March 22, 2001: Infinite Energy - Dr. Eugene Mallove & Richard C. Hoagland | Fall of Mir - Steve "Dr. Sky" Kates
Dr. Eugene Mallove, editor of Infinite Energy magazine, and Richard C. Hoagland then take center stage to discuss the suppression of cold fusion research. Mallove reveals that MIT fudged its 1989 calorimetry data, shifting positive results to appear negative, while Caltech fumbled basic algebra in its analysis. He presents findings from the 8th International Conference on Cold Fusion showing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries confirmed nuclear transmutation in laboratory conditions.
The conversation turns to the economics of space exploration, with Hoagland and Mallove lamenting that billions of dollars in orbital infrastructure were allowed to burn up for political reasons. They argue that cold fusion could power ion engines for solar system travel and that NASA resists private space tourism to maintain institutional control.
Key Moments
Mir Should Not Have Been Deorbited: Mallove and Hoagland argue NASA pressured Russia to bring Mir down for political reasons, calling it 'disgraceful in cosmic terms' to let two space stations burn up when private tourism like Dennis Tito's flight could have funded continued operations.
Mallove Accuses MIT of Fudging Cold Fusion Data: Mallove, MIT's former chief science writer, alleges that on July 10, 1989 MIT's Plasma Fusion Center had positive cold fusion calorimetry results that were shifted by July 13 to look negative, and says he resigned in 1991 over the cover-up.
Bell Demands a Working Cold Fusion Machine: Art pushes back hard, comparing cold fusion claims to the Wright brothers and saying that 12 years on with no demonstration model, he treats the claims as 'baloney talk.' Mallove concedes cold fusion will not be the first free-energy technology to market.
Arthur C. Clarke and Buzz Aldrin on Life on Mars and Zero-Point Energy: Hoagland reveals that during a recent Sri Lanka meeting Arthur C. Clarke told Buzz Aldrin he is convinced JPL imagery shows large life forms on Mars, while Aldrin replied it would take zero-point energy 200-400 years from now to reach Alpha Centauri.
Memos to Four Presidents on Cold Fusion: Mallove recounts twelve years of failed political outreach: Glenn Seaborg killed cold fusion to George H.W. Bush before any verification experiments; Clinton sent a thank-you note in his last days; Gore refused a briefing as 'too controversial'; only John McCain agreed to be briefed.