The Space Show

Guest: Eileen Collins; Topics: Human spaceflight, U.S. space policy, Mars, space shuttle, ISS, and much more. Please direct all comments and questions regarding specific Space Show programs & guest(s) to the Space Show blog which is part of archived program on our website, www.thespaceshow.com. Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm. We welcomed Retired USAF Col. Eileen Collins to the program. Col. Collins is also a retired NASA astronaut having been both the first woman pilot and first woman commander of a space shuttle. During the first segment of our 95 minute discussion, I asked our guest about the differences in flying to and from MIR and the ISS, plus docking. I also asked Col. Collins what it was like being inside Mir. You might be surprised by what she had to say about both MIR and the ISS, especially when comparing one to the other and how one approached and docked with each space station. Its an interesting discussion which you don't hear that much about so listen up so you don't miss anything. We next talked U.S. space policy. Col. Collins said that our space policy should be vetted, public, and very transparent. It should also include input from interested citizens. She said that the policy makers should "stop changing things on us!" Listen to her explanation of that statement. Our guest cited several examples to make her case about changing things. Eileen wants to go to Mars and would like to see the U.S. lead the Mars venture. She also said she would like to see a U.S. astronaut be the first one to set foot on Mars. Listeners asked her about an international partnership for a human Mars mission and would she be OK if an American was not the first on Mars. Don't miss her answer to that question. We briefly talked about planetary protection Mars. Her bottom line was that being a former test pilot, she believes the people involved would "figure it out." She does not see planetary protection preventing humans on Mars.We briefly talked about her recent House testimony and the Space Leadership Preservation Act that would provide for a ten year term for the NASA administrator so as to remove politics from NASA. Eileen explained why she thought ten years might be too long but was in favor of five year term. In talking about NASA space projects, she gave high praise to the robotic and science missions and said that astronauts support these missions as the unmanned part of NASA was very important. Besides Mars, other destinations of possible interest that were mentioned included Europa and Venus plus the Martian moons. She also had high praise for the Kepler mission and talked about the exoplanet discoveries which she said were very exciting. Todd from San Diego asked if she were selected for a mission to Deimos instead of actually going to and landing on Mars, would she be disappointed that she was not actually going to Mars. Don't miss what she had to say in response to this question. Following Todd's question, Jack sent in a note asking her if she would consider going to Mars on the much talked about SpaceX humans to Mars mission were she asked to be part of the mission. Again, don't miss what she said about going to Mars via SpaceX. Read the rest of the summary @ www.thespaceshow.com.