Wanted to let everyone know that SSI's Dr. Lee Valentine appeared on "The Space Show" to discuss the upcoming SSI Space Manufacturing conference. David Livingston seemed very impressed with the quality of the speakers lined up. MP3's of past shows are available here (http://thespaceshow.com/) and Valentine's is under Oct/6/2010.

Regards,

Mike Combs

I did find the link, and wow, it's a great link, but didn't have time to listen yesterday. Could anyone sum it up?

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "Combs, Mike" wrote:

I listened to this broadcast, and it is totally rich in information. The discussion on platinum (as it relates to space mining) is exciting and at the same time opens a whole can of worms. One point of that discussion is how greater availability of platinum would change our energy profile, because it allows, through some kind of change in engine design, I think, less oil for same energy. But here's the can of worms: the way our economy is, isn't there someone somewhere praying and working that we absolutely never get access to more platinum because of the havoc it would deliver to the world's economy as presently arranged? Millions out of work? (Such an effect could be temporary--if you define 'temporary' pretty broadly! What would happen in the interim is enough to stay some people's hand for support for any initiative that might tend toward unstabilizing things--like politicians, for example, sucking on that vote--another possible argument for kings, again, when we finally Get Out There.)

That's a great link! Did you know Virgin has promised a tourist colony in eighteen months? That's what the conference organizer reported.

You still have a chance to get to this conference, which is so promising.

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "janet_baker76" wrote: