Summary
In this episode of the "StarTalk" podcast, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Ray Ellin discuss various topics related to space exploration. They begin by discussing the economics of launching from the Moon and why humans haven't gone back in decades. Tyson explains that unless there is a reason that overrides the cost, such as war or a military base on the Moon, it doesn't make economic sense to launch from there. They also discuss the history of the space race, including the Russian achievements that spooked the United States into landing on the Moon first.
The conversation then shifts to the International Space Treaty and the Planetary Protection Office, which protects Earth life from contamination and vice versa. The hosts discuss the legal frontier in space and whether there are penalties for breaking laws in space. They also discuss the new space race and the goal lines for scoring, including in situ resource utilization and the need for 3D printing technology.
The hosts then move on to the topic of the Space Force and its practicality. They explain that the Air Force already has a United States Space Command and that other reconnaissance agencies are also thinking about space. The benefits of Space Force are that it will focus attention on space and its debris, and it will be a place for reconnaissance. They also discuss the idea of sending world leaders into space to give them a cosmic perspective reality check and to make them realize the importance of making peace on Earth.
The hosts wrap up the episode with a discussion about the book "Accessory to War," which explores the relationship between astrophysics and the military. They also joke about sending 200 people into space to experience the beauty of Earth and appreciate the importance of protecting it, excluding flat-earthers from the trip. Overall, the episode provides an interesting and informative discussion on various topics related to space exploration.
