Podcasts about Virgin Orbit

Last week, Space Centre Australia revealed it was set to work with NASA on an audacious proposal to launch satellites via military aircraft. The plan – similar to that pioneered by Virgin Orbit – has already begun testing at the US space agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia using a modified C-130J Super Hercules. In this episode of the Space Connect podcast, SCA's chief executive, James Palmer, discusses how his team plans to do it and if it could lead to a closer collaboration with the US space agency.

Barry Matsumori is no stranger to space, but his latest mission takes flight in a whole new way. As CEO of Skydweller Aero, he leads the charge in developing an autonomous, solar-powered aircraft capable of perpetual flight. In this episode, Barry shares how his transition from satellites and rockets to high-altitude aircraft opened new possibilities for Earth observation, communication, and global connectivity. He explains how Skydweller Aero's innovative aircraft operates in 'near space,' bridging the gap between satellites and traditional aviation while unlocking groundbreaking applications for government, commercial, and humanitarian use. Skydweller isn't just an aircraft—it's a revolution in aerial technology. With a staggering 236-foot wingspan, this lightweight, solar-powered plane stays airborne for weeks at a time, providing a cost-effective alternative to satellites. Barry discusses how its autonomous capabilities, ultra-quiet operation, and low-cost deployment make it a game-changer for monitoring environmental changes, supporting disaster response, and even detecting early signs of wildfires. The potential applications are endless, from enhancing maritime security to delivering broadband in remote areas. Barry also explores the challenges of bringing perpetual flight to reality, from navigating aviation regulations to optimizing autonomous flight systems. He shares fascinating insights into the engineering marvel that allows Skydweller to loiter over critical areas, providing real-time data with unparalleled precision. And for those wondering about the plane's name? It's as poetic as it is functional—Skydweller quite literally dwells in the sky, redefining how we think about flight. About Barry Matsumori: Barry Matsumori has had an extensive career in aerospace, having worked with leading companies such as SpaceX and Virgin Orbit. His expertise spans satellite technology, launch systems, and now, the pioneering world of high-altitude, solar-powered aircraft. With over two decades of experience in developing cutting-edge space and aviation technologies, Barry is at the forefront of shaping the future of flight. Want to see Skydweller in action? Keep an eye out for upcoming test flights and potential showcases at major aviation events. You can also check out footage of its incredible capabilities online—just search for 'Mississippi Skydweller' to see the reactions of stunned onlookers witnessing its silent, solar-powered flight. Connect with Skydweller Aero: Skydweller Aero WebsiteBarry Matsumori on LinkedIn The future of flight is here, and it's powered by the sun. Buckle up and join us as we explore the limitless possibilities of perpetual aviation!  STORIES TO SPACE just announced MISSION 04! What's MISSION 04? We're teaming up with our local community college students to send YOUR submitted stories into the STRATOSPHERE on a weather balloon! So get your stories now, we will be launching end of April/ early May, weather depending! www.storiesofspace.com  You can follow and share in the socials,  LinkedIn - @casualspacepodcast Facebook - @casualspacepodcast Instagram - @casualspacepodcast YouTube - @casualspacepodcast83 or email me at beth@casualspacepodcast.com. And, here is your invitation for the ONE-SPACE celebration!    Carrying on the spirit and legacy of YURI'S NIGHT Space Coast, ONE-SPACE is happening for one night only on April 12, 2025, at the iconic Kennedy Space Center in Florida.   This inaugural event is a celebration of pioneers and dreamers—from the first steps on the Moon to the new frontiers of private spaceflight, we'll gather to honor the past and inspire the future.   Get ready for an unforgettable night:

