (CH) 4a. How imperative will it be to bring other nations together in order to deploy a mission to the Moon or Mars? We all know that the US and Russia have paired up in recent years, but what other countries will play a part - Japan, Germany, Australia, England etc.? (GC) 4b. (related to 4a) Considering the length of missions to Mars or the Moon, what guarantee does NASA have against a new president simply canceling a mission? (MH) 5. (if time) Briefly, what are your thoughts on the re-election of Daniel S. Goldin as NASA administrator for a temporary period? How does having only a temporary administration restrict our ability to aggressively tackle space colonization/exploration? (CH) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commercial ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. What do you think are the *most* *critical* current barriers for commercial enterprises sending people into space? (MH) 2. Can you describe a few of the long term economic benefits that will flow once the NSS goals are achieved (humans living, and working in space...)? In particular, can you address our growing energy needs/budget and how, in practice, these benefits can actually be distributed equally to all peoples? (CC) 3. Do you feel that if space colonization becomes reality, this will open up a whole new market for the commercial sector? Can you comment on the law (international, space, liability, etc.) and insurance fields (liability)? (JB) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Science ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. According to the NSS's Roadmap to Space Settlement, the first step in colonizing the Moon is having robots find ice there. Realistically, when do think such a mission will be implemented by NASA? (LY) 2a. What role will robots/AI have on finding ice and then sparking our success of space settlement? (JB) 2b. (related to 2a) Given that robotic missions with AI are stepping stones to manned missions to the planets, what do you think are a few of the high priority missions and what are there main objectives? (CC) 3. (if time) Having Pluto being the current mystery that it is, the public, and many space experts are divided on whether or not we should attempt exploration of the ninth planet in our solar system. Do you favor the sending of a probe to Pluto? (CH) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Miscellaneuos ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Space Settlement. Brave, independent-minded test pilots were the "Right Stuff" for the early space program. With the ISS, long duration missions and cohabitation with international crews requires a different kind of "Right Stuff." What do think the "Right Stuff" will be for manned missions to Mars? And for colonization? (BP) 2. What level of comfort will our government have to achieve with robots before we will attempt these types of missions with humans? What liabilities will we have to overcome before space colonization will take place? (MH) 3. What percentage of the colonies on the moon will be actual civilizations with people living there verses the colonies being used for research stations only? (GC) 4. How far do you think the space program is from reaching and exploring Mars? Do you think we will ever be able to actually live on Mars? (WD) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /end/