August 21, 2005: Space Technology and Mars - Sir Charles Shults III

Art Bell welcomes Sir Charles Shults III for a discussion on energy solutions and discoveries on Mars. The conversation begins with nuclear fusion, where Sir Charles explains the promise of helium-3 as clean fuel found on the lunar surface but extremely rare on Earth. He describes how orbital solar power satellites could replace dozens of power plants for roughly three billion dollars, beaming microwave energy to ground receivers at safe power densities.

Sir Charles details carbon nanotube technology that could make a space elevator feasible, noting these fibers can support their own weight across 3,400 kilometers. He predicts China will attempt to buy into Alberta's tar sands, now economically viable at current oil prices, and warns that China is adding cars at 85 percent per year compared to America's two percent growth rate.

The discussion shifts to Mars, where Sir Charles presents evidence of fossil sea life found by the Opportunity rover, including an organism with a five-pointed star pattern he names after Art Bell. He argues that simultaneous warming on both Earth and Mars points to the sun as the common driver of climate change and suggests NASA's reluctance to confirm life on Mars may stem from religious sensitivities.