Cosmic Careers on Podcast with Alastair Browne

Send us Fan MailThis is the conclusion of the book and the last episode of this series, but don't skip it.  There are a lot of points to cover here.  Two being examples of two different people, with different skills, being able to apply them to the space movement.  One is an engineer, the other is a seamstress.There is a mis-spoke here, where I said "gravity" when I meant" zero gravity" (about the drop tower), but I decided to leave it as is since it is a hassle to change it, and I didn't have the time.  However, I didn't say what kind of gravity, so you can interpret it any way you want.In the end, Veronica and I discussed a few of the jobs in the Appendix.  This lists 41 jobs that can and will be used in space, but there are many more that cannot be imagined right now.  We will probably use ALL the skills from Earth because we want to keep our quality of life.  B.T.W., did you notice I mentioned Bear Biologist?  Here it is, the promise of the coming space movement, for all humanity, including YOU!Now all you have to do is go out and buy the book, Cosmic Careers, either on the net (hint, you can get it on amazon at a VERY reduced price) or order it at your local bookstore.I shall return!Alastair Browne

Send us Fan MailThis is the final Chapter, and the ultimate in settling near-Earth space, the planet Mars.  It won't be easy.  It is 40 million miles away, at its closest point to Earth, and there is the problem of radiation.  It is estimated that it will take nine months to travel to Mars at its closest point to Earth, and we need new technology to speed up this journey.  Not only that, there is loads of Cosmic radiation which we do not know how to deal with, both on the way and settling the red planet.Can we do this?  Yes, if we have the determination and are willing to find ways to deal with these problems.  Such ways do exist, and we have the technology and know-how to do so.Next podcast will be the Conclusion of this book.Above illustration courtesy of Adobe Stock Images.  Used by permission.

Send us Fan MailSettling the Moon will be very vital as we progress out into space.  Not only will we settle there, we will have to build up an industrial society and establish a scientific base, to explore the Moon and the surrounding space environment.As we settle on the Moon, we will have to have a strong lunar economy, for the Moon has to pay for itself, and it will.  There are many valuable minerals on the Moon to mine, lunar regolith containing these minerals along with providing radiation shielding for habitats and O'Neill space colonies, along with simply growing crops for food.There is also plenty of water on the Moon, so that will not be a problem.The Moon can become a powerful export economy, providing resources, and manufactured goods for space stations, habitats, and manufacturing plants.It will also provide badly needed resources for Earth.Yes, the Moon will first be settled slowly, and it will become a multi-trillion dollar economy.Above illustration courtesy of Adobe Stock Images.  Used by permission.

Send us Fan MailExtreme tourism has been going on for a while, from climbing Mount Everest to going down to the Titanic, but now there is a new one, venturing into space.  Well, not exactly new, because it's been going on for a few years, and it will get bigger.  From suborbital space, to orbiting the Earth, to orbital space hotels and staying on the Moon, it's all coming!  What people don't realize is that this is not just a luxurious excursion for the wealthy, but the way to space for all humanity.  As tourist space vehicles and hotels get more comfortable an cheaper, it will spinoff to the space sector for the migrants and workers space by cheaper, safer, and more comfortable launch systems and space habitats.Listen and hear for yourself, and think about how you can become involved.  Space tourism is a whole new world opening up, for everyone, tourist or not.Above illustration courtesy of Adobe Stock Images.  Used by permission.

Send us Fan MailNote:  The above illustration of the Torus Colony’s Interior is by Don Davis, and is found in The Public Domain Review.  It reflects the essay concerning O’Neill Space Habitats, and can be found on the website https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/space-colony-art-from-the-1970s/.This illustration is in the Public Domain.When working in space, you have to live in space.  In the last podcast, I have discussed the dangers to zero gravity on bone deterioration, but there is a way around it.  Live in a space habitat with Earth gravity.  Impossible!  No, indeed.  First, artificial gravity is produced when a habitat rotates, spins around.  This is what our habitats would do.But wait, there's more.  We wouldn't live in a habitat with walls.  We would live in a habitat in forests, gardens, parks, flowing rivers and lakes, farms, and everyone could have a home, just like on Earth.  In fact, this would be better, because you can shape it any way you like.The late Dr. Gerard K. O'Neill proposed this, habitats several miles long, settling on the interior, with windows for sunlight, producing your very own paradise.  These habitats could house anywhere from 10 thousand to 400 thousand people.  These are known as O'Neill Space habitats, named after the inventor.  Want to know more?  Listen!

