joining us from philadelphia, is derrick pitts, chief astronomer at the franklin institute science museum. great to see you. the new threat highlighted by the council on foreign relations is that it would not be difficult for an enemy to carry out an attack on the satellite network. they see dangers in three situation, the biggest being a conflict on earth could lead to a conflict in space, taking action against satellites - possible? >> well, it's certainly something that needs to be considered as possibly on the radar, for sure. because if we consider that it gives us an excellent platform to look at other countries as a way to look at their strategic developments, those assets on earth's orbit become - can become targets for destruction, to take out capability, as more countries come online with this capability, especially those that are not friendly with the united states, it's something that needs to be carefully attended to. >> it talks about peacetime interference, accidental or intentional. this is going on. there's probing of satellites, using people using lasers to jam and blind

for more we are joined from philadelphia by derrick pitts, from the franklin institute science museum. this is not the first time the launch was delayed. it was supposed to be in november. there was a pay load contamination issue, a fire. another. >> it's unusual that there would be so many delays, and typically that is not what happened. most of the issues are straightened out. several are external, coming to the launch sequence, if you will, from internal problems. nonetheless, spacex has an excellent launch record, doing very well, considering what they have been asked to do. they have a 1.6 billion budget. 12 launches. this would be the third of those. and they expect to get a better offer on friday. all in all spacex has done well. >> and spacex is important because it's really one. only ways we have of getting things to the space station that need to get there. how serious is a helium leak? >> well, depends how deeply buried it is. spacex believe the issue can be taken care of. it's not that serious a situation. they will not have to do a major disasemly of the craft. spacex is,

. >> derrick pitts, thank you for being on the show. the show may be over, but the consider considers on the website aljazeera.com/consider-this or ' >>> it is man versus machine. i'm kicking off a week-long series on the computer flash traders that are turning america's stock market upside down. also, the text startup that could change television as we know it. i'll look at what the supreme court could rule. plus i'll tell you how america could be energy independent within ten years, but i'll also tell you why it probably won't happen. "real money." ♪ >>> this is "real money." you are the most important part of the show, so tell me what is on your mind by tweeting or go to facebook.com. and starting tonight this show is an hour every weeknight, so fix your dvr and text your friends to tell them you'll be late for dinner. the battle over high freak went trading is spreading and gaining force. the latest was a lawsuit filed by the city in rhode island. defendants include the new york stock exchange nasdaq, jpmorgan chase and banc of amer

. >> derrick pitts at the franklin institute science museum. it seems like a day doesn't go by of hearing of some new plan to get to mars. why the fascination with our nearest planetary neighbor? >> the thing that makes mars stand out is the possibility that there might have been life on that planet at some time and the possibility that there still is life on that planet, perhaps underground. the other thing that makes it really intriguing is that if you look at all of the planets of our sol area system, there really are only two that we could possibly even visit. that would be our moon and mars. all of the other planets are not really possible landing target did at all. so, if we are going to do any stepping stone into the solar system, it's got mars. >> nasa is talking about three phases. some of what we are doing on the space station. the proofing ground phase which involves landing on an asteroid, further out than the moon. is that the main point to travel longer in space in that phase? >> long-term deep space missions. going to the moon an

. >> derrick pitts, thank you for being on the show. the show may be over, but the consider considers on the website aljazeera.com/consider-this or facebook for twitter and google+. see you next time. >> good evening, everyone. welcome to al jazeera america. i'm john siegenthaler in new york. mean streets. the surge in violence hits chicago, the violence over the weekend. what will it take to end the violence? the stow away-h he survived for five and a half hours at 30,000 feet. high hopes. denver's pot celebration and the push to legalize marijuana across america, the fight for and against it. sir patrick stewart and ian mckellin, take their turns at the datin newly wednesday newly. with hilarious results. >> for many children waiting for the bus could be a disaster. this easter weekend, that's exactly what happened. six kid shot -- kids shot. we'll talk to one man who tholdz key. this report from diane ef eastabrook. >> you are worried about your other kids? >> yes i am. especially my daughter that walks to school every morning by her

derrick pitts, thanks for joining us. >>> coming up, david letterman gets set to sign-off next year.e'll talk about the timing and possible replacements next. >>> can't a guy take a couple days off for the birth of a first child? the outrage how sports radio jocks have trashed a baseball star for what some of us wouldn't think twice about doing. >> weekday mornings on al jazeera america >> we do have breaking news this morning... >> start your day with in depth coverage from around the world. first hand reporting from across the country and real news keeping you up to date. starting at 6, the big stories of the day, from around the world... >> these people need help, this is were the worst of the attack took place... >> and throughout the morning, get a global perspective on the news... >> the life of doha... >> this is the international news hour... >> an informed look on the night's events, a smarter start to your day. mornings on al jazeera america >> i'm ali velshi, the news has become this thing where you talk to experts about people, and al jazeera has really tried to talk to p

derrick pitts, thanks for joining us. >>> coming up, david letterman gets set to sign-off next year. we'll talk about the timing and possible replacements next. >>> can't a guy take a couple days off for the birth of a first child? the outrage how sports radio >> scared as hell... >> as american troops prepare to leave afghanistan get a first hand look at what life is really like under the taliban. >> we're going to be taken to a place, where they're going to make plans for an attack. >> the only thing i know is, that they say they're not going to withdraw. >> then, immediately after, an america tonight special edition for more inside and analysis. >> why did you decide to go... >> it's extremly important for the western audience to know why these people keep on fighting... ...it's so seldom you get that access to the other side. >> faultlines: on the front lines with the taliban then an america tonight: special edition only on al jazeera america >>> david letterman has announced he'll step down next year. here's part of the official announcement that will air on thursday night's sho