This week we talk about Luna 2, soft-landings, and Firefly Aerospace.We also discuss the private space launch industry, lunar landers, and regolith.Recommended Book: The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. CoreyTranscriptIn 1959, Luna 2, a Soviet impactor-style spacecraft, successfully reached the surface of the Moon—the first-ever human-made object to do so.Luna 2 was very of its era; a relatively simple device, similar in many ways to the better-known Sputnik satellite, but getting a craft to the moon is far more difficult than placing something in orbit around Earth, in part because of the distance involved—the Moon is about 30-Earth's from the surface of the earth, that figure varying based on where in its elliptical orbit it is at the moment, but that's a good average, around 239,000 miles which is about 384,000 km, while Sputnik's orbit only took it something like 359 miles, around 578 km from the surface. That's somewhere in the neighborhood of 670-times the distance.So new considerations, like fuel to get there, but also charting paths to the moon that would allow the human-made object to actually hit it, rather than flying off into space, and even figuring out whether craft would need to be designed differently if they made it out of Earth's magnetic field, were significant hurdles that had to be leapt to make this mission a success; everything was brand new, and there were gobs of unknowns.That said, this craft didn't settle onto the moon—it plowed into it like a bullet, a so-called ‘hard landing.' Which was still an astonishing feet of research and engineering, as at this point in history most rockets were still blowing up before making it off the launch pad, including the projects that eventually led to the design and launch of Luna 2.The US managed their own hard landing on the Moon in 1962, and it wasn't until 1966 that the first soft landing—the craft slowing itself before impact, so that some kind of intact device would actually continue to exist and function on the surface of the moon—was accomplished by the Luna 9.The Luna 9 used an ejectable capsule that was protected by airbags, which helped it survive its 34 mph, which is about 54 kmh impact. This successful mission returned the first panoramic photographs from the surface of the moon, which was another notable, historic, incredibly difficult at the time feat.A series of rapid-fire firsts followed these initial visits, including the first-ever crewed flight to the Moon, made by the US Apollo 8 mission in 1968—that one didn't land, but it did circle the Moon 10 times before returning to Earth, the first successful crewed mission to the surface of the Moon made by the Apollo 11 team in 1969, and by the early 70s humans had made several more moon landings: all of them were American missions, as the US is still the only country to have performed successful crewed missions to the Moon's surface, but the Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 missions all put people on the lunar surface, and then returned them safely to Earth.The Luna 24, another Soviet mission launched in 1976, was the last big space race era mission to return lunar samples—chunks of moon rock and regolith—to earth, though it was a robotic mission, no humans aboard. And by many measures, the space race actually ended the previous year, in 1975, when Apollo and Soyuz capsules, US and Soviet missions, respectively, docked in orbit, creating the first international space mission, and allowing US astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts to shake hands, symbolically burying the hatchet, at least in terms of that particular, non-earthbound rivalry.What I'd like to talk about today is a recent, successful soft landing on the lunar surface that's historic in nature, but also contemporarily significant for several other reasons.—Firefly Space Systems was founded in the US in 2014 by a team of entrepreneurs who wanted to compete with then-burgeoning private space companies like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic by, like these competitors, reducing the cost of getting stuff into low Earth orbit.They were planning to become profitable within four years on the back of the also-burgeoning small satellite industry, which basically means selling space on their rockets, which are capable of carrying multiple small satellites on what's often called a ‘rideshare' basis, to companies and agencies that were keen to launch their own orbital assets.These smaller satellites were becoming increasingly popular and doable because the tech required was shrinking and becoming cheaper, and that meant you no longer needed a boggling amount of money to do basic research or to lob a communications satellite into orbit; you could spent a few million dollars instead of tens or hundreds of millions, and buy space on a rocket carrying many small satellites, rather than needing to splurge on a rocket all by yourself, that rocket carrying only your giant, extremely costly and large conventional satellite.This path, it was hoped, would provide them the benefits of economies of scale, allowing them to build and launch more rockets, which in turn would bring the costs of such rockets and launches down, over time.And the general concept was sound—that's basically what SpaceX has managed to do, with mammoth success, over the past decade completely rewiring how the space launch industry works; their many, reusable rockets and rocket components, and abundant launches, many of which are used to lob their own StarLink in-orbit satellites into space, while also usually carrying smaller satellites provided by clients who pay to go along for the ride, bringing all of these costs down dramatically.So that model is basically what Firefly was aiming for, as well—but the Firefly team, which was made up of folks from Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, and other industry entities was sued by Virgin Galactic, which alleged that a former employee who left them to work for Firefly provided Firefly with intellectual property and committed what amounts to espionage, destroying data and hardware before they left.These allegations were confirmed in 2016, and some of Firefly's most vital customers and investors backed out, leaving the company without enough money to move forward. A second lawsuit from Virgin Orbit against Firefly and some of its people hit that same year, and that left the company insolvent, its assets put up for auction in 2017.Those assets were bought by an investment company called Noosphere Ventures, which relaunched Firefly Space Systems as Firefly Aerospace. They then reworked the designs of their rockets a bit and relocated some of the company's research assets to Ukraine, where the head of Noosphere Ventures is from.They picked up a few customers in the following years, and they leased a private launch pad in Florida and another in California. In 2021, they were awarded more than $90 million to develop exploration tech for the Artemis Moon program, which was scheduled for 2023 and was meant to help develop the US's private space industry; NASA was trying out a model that would see them hire private companies to deliver assets for a future moon-based mission, establishing long-term human presence on the moon, over the course of several years, and doing so on a budget by basically not having to build every single aspect of the mission themselves.That same year, the head of Noosphere Ventures was asked by the US Committee on Foreign Investment to sell nearly 50% of his stake in Firefly for national security reasons; he was born in Ukraine, and the Committee was apparently concerned about so much of the company's infrastructure being located in a country that, even before Russia invaded the following year, was considered to be a precarious spot for security-vital US research and development assets.This is considered to be something of a scandal, as it was implied that this Ukrainian owner was himself under suspicion of maybe being a Russian asset—something that seems to have been all implication and no substance, as he's since moved back to Ukraine and has gone on to be something of a war hero, providing all sorts of tech and other resources to the anti-invasion effort.But back then, he complied with this request, though not at all happily—and it sounds like that unhappiness was probably justified, though there are still some classified documents on the matter that maybe say otherwise; we don't know for sure publicly right now.In any event, he and Noosphere sold most of their stake in Firefly to a US company called AE Industrial Partners, and the following year, in 2022 it successfully launched, for the first time, its Alpha rocket, intended to be its core launch option for small satellite, rideshare-style customers.The satellites placed in orbit by that first launch didn't reach their intended height, so while the rocket made it into orbit, another launch, where the satellites were placed where they were supposed to go, actually happened in 2023, is generally considered to be the first, true successful launch of the Alpha rocket.All of which is interesting because this component of the larger space industry has been heating up; SpaceX has dominated, soaking up most of the oxygen in the room and claiming the lion's share of available contracts. But there are quite a few private space companies from around the world profitably launching rockets at a rapid cadence, these days. And many of them are using the same general model of inexpensive rideshare rockets carrying smaller satellites into orbit, and the money from those launches then funds their other explorations, ranging from government mission components like rovers, to plans for futuristic space stations that might someday replace the aging International Space Station, to larger rockets and launch craft that might further reduce the cost of launching stuff into space, while also potentially serving as in-orbit or off-planet habitations—as is the case with SpaceX's massive Starship craft.This is also notable, though, because Firefly launched a lander as part of its Blue Ghost mission, to the Moon on January 15 of 2025. That craft reached the moon, and successfully soft-landed there, on March 2 the same year.This lander was partly funded by that aforementioned 2021 Artemis award by NASA—it ultimately received just over $100 million from the agency to conduct this mission—and it was launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, as the company's own Alpha rockets don't yet have the right specs to launch their lander, the Blue Ghost M1; which interestingly shared space in this rocket with another lander produced by a Japanese company called ispace, whose name you might recognize, as ispace managed to get a previous lunar lander, the Hakuto-R 1, to the moon in 2023, but communication was lost with the craft a few seconds before it was scheduled to land. It was confirmed later that year that the lander crashed; though again, even just getting something to the moon is a pretty impressive feat.So this SpaceX rocket, launched in mid-January of 2025, had two competing lunar landers on it, one made by Firefly and one made by ispace. That latter lander is scheduled to arrive on the surface sometime in early May of this year, though that might change, based on all sorts of variables. But the former, Firefly's Blue Ghost, successfully touched-down, soft-landing on the lunar surface on March 2.There's another lander from Intuitive Machines—the American company that can claim to be the first to successfully soft-land on the lunar surface, but whose first effort tipped over. Their new lander could arrive as soon as March 6, just days after Blue Ghost, and it'll be aiming for an area just 100 miles from the moon's south pole; an area that's of particular interest because of water ice contained in permanently shadowed areas thereabouts, which could be vital for long-term human occupation of the moon.So things are heating up on the lunar surface these days, but soft-landing something on the moon is still an accomplishment that few nations, much less private companies, have managed.In the past decade alone, India, Russia, and a nonprofit based in Israel have attempted and failed to achieve soft-landings, and those aforementioned Japanese and US companies managed to soft-land on the moon, but their landers tipped over, limiting the amount of research they could conduct once there. China is the only nation to have successfully achieved this feat on their first attempt, and they benefitted from decades of preexisting research and engineering know-how.And it's not surprising that this is such a rare feat: in addition to the incredible distances involved, the Blue Ghost lander was traveling at around 3,800 mph, which is more than 6,100 kpm just 11 minutes before it landed. It then had to slow itself down, while also adjusting its orientation in order to safely land on an uneven, crater-paved moonscape; it slowed to the pace of a slow walk just before it touched down.Science-wise, this lander is carrying tools that will help it measure the stickiness of regolith on different materials, that will allow for more precise measurements of the distance between earth and the moon, and that will help researchers study solar winds, radiation-tolerant technologies, and the moon's mantle. It has equipment that allowed it to detect GPS and Galileo signals from earth, which suggests these satellites might be used by craft and rovers on the moon, for navigation, at some point, and it has a drill that will allow it to penetrate the lunar regolith up to nine feet deep, among several other project assets.This has also served as a sort of proof of concept for this lander and mission type, as another Blue Ghost lander is scheduled to launch in 2026, that one aiming for the far side of the moon, with a third currently meant to head out in 2028, destined for a currently under-explored volcanic region.The aggregate goal of these US missions, alongside the research tools they deliver, is to eventually start building-out and supplying the necessary infrastructure for long-term human occupation of the moon, culminating with the construction of a permanently crewed base there.These sorts of ambitions aren't new, but this approach—funding companies to handle a lot of the legwork, rather than keeping those sorts of efforts in-house, within NASA—is novel, and it arguably recognizes the nature of the moment, which is increasingly defined by cheaper and cheaper, and in most ways better and better offerings by private space companies, while those deployed by NASA are still really solid and impressive, but incredibly slow and expensive to develop and deploy, in comparison.This is also happening at a moment of heightened geopolitical competition in space, and one in which private entities are equipping the nation states that would have traditionally dominates this industry.China's space agency has enjoyed a flurry of moon-related successes in recent years, and many of these missions have relied at least in part on efforts by private, or pseudo-private, as tends to be the case in China, companies.Business entities from all over the world are also regularly making the satellites and probes and components of landers that make these things work, so solar system exploration and space travel are no longer the exclusive wheelhouses of government agencies—the private sector is becoming a lot more influential in this area, and that's led to some novel security issues, alongside massive swings in influence and power for the folks running these companies: perhaps most notably SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's increasing sway over governments and even inter-governmental conflict, due in part to his company's space launch capabilities, and their capacity to beam internet down to conflict zones, earthside, via their StarLink satellite array.So this is an area that's heating up, both for earthbound and space-faring reasons, and the incentives and peculiarities of the private market are increasingly shaping the type of research and missions being conducted, while also changing the math of what's possible, how quickly, and maybe even what level of risk is acceptable within a given mission or program.Show Noteshttps://www.cnn.com/science/live-news/moon-landing-blue-ghost-03-02-25/index.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakuto-R_Mission_1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakuto-R_Mission_2https://spacenews.com/ae-industrial-partners-to-acquire-stake-in-firefly-from-noosphere/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_programhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly_Alphahttps://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-selects-firefly-aerospace-for-artemis-commercial-moon-delivery-in-2023/https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/22/18234604/firefly-aerospace-cape-canaveral-florida-launch-site-slc-20https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25861-next-generation-of-space-cowboys-get-ready-to-fly/https://apnews.com/article/moon-landings-failures-successes-545ea2f3ffa5a15893054b6f43bdbb98https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/01/science/blue-ghost-firefly-mission-1-moon-landing.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly_Aerospacehttps://www.space.com/the-universe/moon/were-on-the-moon-private-blue-ghost-moon-lander-aces-historic-lunar-landing-for-nasahttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd9208qv1kzohttps://www.reuters.com/technology/space/us-firm-fireflys-blue-ghost-moon-lander-locks-lunar-touchdown-2025-03-02/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/science/intuitive-machines-second-moon-landing-launch-how-to-watch.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_south_polehttps://www.livescience.com/space/the-moon/how-far-away-is-the-moonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landinghttps://www.space.com/12841-moon-exploration-lunar-mission-timeline.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_24 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Dan Hart left his 34-year career at Boeing to embark on a new adventure as CEO of Virgin Orbit. Working for Richard Branson's startup was the opportunity of a lifetime during the heyday of new space, and the company enjoyed a string of successes before the company filed for bankruptcy in April 2023. The 1969 moon landing had a big impact on Dan in his early years and he simply cold called NASA to see if he could get a job! To his luck, they answered and he found his way to Kennedy Space Centre. The Challenger accident occurred in January 1986 and it impacted all the individuals in the industry and halted the programme for a number of years. Dan himself watched the events unfold with his team and they were all reminded of the dangers of the work they were involved in. It was in 2016 that Dan was asked to take on the CEO role of Virgin Orbit. Dan had been following the recent space race developments and Virgin Orbit working along side Richard Branson was an appealing challenge. Note: Virgin Orbit was set up to launch satellites whereas Virgin Galactic was focused on space tourism. Virgin Orbit was trying to be the first to launch a liquid rocket off the wing of an aeroplane. The X1 and X15 many years ago had been liquid propelled but none had been orbital. A liquid rocket is a complicated machine with multiple variables and unknowns. The legacy of the space industry was the compelling reason Dan said yes to Virgin Orbit with high risk and high reward on the agenda. Why is space so compelling for iconic billionaires such as Branson, Musk and Bezos? Dan considers it to be the potential for limitless learning, legacy and impactful world changing technologies and scientific breakthroughs. Dan remains excited as to the developments in space science such as expeditions to Jupiter and Mars to enhance our ability to understand the universe. Dan explains moving from Boeing to Virgin felt liberating as he took charge of a small, agile start up with a mandate to reinvent from the go. Great technical talent met creativity so anything was now possible. I ask Dan what it was like working shoulder to shoulder with Richard Branson? Dan talks about Richard's, awareness, inquisitive nature and visionary qualities allowing others to flourish and thrive. As CEO Dan needed to be the positive drive for others to push for achieving the never achieved before but also mindful of the lessons of the past, such as Challenger. Dan was involved in projects where they were 'punching above their weight' due to the attractiveness of the space industry. Virgin Orbit was invited to the G7 Summit in 2021 and worked with Prime Minister Boris Johnson for the first launch ever from the UK. There was no 'playbook' for this type of event and adventure. Dan tells the story when he feared his team could be arrested by the police from continuing the project as the explosive charges of the rocket were being considered as manufacturing ordnance. Whilst these things slowed the project down, the team found the resilience to overcome all obstacles. Virgin Orbit launched successfully 4 times in a row which was a huge achievement for a new start up in the sector. They also experienced significant failures along the way as failure was inevitable. Dan remembers after one failure, Richard Branson immediately said to him, 'when's the next ride going to be ready?' A leader's ability to bounce back allowed for the whole team to move on to thinking about tomorrow and not just the failure of today. As the CEO Dan remembers the times when he was there to push and motivate the team and yet he also remembers those times when the team pushed and motivated him. When Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy in 2023 Dan reflected on the group of people who achieved so much in the knowledge that they changed space technology for the better. "Everything pulls us forward, even when the lights go out behind you."

