SPACE.com: As a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society, how would you describe the "world view" of the International Space Station program in particular and NASA in general?
Chris Gainor:
In much of the world, NASA's prestige remains high because of its past accomplishments. But most of the developed world is signed on for the ISS in one way or another, and these countries are increasingly concerned about the state of their own investments in the ISS. Will Canadian and European and Japanese space programs be denied access to the ISS because of shifting domestic political priorities in the United States? That's the question on a lot of minds right now. Changes to the ISS that ignore the interests of international partners could prove costly to the ISS, NASA and the United States.
Is the Canadian aerospace sector content with its role in the history of Apollo and now as the "robot arm" people when it comes to shuttle and station? Why or why not?
The Canadian aerospace industry is rightly proud of its role in building the Canadarm robot arms for the shuttle and the Mobile Servicing System for the ISS. As well, Canada's aerospace industry has a long history building satellites and providing services and equipment related to the exploitation of space. Canada has been a world leader in communications satellites, and in remote sensing, among other things. Canada's role in Apollo wasn't that well known, even to Canadians, until I wrote Arrows to the Moon.
Would Canada support a world-effort to send astronauts to Mars?
Marc Garneau, the former astronaut who is now president of the Canadian Space Agency, recently pointed the CSA toward participating in the exploration of Mars. Canadian equipment was used in Mars Pathfinder in 1997, and a Canadian experiment is aboard the Japanese Nozomi probe now en route to Mars. The first humans to reach Mars will likely be part of an international effort that will include Canada.
How do you think the Western world will react when China eventually puts men in space?
The reaction will be very muted in comparison to the first Soviet and American human flights of 40 years ago. China has long been a nuclear power, and we already know that China has the capability for human spaceflight. But there will be a recognition of China's growing technological and economic strengths.
Who are your personal and professional heroes?
As an adult, I have not been in the habit of pointing to people as being heroes. But in writing Arrows to the Moon, I have been hugely impressed with the work that the engineers from Avro Canada did at NASA, all of it on government salaries! I'm equally impressed by the leaders of NASA in the 1960s. One of the characters in the book, Owen Maynard, remembered that Robert Gilruth, the head of NASA's manned space effort in the 1960s, charged those under him with building a program that could be carried out by ordinary people. These "ordinary people" did the extraordinary, landing astronauts on the Moon on time and under budget.
What is your dream job?
Working in the space industry and/or writing more books on spaceflight history. As fate would have it, I'm looking for a job right now!
Where would you most like to travel?
I've been fortunate to see much of the world. I'd like to see more, but most of all, I'd like to travel into space.
What most upsets you about science or scientists?
What upsets me is that scientists get far less credit and recognition for their work than others whose work is far less important, such as movie stars and professional athletes. I suspect that not as many kids today want to grow up to be scientists as when I was young, and that's very sad. Science will suffer as a result, and so will human progress.
What is the most compelling element to you about the story of the Avro engineers working with NASA?
The late Jim Chamberlin made huge contributions to Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and the shuttle. Chamberlin oversaw production of Mercury capsules, playing a vital and unsung role in Mercury's success in putting the first Americans in space. He was one of the first to see the importance of lunar orbit rendezvous for Apollo. Most importantly, Chamberlin conceived and designed the Gemini spacecraft. Gemini pulled the U.S. ahead of the Soviet Union in the 1960s space race, and taught astronauts, controllers and builders crucial lessons that they applied to Apollo. He is known in Canada for his work on the CF-105 Avro Arrow, but his efforts at NASA were almost unknown.
Save the planet or escape it?
Both. Even if we pick up the pace of space exploration, it will be a very long time before we can think of escaping Earth. We must take care of our home planet because it will remain our home for many generations to come. Ultimately, the survival of humanity may involve establishing a new home. While we must work to be ready for that day, we must recognize that leaving Earth is a very long term proposition that should be optional and not mandatory as long as nature permits.
