An emailer points out a local NPR show airing at 1 PM Pacific today in Seattle, with Charlie Vick and Gregg Maryniak (of the X-Prize Foundation).

Here's the promo:

The Conversation

Guy Nelson, in for Ross Reynolds

1 pm Pacific KUOW 94.9 fm

Listen to past shows in The Conversation archive

Call-in numbers 206 543 5869, toll free long distance 1-800-289-5869

The first space launch by a private investor will happen this month. The man behind the project: Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. His rocket, called SpaceShip One, is designed for short visits to space, and does not travel fast enough to be put into orbit. What do you think of space travel moving into the private sector? What can they accomplish that NASA can't? What questions do you have for the designers of these new rockets? Would you like to travel to space on a vacation? On The Conversation today, we'll discuss the future of space travel, the Ansari X prize competition and find out what Allen hopes to accomplish.

Join us at 1:00 on KUOW. Call in your thoughts before the show to The Conversation feedback line, 206 221 3663 or send e-mail to conversation@kuow.org.

Join us on the air by calling 206 543 KUOW or 1
800 289 KUOW.

GUESTS: (as of 12:00pm PACIFIC)

Dr. Charles Vick: Senior Fellow on Space Policy with GlobalSecurity.org with more than 40 years of experience

Gregg Maryniak: the executive director of Ansari X prize

The show should be available on the archive shortly after it ends, for those who aren't local. I hope that this month's event, and the eventual winning of the prize, causes a lot more public discussion of this topic.

"Dr. Charles Vick: Senior Fellow on Space Policy with GlobalSecuirty.org with more than 40 years of experience"

Vick does not have a doctorate. I believe his highest education degree is an associate's degree in drafting.

A somewhat less snarky rundown on Charles Vick is available here. Sure, it's got some puffery, but this isn't some sign painter.

Oh, and I do have a real name; it's in my email address.

I have a question regarding SS1's two X-prize flights.Did each flight actually contain two live extra passengers?That was the spirit/intent/whole point of the prize.Take 3 live people into space without any gov't money.Take the risk.Test out the life support systems for 3 people..Assuming that Rutan just put on extra ballast/luggage, then quite frankly, Rutan failed.I would appreciate your response on the matter.Thank you.Sincerely,Craig White