It's a question that rivals the meaning of life itself: which is better, Star Trek or Star Wars? Of course, they are very different, and that's really the core of it--one is a sweeping fantasy adventure incorporating the "Hero's Journey," while the other is a science fantasy wrapped around a morality play. In the end, we love them both. But there is a bit of cultural (and perhaps generation) divide here, and someone has to put Tariq in his place. Join us for this civilization-shattering conversation! Headlines: NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft, now 12.8 billion miles from Earth, had to shut down its plasma science instrument due to power constraints. The instrument was the last of its kind still functioning on either Voyager spacecraft. United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its second Vulcan Centaur rocket, despite an apparent nozzle failure on one of the solid rocket boosters. The rocket carried a mass simulator in place of the delayed Dream Chaser spaceplane. The Sun unleashed an X9.05 solar flare, the strongest directed at Earth since 2017. The resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) could potentially trigger intense auroras visible at lower latitudes this weekend. Main Topic - Star Trek vs. Star Wars: Rod and Tariq share their personal experiences with both franchises, discussing their first encounters with Star Trek and Star Wars and how the franchises have evolved. They compare the intellectual aspects of both universes, with Star Trek often focusing on morality plays and Star Wars being more of a fun, fantasy-driven space opera. The hosts discuss the acting in both franchises, highlighting standout performances and the impact of certain characters and actors. They examine the iconic spaceships from each universe, noting that Star Trek ships like the Enterprise are more recognizable and have had a more significant cultural impact compared to Star Wars ships, with the exception of the Millennium Falcon. Rod and Tariq argue that Star Wars has had a more significant impact on popular culture, while Star Trek has been more influential in inspiring real-life space exploration and scientific careers. They conclude that both franchises have their merits and have played essential roles in getting people excited about space and science fiction. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

It's a question that rivals the meaning of life itself: which is better, Star Trek or Star Wars? Of course, they are very different, and that's really the core of it--one is a sweeping fantasy adventure incorporating the "Hero's Journey," while the other is a science fantasy wrapped around a morality play. In the end, we love them both. But there is a bit of cultural (and perhaps generation) divide here, and someone has to put Tariq in his place. Join us for this civilization-shattering conversation! Headlines: NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft, now 12.8 billion miles from Earth, had to shut down its plasma science instrument due to power constraints. The instrument was the last of its kind still functioning on either Voyager spacecraft. United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its second Vulcan Centaur rocket, despite an apparent nozzle failure on one of the solid rocket boosters. The rocket carried a mass simulator in place of the delayed Dream Chaser spaceplane. The Sun unleashed an X9.05 solar flare, the strongest directed at Earth since 2017. The resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) could potentially trigger intense auroras visible at lower latitudes this weekend. Main Topic - Star Trek vs. Star Wars: Rod and Tariq share their personal experiences with both franchises, discussing their first encounters with Star Trek and Star Wars and how the franchises have evolved. They compare the intellectual aspects of both universes, with Star Trek often focusing on morality plays and Star Wars being more of a fun, fantasy-driven space opera. The hosts discuss the acting in both franchises, highlighting standout performances and the impact of certain characters and actors. They examine the iconic spaceships from each universe, noting that Star Trek ships like the Enterprise are more recognizable and have had a more significant cultural impact compared to Star Wars ships, with the exception of the Millennium Falcon. Rod and Tariq argue that Star Wars has had a more significant impact on popular culture, while Star Trek has been more influential in inspiring real-life space exploration and scientific careers. They conclude that both franchises have their merits and have played essential roles in getting people excited about space and science fiction. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

It's a question that rivals the meaning of life itself: which is better, Star Trek or Star Wars? Of course, they are very different, and that's really the core of it--one is a sweeping fantasy adventure incorporating the "Hero's Journey," while the other is a science fantasy wrapped around a morality play. In the end, we love them both. But there is a bit of cultural (and perhaps generation) divide here, and someone has to put Tariq in his place. Join us for this civilization-shattering conversation! Headlines: NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft, now 12.8 billion miles from Earth, had to shut down its plasma science instrument due to power constraints. The instrument was the last of its kind still functioning on either Voyager spacecraft. United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its second Vulcan Centaur rocket, despite an apparent nozzle failure on one of the solid rocket boosters. The rocket carried a mass simulator in place of the delayed Dream Chaser spaceplane. The Sun unleashed an X9.05 solar flare, the strongest directed at Earth since 2017. The resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) could potentially trigger intense auroras visible at lower latitudes this weekend. Main Topic - Star Trek vs. Star Wars: Rod and Tariq share their personal experiences with both franchises, discussing their first encounters with Star Trek and Star Wars and how the franchises have evolved. They compare the intellectual aspects of both universes, with Star Trek often focusing on morality plays and Star Wars being more of a fun, fantasy-driven space opera. The hosts discuss the acting in both franchises, highlighting standout performances and the impact of certain characters and actors. They examine the iconic spaceships from each universe, noting that Star Trek ships like the Enterprise are more recognizable and have had a more significant cultural impact compared to Star Wars ships, with the exception of the Millennium Falcon. Rod and Tariq argue that Star Wars has had a more significant impact on popular culture, while Star Trek has been more influential in inspiring real-life space exploration and scientific careers. They conclude that both franchises have their merits and have played essential roles in getting people excited about space and science fiction. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

It's a question that rivals the meaning of life itself: which is better, Star Trek or Star Wars? Of course, they are very different, and that's really the core of it--one is a sweeping fantasy adventure incorporating the "Hero's Journey," while the other is a science fantasy wrapped around a morality play. In the end, we love them both. But there is a bit of cultural (and perhaps generation) divide here, and someone has to put Tariq in his place. Join us for this civilization-shattering conversation! Headlines: NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft, now 12.8 billion miles from Earth, had to shut down its plasma science instrument due to power constraints. The instrument was the last of its kind still functioning on either Voyager spacecraft. United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its second Vulcan Centaur rocket, despite an apparent nozzle failure on one of the solid rocket boosters. The rocket carried a mass simulator in place of the delayed Dream Chaser spaceplane. The Sun unleashed an X9.05 solar flare, the strongest directed at Earth since 2017. The resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) could potentially trigger intense auroras visible at lower latitudes this weekend. Main Topic - Star Trek vs. Star Wars: Rod and Tariq share their personal experiences with both franchises, discussing their first encounters with Star Trek and Star Wars and how the franchises have evolved. They compare the intellectual aspects of both universes, with Star Trek often focusing on morality plays and Star Wars being more of a fun, fantasy-driven space opera. The hosts discuss the acting in both franchises, highlighting standout performances and the impact of certain characters and actors. They examine the iconic spaceships from each universe, noting that Star Trek ships like the Enterprise are more recognizable and have had a more significant cultural impact compared to Star Wars ships, with the exception of the Millennium Falcon. Rod and Tariq argue that Star Wars has had a more significant impact on popular culture, while Star Trek has been more influential in inspiring real-life space exploration and scientific careers. They conclude that both franchises have their merits and have played essential roles in getting people excited about space and science fiction. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Devon Island, a polar desert in the High Arctic, is one of the most convincing Mars analogs on Earth. That's why Pascal Lee built his NASA-affiliated research base there. On this episode he returns to discuss his summer field work, Martian volcanoes, and to discuss possible alternatives to NASA's plans for the Artemis lunar base.There's a lot to know, and he brings deep passion—and some controversy—to the conversation! Headlines: Polaris Dawn mission success: The crew completed the first-ever commercial spacewalk, with all four members exposed to the vacuum of space. SpaceX FAA dispute: The company faces potential fines of $630,000 for alleged launch violations, leading to a heated exchange between SpaceX and the FAA. Mars volcano discovery: Researchers found evidence of a 1000-mile wide magma plume under Olympus Mons, raising questions about potential volcanic activity on Mars. Main Topic - Lunar Exploration and Artemis Program: Dr. Pascal Lee's summer research at the Houghton Mars Project Field Station: The team tested drilling equipment for future lunar missions and explored the use of drones for Mars helicopter simulations. Critique of current Artemis program strategy: Dr. Lee argues that focusing on sortie missions to the South Pole is premature and potentially counterproductive. Alternative base location proposal: Clavius Crater is suggested as a more suitable site for a lunar base, offering scientific value and better logistics. Water extraction challenges: Dr. Lee discusses the complexities and uncertainties surrounding water ice extraction at the lunar South Pole. Starship as a water delivery system: The potential for using SpaceX's Starship to deliver large quantities of clean water to the Moon is explored. Importance of establishing a fixed base: Dr. Lee emphasizes the need for a stable infrastructure to support long-term lunar exploration and science. Power concerns for lunar bases: The limitations of solar power are discussed, with nuclear power suggested as a more viable option for long-term operations. International competition considerations: The episode touches on how other countries' lunar ambitions might influence NASA's plans. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Pascal Lee Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: betterhelp.com/TWIS veeam.com

Devon Island, a polar desert in the High Arctic, is one of the most convincing Mars analogs on Earth. That's why Pascal Lee built his NASA-affiliated research base there. On this episode he returns to discuss his summer field work, Martian volcanoes, and to discuss possible alternatives to NASA's plans for the Artemis lunar base.There's a lot to know, and he brings deep passion—and some controversy—to the conversation! Headlines: Polaris Dawn mission success: The crew completed the first-ever commercial spacewalk, with all four members exposed to the vacuum of space. SpaceX FAA dispute: The company faces potential fines of $630,000 for alleged launch violations, leading to a heated exchange between SpaceX and the FAA. Mars volcano discovery: Researchers found evidence of a 1000-mile wide magma plume under Olympus Mons, raising questions about potential volcanic activity on Mars. Main Topic - Lunar Exploration and Artemis Program: Dr. Pascal Lee's summer research at the Houghton Mars Project Field Station: The team tested drilling equipment for future lunar missions and explored the use of drones for Mars helicopter simulations. Critique of current Artemis program strategy: Dr. Lee argues that focusing on sortie missions to the South Pole is premature and potentially counterproductive. Alternative base location proposal: Clavius Crater is suggested as a more suitable site for a lunar base, offering scientific value and better logistics. Water extraction challenges: Dr. Lee discusses the complexities and uncertainties surrounding water ice extraction at the lunar South Pole. Starship as a water delivery system: The potential for using SpaceX's Starship to deliver large quantities of clean water to the Moon is explored. Importance of establishing a fixed base: Dr. Lee emphasizes the need for a stable infrastructure to support long-term lunar exploration and science. Power concerns for lunar bases: The limitations of solar power are discussed, with nuclear power suggested as a more viable option for long-term operations. International competition considerations: The episode touches on how other countries' lunar ambitions might influence NASA's plans. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Pascal Lee Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: betterhelp.com/TWIS veeam.com

