Episode 8 - Cosmik Debris

Release Date: 25 June 2013

Duncan Forgan

The topic for Episode 8 is asteroid mining - the prospects for asteroid mining by humans in our solar system and for detecting its traces should an ET civilization be doing it in a nearby planetary system.  I spoke to scientist Duncan Forgan, entrepreneur Isaac Stott, and Ben Wright McGee, who wears a lot of hats.

Of course, the title refers to a Frank Zappa song about a New Age charlatan, but as you will hear, I don't think asteroid mining is a con.  It's just that asteroids are - debris.

The fifth Wow! Signal Podcast podcasting seal of approval is awarded to: Sid Smith's Podcast from the Yellow Room.

Download the .mp3 file

Isaac Stott

The Episode 8 script

Guests:

Dr. Duncan Forgan is a researcher at the University of Edinburgh.  His research interests include planetary system formation and theoretical SETI.

• Duncan Forgan and Martin Elvis, "Extrasolar Asteroid Mining as Forensic Evidence of Extraterrestrial Intelligence"

Isaac Stott is CEO of Stott Space, a company that aims to be the first to mine an asteroid.

• Stott's architecture for robotic asteroid mining

Ben Wright McGee is a scientist, writer and space entrepreneur

Ben Wright McGee

• Calling the Space Privateers.

Other Links

Planetary Resources
Deep Space Industries
Near Earth Object (NEO) Catalog
The Wow! Signal Podcast on iTunes

The Music

Ahleuchatistas
Jason Robinson
Mike Griffin
DJ Spooky






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