Attn, LA Reasonoids: Brian Doherty Talks w Rocket Scientist Doug Jones, Thursday at Noon

If you've ever dreamed of soaring to the stars, liftoff may be coming sooner than you think. Just ask XCOR's Chief Test Engineer Doug Jones, who has designed a commercial suborbital spaceship that can fly up to four times a day, six days a week - sort of like an airplane. And for the low, low price of $95,000, you too can have a ticket to ride. 

On Thursday, May 16, Jones and Reason Senior Editor Brian Doherty will sit down at Reason.tv's Los Angeles studios to discuss the future of private spaceflight - and why California may no longer be the launch pad for the final frontier. You are cordially invited to join us in the studio as well as for a post-taping lunch immediately afterwards. 

Thursday, May 16

Studio doors open at 11:45 a.m.; taping begins at 12:00 p.m. 

Lunch to follow

Reason.tv Studios

5737 Mesmer Ave. 

Los Angeles, CA 90230

map: http://bit.ly/ZI12y9

Join us for a fascinating discussion that will appeal to your inner rocket scientist. Please RSVP to Mary Toledo at [e-mail] or 310-391-2245 by May 15.

This event will also be livestreamed at Reason.com!

For past Reason TV event videos, go here now.

Comments

[Hyperion]

If you've ever dreamed of soaring to the stars

The stars, yes. Low earth orbit, meh, not so much.

[Fist of Etiquette]

It's not brain surgery.

[Eduard van Haalen]

Oh, screw you.

[Fist of Etiquette]

F5 ain't rocket science.

[Auric Demonocles]

Calling a suborbital vehicle a spacecraft is only technically correct. Like calling a post without alt-text an article.

[Pro Libertate]

It's a spacecraft for a few minutes. Sort of.

I'm okay with all of this suborbital focus for the time being, because it's at least the beginning of space tourism. But the real goal is cheap access to orbit (and beyond).

[Auric Demonocles]

Space. Elevator.

[Pro Libertate]

I'm in.

[Auric Demonocles]

Okay, I'll stay down here and grab the cable when you lower it. You buy the cable and lower it down.

[Pro Libertate]

I've got fifty carbon nanotubes right here, ready to go. Give me several orders of magnitude more, and I'll be ready.

[Auric Demonocles]

Okay, I've got to go the bathroom anyway. I'll see you when I get back.

[Pro Libertate]

Just found another one!

[Auric Demonocles]

Only one? I don't have enough water for this.

[Pro Libertate]

It's a surprisingly slow process, knitting a carbon nanotube.

[Pro Libertate]

What do you think, some sort of Burma Shave-type advertising on the way up? You know, to help finance the thing?

[Auric Demonocles]

I had to Google this, but yeah, that seems reasonable. Or we just offer a single TV option and we sell the rights to this captive audience.

[Pro Libertate]

For the ride, you mean? Just one network? Cruel.

Do we provide wireless for the ride? If so, how much?

[Auric Demonocles]

Why would it be cruel to offer them just Firefly: TNG?

[Eduard van Haalen]

For all your bucks
You want more bang
So come on and buy
Some sweet, sweet Tang.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_(drink)

[Eduard van Haalen]

As you escape
The atmosphere
Crack open a can
Of Miller beer

[Eduard van Haalen]

There is no monster
On the wing
So relax and buy
Some De Beers bling

[Eduard van Haalen]

You think you're high
Now get higher yet
With a medical marijuana
Cigarette

[Pro Libertate]

De Beers is screwed if we start mining the solar system. Unless they get there first, anyway.

[kinnath]

Young whipper-snapper

[Eduard van Haalen]

You bring the leather suit
I bring the whip
In our zero G
S&M spaceship

[Eduard van Haalen]

Ground control
To Major Thom
Our Nike sneakers
Are da bomb

[Eduard van Haalen]

From this height
You can see Nantucker
Unwrap a LifeSaver
And really suck it

[Eduard van Haalen]

(Nantucket)

[Eduard van Haalen]

(Nantucket)

[Apatheist ?_??]

Technically correct is the best kind of correct.

[Auric Demonocles]

Not when it means no alt-text. Or orbits.

[Eduard van Haalen]

Gee, rocket science isn't brain surgery!

[EDG reppin' LBC]

...and why California may no longer be the launch pad for the final frontier.

I think that the engineering, design, and research elements will stay in California. The manufacturing and production of spaceships will probably go to South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, etc. Launches/landings will take place in Mexico.

[A Serious Man]

Planet Earth is blue and there is nothing I can do.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

We asked voters whether they thought hipsters made a positive cultural contribution to society or whether they just "soullessly appropriate cultural tropes from the past for their own ironic amusement.

[KDN]

Oh, frivolity.

About one in five voters (21%) said they thought Pabst Blue Ribbon, commonly associated with hipsters, was a good beer. Democrats (29%) were more likely than Republicans (23%) to think so, while independents (11%) were least likely.

REALITY BASED PARTY.

[Auric Demonocles]

I think PBR was a 'good' beer while I was an underclassmen, where 'good' is defined as 'meets the criteria I have right now'.

[KDN]

Pretty much. It's good for a shitty beer, but let's not pretend it's not a shitty beer.

[Francisco d Anconia]

When a destitute college student, good meant the most alcohol per dollar. For us that was a six pack of Piels pounders for $2.99. PBR is on par.

Anyone with a job who would drink such swill is a maroon.

(Do hipsters have jobs?)

[EDG reppin' LBC]

I've got Pabst Blue Ribbon on my mind.

[Francisco d Anconia]

I think the only real question here is whether Kirk will give us a:

"KHAAAAAN....KHAAAAAAAAAAAN!"

next Friday?

[Auric Demonocles]

If you were watching Pro Lib and my show you'd be guaranteed to get that every week.

[kinnath]

It's just my job, five days a week.