Devon Island, a polar desert in the High Arctic, is one of the most convincing Mars analogs on Earth. That's why Pascal Lee built his NASA-affiliated research base there. On this episode he returns to discuss his summer field work, Martian volcanoes, and to discuss possible alternatives to NASA's plans for the Artemis lunar base.There's a lot to know, and he brings deep passion—and some controversy—to the conversation! Headlines: Polaris Dawn mission success: The crew completed the first-ever commercial spacewalk, with all four members exposed to the vacuum of space. SpaceX FAA dispute: The company faces potential fines of $630,000 for alleged launch violations, leading to a heated exchange between SpaceX and the FAA. Mars volcano discovery: Researchers found evidence of a 1000-mile wide magma plume under Olympus Mons, raising questions about potential volcanic activity on Mars. Main Topic - Lunar Exploration and Artemis Program: Dr. Pascal Lee's summer research at the Houghton Mars Project Field Station: The team tested drilling equipment for future lunar missions and explored the use of drones for Mars helicopter simulations. Critique of current Artemis program strategy: Dr. Lee argues that focusing on sortie missions to the South Pole is premature and potentially counterproductive. Alternative base location proposal: Clavius Crater is suggested as a more suitable site for a lunar base, offering scientific value and better logistics. Water extraction challenges: Dr. Lee discusses the complexities and uncertainties surrounding water ice extraction at the lunar South Pole. Starship as a water delivery system: The potential for using SpaceX's Starship to deliver large quantities of clean water to the Moon is explored. Importance of establishing a fixed base: Dr. Lee emphasizes the need for a stable infrastructure to support long-term lunar exploration and science. Power concerns for lunar bases: The limitations of solar power are discussed, with nuclear power suggested as a more viable option for long-term operations. International competition considerations: The episode touches on how other countries' lunar ambitions might influence NASA's plans. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Pascal Lee Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: betterhelp.com/TWIS veeam.com

Devon Island, a polar desert in the High Arctic, is one of the most convincing Mars analogs on Earth. That's why Pascal Lee built his NASA-affiliated research base there. On this episode he returns to discuss his summer field work, Martian volcanoes, and to discuss possible alternatives to NASA's plans for the Artemis lunar base.There's a lot to know, and he brings deep passion—and some controversy—to the conversation! Headlines: Polaris Dawn mission success: The crew completed the first-ever commercial spacewalk, with all four members exposed to the vacuum of space. SpaceX FAA dispute: The company faces potential fines of $630,000 for alleged launch violations, leading to a heated exchange between SpaceX and the FAA. Mars volcano discovery: Researchers found evidence of a 1000-mile wide magma plume under Olympus Mons, raising questions about potential volcanic activity on Mars. Main Topic - Lunar Exploration and Artemis Program: Dr. Pascal Lee's summer research at the Houghton Mars Project Field Station: The team tested drilling equipment for future lunar missions and explored the use of drones for Mars helicopter simulations. Critique of current Artemis program strategy: Dr. Lee argues that focusing on sortie missions to the South Pole is premature and potentially counterproductive. Alternative base location proposal: Clavius Crater is suggested as a more suitable site for a lunar base, offering scientific value and better logistics. Water extraction challenges: Dr. Lee discusses the complexities and uncertainties surrounding water ice extraction at the lunar South Pole. Starship as a water delivery system: The potential for using SpaceX's Starship to deliver large quantities of clean water to the Moon is explored. Importance of establishing a fixed base: Dr. Lee emphasizes the need for a stable infrastructure to support long-term lunar exploration and science. Power concerns for lunar bases: The limitations of solar power are discussed, with nuclear power suggested as a more viable option for long-term operations. International competition considerations: The episode touches on how other countries' lunar ambitions might influence NASA's plans. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Pascal Lee Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: betterhelp.com/TWIS veeam.com

Czarina Salido, a physics graduate of mixed Mexican and Native American heritage, founded Taking Up Space in 2014. This nonprofit aims to address the underrepresentation of women, particularly Native American girls, in STEM fields. Based near Tucson, the organization provides mentoring, instruction, and Space Camp scholarships to disadvantaged girls on a nearby reservation. Salido's initiative has gained recognition in the STEM community and inspired similar efforts nationwide. Join us as we discuss her work's challenges and successes in this episode of This Week in Space! Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Czarina Salido Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Czarina Salido, a physics graduate of mixed Mexican and Native American heritage, founded Taking Up Space in 2014. This nonprofit aims to address the underrepresentation of women, particularly Native American girls, in STEM fields. Based near Tucson, the organization provides mentoring, instruction, and Space Camp scholarships to disadvantaged girls on a nearby reservation. Salido's initiative has gained recognition in the STEM community and inspired similar efforts nationwide. Join us as we discuss her work's challenges and successes in this episode of This Week in Space! Headlines: Starliner Update: NASA still undecided on whether astronauts will return on Starliner or SpaceX Dragon, with a decision expected within a week. SpaceX FRAM-2 Mission: A private polar orbit mission funded by cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, scheduled for later this year, inspired by polar expeditions. Upcoming Super Blue Moon: A rare celestial event combining a supermoon and blue moon, visible from August 19-21. Main Topic - Taking Up Space with Czarina Salido: Organization Overview: Taking Up Space is an astronaut-supported nonprofit helping Native American girls aged 8-16 enter STEM fields. Program Structure: 16-32 week programs combining STEM education, cultural awareness, and confidence-building activities. Space Camp Experience: Students earn trips to Space Camp, gaining hands-on experience with space technology and simulations. Cultural Integration: Lessons incorporate indigenous values, storytelling, and traditional knowledge alongside STEM concepts. Challenges Addressed: The program aims to combat high dropout, suicide, and murder rates among Native American youth and women. Funding and Support: The organization relies on astronaut involvement, fundraisers, and community support, with Space Hipsters providing significant backing. Future Plans: Salido hopes to establish a Space Camp in Tucson and create a database of indigenized STEM lessons for wider use. Personal Growth: Salido shares how the program has helped her reconnect with her own indigenous heritage. Upcoming Projects: A book collaboration with astronaut Hoot Gibson and an event with Terry Virts in January 2025. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Czarina Salido Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Czarina Salido, a physics graduate of mixed Mexican and Native American heritage, founded Taking Up Space in 2014. This nonprofit aims to address the underrepresentation of women, particularly Native American girls, in STEM fields. Based near Tucson, the organization provides mentoring, instruction, and Space Camp scholarships to disadvantaged girls on a nearby reservation. Salido's initiative has gained recognition in the STEM community and inspired similar efforts nationwide. Join us as we discuss her work's challenges and successes in this episode of This Week in Space! Headlines: Starliner Update: NASA still undecided on whether astronauts will return on Starliner or SpaceX Dragon, with a decision expected within a week. SpaceX FRAM-2 Mission: A private polar orbit mission funded by cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, scheduled for later this year, inspired by polar expeditions. Upcoming Super Blue Moon: A rare celestial event combining a supermoon and blue moon, visible from August 19-21. Main Topic - Taking Up Space with Czarina Salido: Organization Overview: Taking Up Space is an astronaut-supported nonprofit helping Native American girls aged 8-16 enter STEM fields. Program Structure: 16-32 week programs combining STEM education, cultural awareness, and confidence-building activities. Space Camp Experience: Students earn trips to Space Camp, gaining hands-on experience with space technology and simulations. Cultural Integration: Lessons incorporate indigenous values, storytelling, and traditional knowledge alongside STEM concepts. Challenges Addressed: The program aims to combat high dropout, suicide, and murder rates among Native American youth and women. Funding and Support: The organization relies on astronaut involvement, fundraisers, and community support, with Space Hipsters providing significant backing. Future Plans: Salido hopes to establish a Space Camp in Tucson and create a database of indigenized STEM lessons for wider use. Personal Growth: Salido shares how the program has helped her reconnect with her own indigenous heritage. Upcoming Projects: A book collaboration with astronaut Hoot Gibson and an event with Terry Virts in January 2025. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Czarina Salido Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Czarina Salido, a physics graduate of mixed Mexican and Native American heritage, founded Taking Up Space in 2014. This nonprofit aims to address the underrepresentation of women, particularly Native American girls, in STEM fields. Based near Tucson, the organization provides mentoring, instruction, and Space Camp scholarships to disadvantaged girls on a nearby reservation. Salido's initiative has gained recognition in the STEM community and inspired similar efforts nationwide. Join us as we discuss her work's challenges and successes in this episode of This Week in Space! Headlines: Starliner Update: NASA still undecided on whether astronauts will return on Starliner or SpaceX Dragon, with a decision expected within a week. SpaceX FRAM-2 Mission: A private polar orbit mission funded by cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, scheduled for later this year, inspired by polar expeditions. Upcoming Super Blue Moon: A rare celestial event combining a supermoon and blue moon, visible from August 19-21. Main Topic - Taking Up Space with Czarina Salido: Organization Overview: Taking Up Space is an astronaut-supported nonprofit helping Native American girls aged 8-16 enter STEM fields. Program Structure: 16-32 week programs combining STEM education, cultural awareness, and confidence-building activities. Space Camp Experience: Students earn trips to Space Camp, gaining hands-on experience with space technology and simulations. Cultural Integration: Lessons incorporate indigenous values, storytelling, and traditional knowledge alongside STEM concepts. Challenges Addressed: The program aims to combat high dropout, suicide, and murder rates among Native American youth and women. Funding and Support: The organization relies on astronaut involvement, fundraisers, and community support, with Space Hipsters providing significant backing. Future Plans: Salido hopes to establish a Space Camp in Tucson and create a database of indigenized STEM lessons for wider use. Personal Growth: Salido shares how the program has helped her reconnect with her own indigenous heritage. Upcoming Projects: A book collaboration with astronaut Hoot Gibson and an event with Terry Virts in January 2025. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Czarina Salido Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Each year, there are a handful of impressive meteor showers, and one of the largest and best this year will be the Perseids. The quarter moon will set just before midnight, when the shower activity peaks, and if you're in a dark spot expect to see maybe 50-60 shooting stars per hour. Steve Fentress, veteran astronomer and planetarium director, joins us to provide viewing tips, a meteor shower, and star lore over the ages, and more. Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Isaac Arthur Guest: Steve Fentress Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Each year, there are a handful of impressive meteor showers, and one of the largest and best this year will be the Perseids. The quarter moon will set just before midnight, when the shower activity peaks, and if you're in a dark spot expect to see maybe 50-60 shooting stars per hour. Steve Fentress, veteran astronomer and planetarium director, joins us to provide viewing tips, a meteor shower, and star lore over the ages, and more. Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Isaac Arthur Guest: Steve Fentress Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Each year, there are a handful of impressive meteor showers, and one of the largest and best this year will be the Perseids. The quarter moon will set just before midnight, when the shower activity peaks, and if you're in a dark spot expect to see maybe 50-60 shooting stars per hour. Steve Fentress, veteran astronomer and planetarium director, joins us to provide viewing tips, a meteor shower, and star lore over the ages, and more. Headlines: Starliner - Boeing's Starliner spacecraft continues to face issues, with some experts questioning whether the program will continue after the current mission - NASA's recent press conferences regarding Starliner have been criticized for lack of clarity and transparency - SpaceX's Crew Dragon may become the sole provider of crew transportation to the International Space Station if Starliner's problems persist Main Topic: The Perseid Meteor Shower - The Perseid meteor shower, peaking around August 12th, is expected to be especially impressive this year due to favorable moon conditions - Observers can expect to see up to one or two meteors per minute under dark sky conditions - The Perseids are created by debris left behind by comet 109P Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 133 years - Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli first identified the connection between the Perseids and comet Swift-Tuttle in the 19th century - The colors observed in meteors are caused by different chemical elements in the meteoroids and Earth's atmosphere - Steve Fentress shares the fascinating history of meteor shower observations and their connection to comets - Tips for observing the Perseids include finding a dark location, dressing warmly, and watching the sky between 3 AM and dawn - The future of planetariums lies in becoming valuable community resources and embracing new technologies to create engaging experiences for visitors - Steve Fentress discusses his book "Sky to Space" and his new podcast, "The Forgotten Bookshelf," which features interesting and obscure topics from old books Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Isaac Arthur Guest: Steve Fentress Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Each year, there are a handful of impressive meteor showers, and one of the largest and best this year will be the Perseids. The quarter moon will set just before midnight, when the shower activity peaks, and if you're in a dark spot expect to see maybe 50-60 shooting stars per hour. Steve Fentress, veteran astronomer and planetarium director, joins us to provide viewing tips, a meteor shower, and star lore over the ages, and more. Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Isaac Arthur Guest: Steve Fentress Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

