Starfire CD

Dan Hampton (DH): Do you think the United States has lost our edge in space and, if so, can we recover it?

Dale Brown (DB): The U. S. lost our edge when we canceled the Shuttle but failed to have a replacement ready. We can certainly regain it, but it will take a substantial national commitment.

DH: If a second space race occurs could it possibly be globally unifying instead of globally divisive?

DB: As the U. S. Navy ensures access to the world's oceans for all by establishing a powerful global seagoing presence, the U. S. must establish a strong presence in space to ensure access for all. That will be seen by many as a threat. The question is: will the U. S. take a leadership position?

DH: Why do you believe Russia would be our primary threat over, say, India or China?

DB: Only Russia has the military force necessary to completely destroy America. Groups like al Qaeda can and have disrupted life in America; North Korea and Iran can threaten our allies and our overseas bases; China could cause a severe economic crisis. But only Russia could wipe our entire swaths of American life.

DH: One of the interesting things about your work are the ties to real world events - how important is this to you in creating good fiction?

DB: One of my goals as an author is to have folks read or watch a story about some event or crisis and then go to the bookstore and pick up my novel depicting the very save event or crisis. Another goal is to write about future events and technology and have them come true a few years later. That's a real kick in the pants for me!

Dan Hampton is the New York Times bestselling author of Viper Pilot and Lords of the Sky, as well as a decorated U. S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (Ret. ) with 151 combat missions completed during his twenty years in the USAF.