Send us Fan MailAs we develop and industrialize space, many, of all skills, will work up here.  In this podcast we will focus on two areas:  Space Medicines and Mining Asteroids.  There will be many advances in both fields, with techniques we've never even dreamed of until quite recently, when we examined near zero gravity and its effects on the human body, and how we have to counter it, in ourselves and our labors.  There will also be many advantages to this.Don't get the idea that all this will be for professionals, for many backup skills will be required:  salvaging space debris, processing metals,  doctors, nurses, and assistants in the medical field, and skills not mentioned.  Here, we want you to think.Above illustration courtesy of Veronica Chiaravalli.

Send us Fan MailSpace Transportation, once in the government domain, has gone private, and the industries like SpaceX and Blue Origin are running with it.There are various types of space transport, and propulsion systems that are still on the drawing board, and we must choose the right one, both with the technology we have and the technology we need to develop.Fortunately, we have many examples now in existence with which we can follow.Above illustration courtesy of Adobe Stock Images.  Used with permission.

Send us Fan MailAlthough private companies and entrepreneurs will develop space, governments will still play a major role.  This is absolutely necessary, for they will help to build the space infrastructure, and they will provide law enforcement in the protection of industries, prevent corruption,  and enforce space trafficking.  This will be done by either a combination of all spacefaring nations, or the United Nations.  This has to be done.  Both industry and governments are vital to each other.

Send us Fan MailOpportunities abound for big and small companies alike.  Many small companies manufacture parts that are vital to space probes and other vehicles, including crews space ships.  These major companies will consult smaller companies to order badly needed parts, and the small companies comply using off the shelf technology.  What they have to do is design the part where is will fit the probe, as a whole.  If there is technology required that is not available, the companies will go as far as to invent it, and most of the time, they succeed.There is also the problem of funding, and funds are available, from many sources, including the government, individuals, and private industry itself, depending on what is needed.Small space companies will be a vital part of our future.

Send us Fan MailSince the 1500s, Europeans have colonized the Americas, Africa, Australia, and parts of Asia.  What isn't known is that they were not colonized by the governments, but by merchants, trying to make a living by importing spices, silks, porcelain, and other exotic goods to their home countries.  As trade grew, the governments stepped in to maintain law and order in their newfound colonies.  One example is the rise of the British Empire.This is how it will be in space, but we will not have empires, nor separates militaries, but one police force and all companies shall be equal and represent all humanity.Above illustration courtesy of  Veronica Chiaravalli.

Send us Fan MailChapter One tells of the resources of space, the Moon, and the Asteroids, their minerals, and the benefits of mining them.  It tells of the products that can be derived from them, big and small, vital for the human race and personal, and the quality of them.  Along with mining, there is also zero gravity and the advantages of processing compounds, compounds such as medicines that cannot be produced on Earth.  From the medicines can come new treatments, even cures for diseases, including cancer.  We may even go as far as regeneration of body parts.  Have a listen, for there is something here that will be of interest to you, whether your skills are of medicine, energy, or even the construction of habitats, for that is also included.  All of this will benefit humanity.Above illustration courtesy of Veronica Chiaravalli.

Send us Fan MailThis is the introduction to the book, Cosmic Careers, by myself, Alastair Storm Browne and Maryann Karinch, who has done intensive research on this book.  It is published by HarperCollins.  The Introduction explains the book in general, the history of space exploration, its future, and how you, the reader, can get involved with the skills you have.  You do not have to be a scientist or an engineer to have a career in space.  With the space movement on the rise, ALL skills will be needed, even yours, no matter who you are.  So join us and take a journey on the new frontier of space.  There is a place for YOU!

Send us Fan MailThis is a preview of my book Cosmic Careers, and what is in it.  It's short, only one minute and forty seconds, with music, but listen to this first before proceeding to the first podcast.  This will give you a clear view of what is to come.