It's been said that Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids, and that's certainly the assertion of the popular 2023 book, "A City on Mars" by Kelly and Zack Weinersmith. In fact, they question the future of settling humans off Earth in its entirety. Certainly, it will be challenging, but is it impossible? Are there reasons we should not go? We gathered together two of our favorite experts on the topic, Dale Skran, the COO and SVP of the National Space Society, and Mr. YouTube himself, Isaac Arthur—who has produced maybe 100 hours or more of well-regarded videos on the subject—to discuss the book and our prospects for rational, realistic space settlement plans. Join us! "A City on Mars" takes a skeptical and humorous look at space settlement, questioning our readiness for having children in space, building space farms, and creating independent space nations. Dale Skran wrote a comprehensive 40,000-word review of the book, acknowledging its depth while disagreeing with many of its conclusions. He believes the book represents the current stage of opposition to the increasingly realistic prospect of space settlement. The hosts discuss the potential benefits and resources available in space, with Dale and Isaac emphasizing the vast opportunities and the need for reasonable regulation to facilitate space development. The challenges of human reproduction in space are examined, with the hosts agreeing on the importance of further research and the need for artificial gravity experiments on space stations. The potential for conflict and war in space is explored, with Dale arguing that space settlements will likely be more resilient and less vulnerable than Earth-based cities due to their designed defenses against natural and artificial threats. The hosts critique the book's pessimistic view of space settlement and its suggestion to wait centuries until humanity has solved all its problems before venturing into space. They argue that space development and solving Earth's issues can and should happen concurrently. Dale Skran highlights an interesting idea from the book: the possibility of a dual life cycle for settlers, with reproduction occurring in 1G spin gravity settlements while adults spend much of their time working in low-gravity environments like the Moon or Mars. Get "A City on Mars": https://amzn.to/3LWMhY1 Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Isaac Arthur Guest: Dale Skran Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

It's been said that Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids, and that's certainly the assertion of the popular 2023 book, "A City on Mars" by Kelly and Zack Weinersmith. In fact, they question the future of settling humans off-Earth in its entirety. Certainly it will be challenging, but is it impossible? Are there reasons we should not go? We gathered together two of our favorite experts on the topic, Dale Skran, the COO and SVP of the National Space Society, and Mr. Youtube himself, Isaac Arthur—who has produced maybe 100 hours or more of well-regarded videos on the subject—to discuss the book and our prospects for rational, realistic space settlement plans. Join us! "A City on Mars" takes a skeptical and humorous look at space settlement, questioning our readiness for having children in space, building space farms, and creating independent space nations. Dale Skran wrote a comprehensive 40,000-word review of the book, acknowledging its depth while disagreeing with many of its conclusions. He believes the book represents the current stage of opposition to the increasingly realistic prospect of space settlement. The hosts discuss the potential benefits and resources available in space, with Dale and Isaac emphasizing the vast opportunities and the need for reasonable regulation to facilitate space development. The challenges of human reproduction in space are examined, with the hosts agreeing on the importance of further research and the need for artificial gravity experiments on space stations. The potential for conflict and war in space is explored, with Dale arguing that space settlements will likely be more resilient and less vulnerable than Earth-based cities due to their designed defenses against natural and artificial threats. The hosts critique the book's pessimistic view of space settlement and its suggestion to wait centuries until humanity has solved all its problems before venturing into space. They argue that space development and solving Earth's issues can and should happen concurrently. Dale Skran highlights an interesting idea from the book: the possibility of a dual life cycle for settlers, with reproduction occurring in 1G spin gravity settlements while adults spend much of their time working in low-gravity environments like the Moon or Mars. Get "A City on Mars": https://amzn.to/3LWMhY1 Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Isaac Arthur Guest: Dale Skran Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

It's been said that Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids, and that's certainly the assertion of the popular 2023 book, "A City on Mars" by Kelly and Zack Weinersmith. In fact, they question the future of settling humans off Earth in its entirety. Certainly, it will be challenging, but is it impossible? Are there reasons we should not go? We gathered together two of our favorite experts on the topic, Dale Skran, the COO and SVP of the National Space Society, and Mr. YouTube himself, Isaac Arthur—who has produced maybe 100 hours or more of well-regarded videos on the subject—to discuss the book and our prospects for rational, realistic space settlement plans. Join us! "A City on Mars" takes a skeptical and humorous look at space settlement, questioning our readiness for having children in space, building space farms, and creating independent space nations. Dale Skran wrote a comprehensive 40,000-word review of the book, acknowledging its depth while disagreeing with many of its conclusions. He believes the book represents the current stage of opposition to the increasingly realistic prospect of space settlement. The hosts discuss the potential benefits and resources available in space, with Dale and Isaac emphasizing the vast opportunities and the need for reasonable regulation to facilitate space development. The challenges of human reproduction in space are examined, with the hosts agreeing on the importance of further research and the need for artificial gravity experiments on space stations. The potential for conflict and war in space is explored, with Dale arguing that space settlements will likely be more resilient and less vulnerable than Earth-based cities due to their designed defenses against natural and artificial threats. The hosts critique the book's pessimistic view of space settlement and its suggestion to wait centuries until humanity has solved all its problems before venturing into space. They argue that space development and solving Earth's issues can and should happen concurrently. Dale Skran highlights an interesting idea from the book: the possibility of a dual life cycle for settlers, with reproduction occurring in 1G spin gravity settlements while adults spend much of their time working in low-gravity environments like the Moon or Mars. Get "A City on Mars": https://amzn.to/3LWMhY1 Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Isaac Arthur Guest: Dale Skran Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

It's been said that Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids, and that's certainly the assertion of the popular 2023 book, "A City on Mars" by Kelly and Zack Weinersmith. In fact, they question the future of settling humans off-Earth in its entirety. Certainly it will be challenging, but is it impossible? Are there reasons we should not go? We gathered together two of our favorite experts on the topic, Dale Skran, the COO and SVP of the National Space Society, and Mr. Youtube himself, Isaac Arthur—who has produced maybe 100 hours or more of well-regarded videos on the subject—to discuss the book and our prospects for rational, realistic space settlement plans. Join us! "A City on Mars" takes a skeptical and humorous look at space settlement, questioning our readiness for having children in space, building space farms, and creating independent space nations. Dale Skran wrote a comprehensive 40,000-word review of the book, acknowledging its depth while disagreeing with many of its conclusions. He believes the book represents the current stage of opposition to the increasingly realistic prospect of space settlement. The hosts discuss the potential benefits and resources available in space, with Dale and Isaac emphasizing the vast opportunities and the need for reasonable regulation to facilitate space development. The challenges of human reproduction in space are examined, with the hosts agreeing on the importance of further research and the need for artificial gravity experiments on space stations. The potential for conflict and war in space is explored, with Dale arguing that space settlements will likely be more resilient and less vulnerable than Earth-based cities due to their designed defenses against natural and artificial threats. The hosts critique the book's pessimistic view of space settlement and its suggestion to wait centuries until humanity has solved all its problems before venturing into space. They argue that space development and solving Earth's issues can and should happen concurrently. Dale Skran highlights an interesting idea from the book: the possibility of a dual life cycle for settlers, with reproduction occurring in 1G spin gravity settlements while adults spend much of their time working in low-gravity environments like the Moon or Mars. Get "A City on Mars": https://amzn.to/3LWMhY1 Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Isaac Arthur Guest: Dale Skran Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Oluseun Taiwo began working with Optomec's take on directed energy deposition (DED), LENS, as a student and later gained experience at Argonne National Laboratory, Rocket Lab, Arconic, Virgin Orbit, and 3D Systems. We discuss DED and the utility of this often-overlooked technology. Additionally, we examine the new space industry, application development, and the future of 3D printing. We also explore Taiwo's startup, Solideon, which merges his expertise in application development, DED, and rockets into a 3D printing solution for space.  

