The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Inside Science Interview series on radio and podcast.  I’m Paul Vogelzang, and today’s show is part of our Smithsonian Associates Inside Science interview series, and we have an excellent program about interstellar spaceflight, rocket science, and solar sails and their impact on interplanetary travel…you’re going to want to hear this.

 

Thank you so much for listening. As I say, we’ve got a great guest today, who, after reading his new book, I’ve been looking forward to for a while and whom I’ll introduce in just a moment…But, quickly, if you missed any episodes, last week was our 679th episode, and I spoke with historian, author, and Smithsonian Associate Clay Jenkinson about Gulliver’s Travels and the fascinating story within a story, not just for children.  Two weeks ago had another great conversation with the author and NFL legend, a member of the only team in NFL history to be undefeated, and very entertaining guest Larry Csonka. Wonderful stuff…If you missed those shows, along with any others, you can go back and check them out with my entire back catalog of shows, all free for you there on our website, NotOld-Better.com…and if you leave a review, we will read it at the end of each show…leave reviews on Apple Podcasts for us.

The age-old dream of venturing forth into the cosmos and perhaps even colonizing distant worlds all may one day become a reality, according to our guest today, physicist, NASA consultant, and Smithsonian Associate Les Johnson. Les Johnson will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up soon, so please check out our show notes today for more details about Smithsonian Associates. 

Les Johnson and I will talk today about his new book, ‘A Traveler’s Guide to the Stars,’  the known exoplanets now numbering in the thousands and initiatives like 100 Year Starship and Breakthrough Starshot advancing the idea of interstellar travel, and how and when in our lifetimes we will be boarding rocket ships!

Les Johnson is a scientist, an author, and the Deputy Manager for NASA’s Advanced Concepts Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Please join me in welcoming to The Not Old Better Show Inside Science interview series on radio and podcast Les Johnson.

My thanks to Les Johnson for his time today.  My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show.  My thanks to you, my wonderful Not Old Better Show audience on radio and podcast…please be well and be safe, which I’m mentioning in every show because I want to bring attention to the issue of assault rifles, which aren’t safe, in anyone’s hands but the military and law enforcement.  Assault rifles are killing our children and grandchildren in the very places they learn: schools!  Please, let’s work together to eliminate assault rifles, and let’s do better.  Let’s talk about Better…the Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast, Smithsonian Associates Inside Science Interview series…