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Feature Guest: Chuck Black
Our guest today is Chuck Black who joins The Star Spot to discuss the business case for space within the international scene. Following hot on the heels of the success of private spacecraft Dragon and the upcoming Chinese launch to the Tiangong Space Station, in this interview with Justin Trottier, the two discuss the space programs of various nations, debate private versus public-led initiatives, analyze the interaction of the 3 main players (government, industry and research centres), reflect on reforms being implemented by various countries to better respond to the changes in the space sector, and conclude with a focus on the challenges and opportunities of space exploration.
Chuck Black is Treasurer of the Canadian Space Commerce Association. He is an aerospace pundit and writer who runs the Space Conference News website and the Commercial Space Blog. Within the space sector, he creates business proposals and plans, networks among stakeholders and technical professionals, organizes and manages conferences, and is an all around space sciences and technology advocate.
In Current in Space we describe the recently launched NuSTAR (Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array) telescope, a space-based x-ray telescope set to open a new window on the universe by studying the highest energy x-ray phenomena like supernovae, gamma ray bursts and active galaxies. We then remind listeners of the upcoming summer solstice in the northern hemisphere with a quick archeoastronomical history lesson. Finally, we shift to space exploration by discussing the Shenzhou 9 mission which will make China the third country in the world to establish a crewed base in orbit.
Links
Canadian Space Commerce Association
Canada’s federal budget pinch felt even in outer space
If you have interesting news and story ideas, as well as topics or potential interview guest, please send them to starspotpodcast@gmail.com.
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