We all dream of a future in space, but it will take a lot of work to get there and more to make it a place we can visit and live. Of course, where there's work to be done, there's jobs to be had.Go to https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ to get a 30-day free trial and 20% off their annual subscription.Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFipeZtQM5CKUjx6grh54g/joinVisit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:Jobs in SpaceEpisode 449b; June 2, 2024Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurMusic Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creatorSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We've been waiting... and waiting... and waiting for Boeing's Starliner to fly. First selected in 2010, along with SpaceX's Crew Dragon, Starliner has been behind schedule for years. SpaceX got $2.6 billion for its six dragon flights, and Boeing received more at $4.3 billion, so you'd expect Boeing to be first to fly, right? Well, as of today, SpaceX has delivered crews to the International Space Station eight times, to Boeing's... zero. Delayed development, turbulence problems with the capsule on the Atlas launcher, stuck valves, flammable materials, and faulty parachute lines have all contributed to the delays. Boeing has flown two uncrewed missions—the first one a partial failure, with the second, funded by Boeing itself, flown to NASA's satisfaction. Now it's time to put a crew aboard. Will Boeing overcome their issues and deliver the goods? Join us. Headlines: Voyager's Return: NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory confirms reestablishment of contact with Voyager 1 after five months of silence, overcoming communication challenges over vast interstellar distances. China's Shenzhou 18 and Tiangong Space Station: China successfully launches Shenzhou 18 to the Tiangong Space Station, which was recently hit by space debris, prompting China to revamp its space debris management strategies. International Partnerships for Lunar Research: China announces new international partnerships for its International Lunar Research Station, contrasting its progress with NASA's Artemis Accords. Main Topic: Boeing Starliner's Upcoming Mission Starliner's Crewed Test Flight: A detailed discussion on Boeing's upcoming Starliner mission, highlighting the spacecraft's capabilities, the crew's preparations, and the significance of this test flight. Spacecraft and Mission Overview: Insights into the Starliner's design, the choice of Atlas V rockets for the launch, and the planned landing procedures in the southwestern United States. Crew Profiles: Focus on the astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, discussing their backgrounds, roles in the mission, and expectations for the test flight. Closing Thoughts: Rod and Tariq wrap up with final thoughts on the importance of the Starliner mission for Boeing and NASA, discussing potential outcomes and what they signify for the future of commercial spaceflight. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

We've been waiting... and waiting... and waiting for Boeing's Starliner to fly. First selected in 2010, along with SpaceX's Crew Dragon, Starliner has been behind schedule for years. SpaceX got $2.6 billion for its six dragon flights, and Boeing received more at $4.3 billion, so you'd expect Boeing to be first to fly, right? Well, as of today, SpaceX has delivered crews to the International Space Station eight times, to Boeing's... zero. Delayed development, turbulence problems with the capsule on the Atlas launcher, stuck valves, flammable materials, and faulty parachute lines have all contributed to the delays. Boeing has flown two uncrewed missions—the first one a partial failure, with the second, funded by Boeing itself, flown to NASA's satisfaction. Now it's time to put a crew aboard. Will Boeing overcome their issues and deliver the goods? Join us. Headlines: Voyager's Return: NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory confirms reestablishment of contact with Voyager 1 after five months of silence, overcoming communication challenges over vast interstellar distances. China's Shenzhou 18 and Tiangong Space Station: China successfully launches Shenzhou 18 to the Tiangong Space Station, which was recently hit by space debris, prompting China to revamp its space debris management strategies. International Partnerships for Lunar Research: China announces new international partnerships for its International Lunar Research Station, contrasting its progress with NASA's Artemis Accords. Main Topic: Boeing Starliner's Upcoming Mission Starliner's Crewed Test Flight: A detailed discussion on Boeing's upcoming Starliner mission, highlighting the spacecraft's capabilities, the crew's preparations, and the significance of this test flight. Spacecraft and Mission Overview: Insights into the Starliner's design, the choice of Atlas V rockets for the launch, and the planned landing procedures in the southwestern United States. Crew Profiles: Focus on the astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, discussing their backgrounds, roles in the mission, and expectations for the test flight. Closing Thoughts: Rod and Tariq wrap up with final thoughts on the importance of the Starliner mission for Boeing and NASA, discussing potential outcomes and what they signify for the future of commercial spaceflight. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

We've been waiting... and waiting... and waiting for Boeing's Starliner to fly. First selected in 2010, along with SpaceX's Crew Dragon, Starliner has been behind schedule for years. SpaceX got $2.6 billion for its six dragon flights, and Boeing received more at $4.3 billion, so you'd expect Boeing to be first to fly, right? Well, as of today, SpaceX has delivered crews to the International Space Station eight times, to Boeing's... zero. Delayed development, turbulence problems with the capsule on the Atlas launcher, stuck valves, flammable materials, and faulty parachute lines have all contributed to the delays. Boeing has flown two uncrewed missions—the first one a partial failure, with the second, funded by Boeing itself, flown to NASA's satisfaction. Now it's time to put a crew aboard. Will Boeing overcome their issues and deliver the goods? Join us. Headlines: Voyager's Return: NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory confirms reestablishment of contact with Voyager 1 after five months of silence, overcoming communication challenges over vast interstellar distances. China's Shenzhou 18 and Tiangong Space Station: China successfully launches Shenzhou 18 to the Tiangong Space Station, which was recently hit by space debris, prompting China to revamp its space debris management strategies. International Partnerships for Lunar Research: China announces new international partnerships for its International Lunar Research Station, contrasting its progress with NASA's Artemis Accords. Main Topic: Boeing Starliner's Upcoming Mission Starliner's Crewed Test Flight: A detailed discussion on Boeing's upcoming Starliner mission, highlighting the spacecraft's capabilities, the crew's preparations, and the significance of this test flight. Spacecraft and Mission Overview: Insights into the Starliner's design, the choice of Atlas V rockets for the launch, and the planned landing procedures in the southwestern United States. Crew Profiles: Focus on the astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, discussing their backgrounds, roles in the mission, and expectations for the test flight. Closing Thoughts: Rod and Tariq wrap up with final thoughts on the importance of the Starliner mission for Boeing and NASA, discussing potential outcomes and what they signify for the future of commercial spaceflight. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

We've been waiting... and waiting... and waiting for Boeing's Starliner to fly. First selected in 2010, along with SpaceX's Crew Dragon, Starliner has been behind schedule for years. SpaceX got $2.6 billion for its six dragon flights, and Boeing received more at $4.3 billion, so you'd expect Boeing to be first to fly, right? Well, as of today, SpaceX has delivered crews to the International Space Station eight times, to Boeing's... zero. Delayed development, turbulence problems with the capsule on the Atlas launcher, stuck valves, flammable materials, and faulty parachute lines have all contributed to the delays. Boeing has flown two uncrewed missions—the first one a partial failure, with the second, funded by Boeing itself, flown to NASA's satisfaction. Now it's time to put a crew aboard. Will Boeing overcome their issues and deliver the goods? Join us. Headlines: Voyager's Return: NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory confirms reestablishment of contact with Voyager 1 after five months of silence, overcoming communication challenges over vast interstellar distances. China's Shenzhou 18 and Tiangong Space Station: China successfully launches Shenzhou 18 to the Tiangong Space Station, which was recently hit by space debris, prompting China to revamp its space debris management strategies. International Partnerships for Lunar Research: China announces new international partnerships for its International Lunar Research Station, contrasting its progress with NASA's Artemis Accords. Main Topic: Boeing Starliner's Upcoming Mission Starliner's Crewed Test Flight: A detailed discussion on Boeing's upcoming Starliner mission, highlighting the spacecraft's capabilities, the crew's preparations, and the significance of this test flight. Spacecraft and Mission Overview: Insights into the Starliner's design, the choice of Atlas V rockets for the launch, and the planned landing procedures in the southwestern United States. Crew Profiles: Focus on the astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, discussing their backgrounds, roles in the mission, and expectations for the test flight. Closing Thoughts: Rod and Tariq wrap up with final thoughts on the importance of the Starliner mission for Boeing and NASA, discussing potential outcomes and what they signify for the future of commercial spaceflight. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Unless you've been living under a rock or in Barstow, you probably know all about the solar eclipse on Monday. Rod will be going to Austin, likely to be staring at ever-darkening clouds, and Tariq will be headed to the eclipse path in the Northeast. Where will you be? On today's episode, we're talking to astronomer and meteorologist Joe Rao about the solar eclipse of 2024--what is it, where the moon's shadow cross Earth, how can you maximize what you see (or don't see), and how to view partial phases safely. This last bit is important, and we're going to give you an earful about "solar safety"--the effects of improper viewing can be catastrophic. And, of course, Rod's bringing a terrible eclipse-oriented space joke! Join us. Headlines: Chinese Space Debris Sighting: China's Shenzhou-15 crew capsule's orbital module made an uncontrolled reentry, lighting up the skies over California without prior warning. Space Junk Hits a Florida Home: A story of a mysterious cylinder, believed to be part of a NASA battery pallet jettisoned from the ISS, crashing through a Florida man's home, illustrating the unpredictable nature of space debris re-entry. Main Topic: The Solar Eclipse of 2024 Introduction to Joe Rao: Introduction of Joe Rao, his background, and his excitement for the upcoming eclipse, his 14th total solar eclipse viewing. Eclipse Overview: Joe provides an in-depth look at the upcoming solar eclipse, discussing its path across North America, from Mexico through the United States to Canada, and highlighting its significance compared to past eclipses. Viewing Tips: Discussion on safe viewing practices, including the importance of using certified eclipse glasses and other methods to safely observe the eclipse without damaging one's eyes. Weather Considerations: Joe offers advice on how to choose the best viewing locations based on weather patterns and suggests resources for last-minute location adjustments to avoid cloud cover. Personal Stories and Plans: Tariq shares his plans to view the eclipse with his family, emphasizing the personal significance and communal aspect of experiencing such a rare event. Final Thoughts and Advice: The episode wraps up with Joe stressing the unparalleled experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse firsthand, urging listeners not to miss the opportunity to be in the path of totality. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Joe Rao Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: wix.com/studio

Unless you've been living under a rock or in Barstow, you probably know all about the solar eclipse on Monday. Rod will be going to Austin, likely to be staring at ever-darkening clouds, and Tariq will be headed to the eclipse path in the Northeast. Where will you be? On today's episode, we're talking to astronomer and meteorologist Joe Rao about the solar eclipse of 2024--what is it, where the moon's shadow cross Earth, how can you maximize what you see (or don't see), and how to view partial phases safely. This last bit is important, and we're going to give you an earful about "solar safety"--the effects of improper viewing can be catastrophic. And, of course, Rod's bringing a terrible eclipse-oriented space joke! Join us. Headlines: Chinese Space Debris Sighting: China's Shenzhou-15 crew capsule's orbital module made an uncontrolled reentry, lighting up the skies over California without prior warning. Space Junk Hits a Florida Home: A story of a mysterious cylinder, believed to be part of a NASA battery pallet jettisoned from the ISS, crashing through a Florida man's home, illustrating the unpredictable nature of space debris re-entry. Main Topic: The Solar Eclipse of 2024 Introduction to Joe Rao: Introduction of Joe Rao, his background, and his excitement for the upcoming eclipse, his 14th total solar eclipse viewing. Eclipse Overview: Joe provides an in-depth look at the upcoming solar eclipse, discussing its path across North America, from Mexico through the United States to Canada, and highlighting its significance compared to past eclipses. Viewing Tips: Discussion on safe viewing practices, including the importance of using certified eclipse glasses and other methods to safely observe the eclipse without damaging one's eyes. Weather Considerations: Joe offers advice on how to choose the best viewing locations based on weather patterns and suggests resources for last-minute location adjustments to avoid cloud cover. Personal Stories and Plans: Tariq shares his plans to view the eclipse with his family, emphasizing the personal significance and communal aspect of experiencing such a rare event. Final Thoughts and Advice: The episode wraps up with Joe stressing the unparalleled experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse firsthand, urging listeners not to miss the opportunity to be in the path of totality. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Joe Rao Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: wix.com/studio

Unless you've been living under a rock or in Barstow, you probably know all about the solar eclipse on Monday. Rod will be going to Austin, likely to be staring at ever-darkening clouds, and Tariq will be headed to the eclipse path in the Northeast. Where will you be? On today's episode, we're talking to astronomer and meteorologist Joe Rao about the solar eclipse of 2024--what is it, where the moon's shadow cross Earth, how can you maximize what you see (or don't see), and how to view partial phases safely. This last bit is important, and we're going to give you an earful about "solar safety"--the effects of improper viewing can be catastrophic. And, of course, Rod's bringing a terrible eclipse-oriented space joke! Join us. Headlines: Chinese Space Debris Sighting: China's Shenzhou-15 crew capsule's orbital module made an uncontrolled reentry, lighting up the skies over California without prior warning. Space Junk Hits a Florida Home: A story of a mysterious cylinder, believed to be part of a NASA battery pallet jettisoned from the ISS, crashing through a Florida man's home, illustrating the unpredictable nature of space debris re-entry. Main Topic: The Solar Eclipse of 2024 Introduction to Joe Rao: Introduction of Joe Rao, his background, and his excitement for the upcoming eclipse, his 14th total solar eclipse viewing. Eclipse Overview: Joe provides an in-depth look at the upcoming solar eclipse, discussing its path across North America, from Mexico through the United States to Canada, and highlighting its significance compared to past eclipses. Viewing Tips: Discussion on safe viewing practices, including the importance of using certified eclipse glasses and other methods to safely observe the eclipse without damaging one's eyes. Weather Considerations: Joe offers advice on how to choose the best viewing locations based on weather patterns and suggests resources for last-minute location adjustments to avoid cloud cover. Personal Stories and Plans: Tariq shares his plans to view the eclipse with his family, emphasizing the personal significance and communal aspect of experiencing such a rare event. Final Thoughts and Advice: The episode wraps up with Joe stressing the unparalleled experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse firsthand, urging listeners not to miss the opportunity to be in the path of totality. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Joe Rao Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: wix.com/studio

Unless you've been living under a rock or in Barstow, you probably know all about the solar eclipse on Monday. Rod will be going to Austin, likely to be staring at ever-darkening clouds, and Tariq will be headed to the eclipse path in the Northeast. Where will you be? On today's episode, we're talking to astronomer and meteorologist Joe Rao about the solar eclipse of 2024--what is it, where the moon's shadow cross Earth, how can you maximize what you see (or don't see), and how to view partial phases safely. This last bit is important, and we're going to give you an earful about "solar safety"--the effects of improper viewing can be catastrophic. And, of course, Rod's bringing a terrible eclipse-oriented space joke! Join us. Headlines: Chinese Space Debris Sighting: China's Shenzhou-15 crew capsule's orbital module made an uncontrolled reentry, lighting up the skies over California without prior warning. Space Junk Hits a Florida Home: A story of a mysterious cylinder, believed to be part of a NASA battery pallet jettisoned from the ISS, crashing through a Florida man's home, illustrating the unpredictable nature of space debris re-entry. Main Topic: The Solar Eclipse of 2024 Introduction to Joe Rao: Introduction of Joe Rao, his background, and his excitement for the upcoming eclipse, his 14th total solar eclipse viewing. Eclipse Overview: Joe provides an in-depth look at the upcoming solar eclipse, discussing its path across North America, from Mexico through the United States to Canada, and highlighting its significance compared to past eclipses. Viewing Tips: Discussion on safe viewing practices, including the importance of using certified eclipse glasses and other methods to safely observe the eclipse without damaging one's eyes. Weather Considerations: Joe offers advice on how to choose the best viewing locations based on weather patterns and suggests resources for last-minute location adjustments to avoid cloud cover. Personal Stories and Plans: Tariq shares his plans to view the eclipse with his family, emphasizing the personal significance and communal aspect of experiencing such a rare event. Final Thoughts and Advice: The episode wraps up with Joe stressing the unparalleled experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse firsthand, urging listeners not to miss the opportunity to be in the path of totality. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Joe Rao Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: wix.com/studio

Ecuador's Space Ambitions With Robert Aillon Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Robert Aillon For full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/104 Sponsors: zscaler.com/zerotrustAI joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT

Ecuador's Space Ambitions With Robert Aillon Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Robert Aillon For full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/104 Sponsors: zscaler.com/zerotrustAI joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT

Ecuador's Space Ambitions With Robert Aillon Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Robert Aillon For full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/104 Sponsors: zscaler.com/zerotrustAI joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT

Ecuador's Space Ambitions With Robert Aillon Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Robert Aillon For full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/104 Sponsors: zscaler.com/zerotrustAI joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT

In today's episode of Building Texas Business, I chat with Sassie Duggleby, founder of Venus Aerospace, about her groundbreaking work developing hypersonic flight technology. Her vision is to connect the world through travel that spans continents in just one hour. She shares her motivation, sparked by living abroad and a desire to unite people across borders. We discuss Sassie's journey building Venus Aerospace from the ground up. She offers insights into raising capital, growing from a small team to over 70 employees, and prioritizing work-life balance for families. Sassie also talks about navigating challenges in aerospace, an evolving field with careful regulation. Our discussion delves deeper as Sassie reflects on balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. She also addresses tackling biases facing women in STEM fields. With her tenacity, Sassie is clearing paths for others. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Sassie Duggleby, CEO of Venus Aerospace, discusses the company's vision to revolutionize global transport with hypersonic flight, aiming to turn international travel into one-hour journeys. We explore Sassie's personal experiences, from living in Japan to leading a pioneering company, which fuel her ambition to make the world more connected through rapid travel. The conversation covers the evolution of Venus Aerospace from a small team to a 70-employee company, emphasizing the challenges and strategies of scaling a startup. Sassie shares the importance of cultivating a strong company culture that prioritizes family time and how it aligns with their vision of 'home for dinner'. We delve into the regulatory challenges faced by the company, such as securing permission for supersonic flights over land and navigating government relations. The episode touches on gender biases in the aerospace industry and how societal norms impact women, with Sassie recounting her own experiences as a female CEO. Sassie reflects on the need for potential changes in the academic system to accommodate different learning styles and to support women in STEM fields. Discussing personal challenges, Sassie emphasizes the importance of balancing motherhood with the demands of leading a startup and the intentionality required to maintain a work-life balance. A lighthearted discussion ensues about Tex-Mex versus barbecue, providing a glimpse into Sassie's personal preferences and her vision for a tech-free sabbatical in nature. We highlight Sassie's journey as a successful female entrepreneur and her contributions to the aerospace industry, particularly during International Women's Month in March 2024. LINKSShow Notes Previous Episodes About BoyarMiller About Venus Aerospace GUESTS Sassie DugglebyAbout Sassie TRANSCRIPT (AI transcript provided as supporting material and may contain errors) Chris: In this episode, you will meet Sassie Duggleby, co-founder and CEO of Venus Aerospace. Venus Aerospace is a startup company focused on engineering the future of hypersonic flight by making one-hour global transport possible to connect the world and make it safer. Sassy talks about the importance of cultivating a strong company culture, where at Venus, they are focused on making it home for dinner. She also shares how she balances being the CEO of a startup while also being the mother of two. Sassy, I want to welcome you on to Building Texas Business. Thank you for taking the time to be with us today. Yeah, thanks for having me so very intriguing stories. I was reading your bio and I just want to give you a chance to introduce yourself to the audience and the listeners. Tell us you know who you are and what you do. I know your company is Venus Aerospace, which sounds really cool, so let's tell us about who you are and then what Venus Aerospace is. Sassie: Yeah, so I'm the co-founder and CEO of Venus Aerospace. Venus, we are using a next generation rocket engine to enable super high speed vehicles. So what does that mean? High speed vehicles is in planes, drones, and we've got an engine that allows you to take off and get up to speeds around Mach 4. So four times the speed of sound and super efficiently cruise across the globe. You can push all the way up to Mach 9 if you really wanted to, and then come back down and land and it would let you go. You know, say, san Francisco to Tokyo in under two hours. Wow. Chris: That's a little crazy, huh yeah, so does that mean you're a true rocket scientist? Sassie: I'm actually married to a rocket scientist and I manage a ton of rocket scientists, but I would not claim that title for myself. Chris: Okay, all right, so, but you're the one of the few that would say, well, it's not rocket science, but it kind of is. Sassie: It is in this case for sure. Chris: Yeah, I love it. Okay, so that Venus Aerospace, so high speed travel. For what? For? Obviously for a normal consumer. Sassie: Yeah, so the ultimate goal is commercial travel. We have near term opportunities doing hypersonic flight testing for the Department of Defense and then hypersonic drones, kind of for national security and defense purposes, both for, you know, nato and the US Department of Defense. But that ultimate goal is you know kind of how does the world change, if you could get anywhere, you know, in two hours, you know whether it's business travel or it's, you know, delivering parts or it's, you know, global organ transplant. There's a bunch of opportunities that you know what's your time worth and if we could give you back time by helping you get across the globe faster. That's our ultimate vision. Chris: Wow, I mean that's. It is visionary. So what inspired you to get into this business? Sassie: Yeah, so prior to starting Venus, andrew and I. So we co-founded the company together. Andrew's, my husband and we were both working for Virgin Orbit, so we were launching rockets off the wings of 747s. And while we were working for Virgin Orbit, we actually deployed to Japan. So Andrew's in the Navy reserves and in the Navy he does ship repair. So I always joke why a PhD rocket scientist is doing ship repair. That's a whole different question. But 2018 was a really bad year for the Navy and there were a bunch of collisions out at sea and they couldn't get the Navy ships all the way back to the United States. They could only get them to Japan. And so he got a call in like February 2018 and said, hey, we need you Any chance you could come to Japan. And I looked at him and said, can we go? And so we pulled the kids from school, moved to Yokosuka, japan, and it was actually living in Japan that we realized you know how big the world really is. So, you know, I had, we had traveled internationally, but we'd never actually lived overseas. And so it was literally a Sunday afternoon. We were sitting out on our balcony overlooking Tokyo Bay. You could see the whole, you know American shipyard there and we were talking about my grandmother's birthday was coming up and how do we get home? Do I take the kids jet lag socks, like we were just having a normal Sunday conversation. And Andrew looks at me and he says well, you know, there's a new rocket engine coming on the pipeline. That's been theorized for about 30 years. They've been working on it at academia, at the universities, and he said I think if this engine's ever proven, I think we could put it on a plane and we could be home in an hour. And I literally laughed at him in that moment. But then he started explaining the physics to me and how the engine works and how it's way more efficient If you don't have to, if it's more efficient, you don't have to have as much fuel. And just was getting into it. And we started kind of dreaming like, well, what if this engine ever really comes along and it's proven? And so you know, fast forward, we get back to Southern California and we're back working at Virgin orbit after the deployment. And he comes home from work one day and he said, hey, purdue University, their research, one of the research labs proved this engine and it's called a rotating detonation rocket engine, which I know is a mouthful Rotating detonation rocket engine. And so this engine in an A B test. So the rocket engines that, like we use today, are only about 2% more efficient than the rocket engines that we sent, you know, astronauts to the moon with 50 years ago on the Apollo missions. So in 50 years we've gained about a 2% increase in efficiency, which is not much. Well, this engine, on the other hand, gains about 15% efficiency, and so it's just a total game changer. It's almost equivalent of going from like propellers to jets, like how much that impacted airplanes. It's the same thing. So going from a it's called a deflagration engine like a campfire burn in a chamber, which is what we've been using forever, so subsonic combustion, to detonation, which is supersonic combustion, and if you can detonate a propellant you extract more energy. It's just more efficient. And so we literally stand up that rotating detonation waves, so it rotates around and around in an annulus. If you go to our website you can see videos of it and with that detonation it's just more efficient. And so if you don't have to hear as much fuel, you can put wings and landing gear and all the things that actually would finally make kind of a rocket plane actually work. Chris: Wow, yeah, and I guess going that fast at me all I know is what I see, like on TV in the movies, that going mock speeds is challenging, I guess for pilots now, because it's only people in, you know, in jets that do it. But for passengers, I guess the cabin can be pressurized or contained where it's safe for the, or maybe that's where you're getting to, I don't know. Sassie: Yeah, well, so humans are really good at constant velocity. So once you get up to speed and you're going the same speed, I mean you know an airplane, you don't feel like you're trying to get there. I mean you don't feel like you're traveling what? 800 miles per hour across the globe or whatever the speed is. You know it's acceleration, like when you have G's, that that's what we're not as good as handling. So our vehicle, our plane experience, you would take off and it would be about kind of a 10 minutes of that takeoff experience where you're in the back of your seat, but then you'll hit constant acceleration, just like an airplane. So it's no different. I mean, think about astronauts in space or traveling what Mach 24, Mach 25, and orbit constantly, and you know that it's just the acceleration that's the hard thing. So okay, we've got one of the joys of being here in Houston is you know we've got Johnson Space Center down the road from us and you know we've had their human factors team look at you know our kind of trajectory and they've said oh, you're totally fine, you've got no problems at all. Chris: That's nothing. Right, yeah, exactly so. You have an idea and I love the story of on a balcony in Japan and just it's interesting to me because so many entrepreneurs they may not be in that same setting, but it is this conversation about an issue or a problem and how to solve it and they have the idea right and it boiled down to its basics, no different than what you and your husband were talking about. So how did you take that concept and the idea that, ok, Purdue proved it and turn that into Venus Aerospace? Sassie: Yeah. So as soon as Andrew came home and said, hey, they've proved it, I kind of looked at him. I said, do you have this? Because he intimately knew he was a former professor at Texas A&M, so we intimately knew how far academia could kind of push the technology. And we said, all right, we've got to go grab that technology and kind of pull it up and actually bring it to the world. So I incorporated the company and then I actually went and took a class on how do you raise venture capital. You know, while I have an engineering undergrad and an MBA, I had not ever, you know, raised VC money before. And so it was actually a group of women that I found they were teaching a course on how to one of the goals was to get more venture capital into the hands of female founders. So statistically, about 2% of venture funding goes to females, and so they were trying to help with that. So I took a class and learned how do you raise VC money and how to, you know, build a pitch deck and all the things. And then, as soon as we got Virgin Orbit to its first launch, we actually quit our jobs and went full time on Venus and we spent about. It took us about six months and, I think, 200 conversations, 200 pitches, until we finally, you know, found that investor that said, yes, I'm in, and we closed a seed round of $3 million in January 2021. And that was actually the same time we decided to move the company from Southern California to Houston. I'm a seventh generation Texan so wanted to get back home and Houston. One of the great things about Houston is it's got the Houston spaceport at Ellington Field and it's the Ellington Field. It's the only urban spaceport in America, which means, you know, we are literally firing rocket engines here at Ellington. You know our previous experience. You know Virgin Orbit our headquarters was Long Beach, but our testing all happened out in Mojave, and so Andrew, when he became head of launch operations, pretty much lived in Mojave. I was a single mom for a couple of years and we were, like you know, as a husband wife founding team. This is not like we have to find a place. We can do it all in one location. And Houston, you know, rose to the very top, and so we closed our seed round of funding and moved the family to Houston and it's been, you know, I really believe, the best move for what we could have done, you know, for the company. Chris: That's great. So let's talk a little bit about the challenges of raising venture capital money. I mean you obviously at 50,000 feet, you said 200 conversations before you got one bite. But you know, I have to believe. I know we have clients that go through this or come to us, you know, in the similar stage trying to capitalize on an idea of raising money around it, so they get a company off the ground. And I have to believe. Other listeners out there are curious as well. What are some of the lessons learned that you feel like you could pass on to someone that might either one help them understand what they're about to get into, or maybe it's. You know, I learned this and avoid doing this. It might make it your process easier, sure. Sassie: You know. So one of the things that Coach Tommy in learning is it only takes one, yes, right, and so you just need one person to believe in you, so kind of having that grit and just saying no, like Andrew and I knew we had a good idea, we knew we had something. One of the challenges was finding the right fit. You know so venture capitalists often have a thesis in terms of what they want to invest in. So if you're an enterprise, saas, software investor, you're probably not going to invest in a rocket company, and so it took a while for me to find, for us to find kind of those folks with the correct thesis and they get introductions to them. The other thing is we needed patient capital. So we're also not on this like super short journey. We're not going to throw a bunch of programmers in the room and, you know, spit out a program of a unicorn. You know we need time. We need time to build, we need hardware, we're capital intensive and so finding those people that understood those longer timelines, and we're okay with that. So that's one. The other thing I would say is we started off building our own pitch deck and thought surely the design doesn't matter, and fortunately we had a pretty early believer that said hey, I'm interested, I want to help you guys, but you need a better pitch deck. And so it kind of like crushed my soul to go pay a designer to build our pitch deck. But the minute we went from the one we designed ourselves to like a professionally designed one, our traction went way up. And so it and I look back in the pitch deck we have was horrible. In the pitch deck the designer built was beautiful. And so you know, I'm actually glad, I'm very glad we sent the money. Chris: I think that you know there's a lesson there for sure in the way I've seen it play out in a number of different scenarios with kind of startups because you need to figure out what's truly an expense versus an investment in the future of your business right and what you just described and hiring that professional. You're trying to say I can do this myself, I'm going to save a little money, but the investment you made, even though it seemed like an expense you probably were questioning whether you could afford, is actually a smart investment. That the return on that was crazy. And you know I can analogize that. Sometimes the startup legal stuff we tell clients or potential clients look, you're investing dollars, even though it seems like an expense on legal, but you're investing dollars and making sure your company's set up right. That will help you going forward. Sassie: Absolutely I completely agree. Chris: So you got the pitch deck going and and then I guess you continued on the road to pitch the idea to people. I also love kind of what you said about the honesty and being direct about what your business was and what this investment would look like and what it wasn't right. You weren't going to be returning a profit or return on the investment anytime soon. So you that I think you said someone paid capital or patient capital. Yeah, I love that. So you got that going. It was January, I guess, 2021, you said. And so take us now. How many employees have you grown to? Sassie: Yeah, so we're. You know that was January 21, 21, we're what? In March 24. So it's been three years. We've scaled about 70 full-time employees and we scaled really quickly. You know we did a $3 million seed and, what was fascinating, the minute our main investors are called Prime Movers Lab for our seed round put out a why we invested in Venus Aerospace. We got an incredible amount of well we would have invested. We would have invested. So we ended up capturing another 10 million in safes, so simple agreements for future equity. You know, built for a year and then the Prime Movers Lab actually did a preemptive A. They were like you guys are crushing it, here's 20 million more, keep going. And so, yeah, so we scaled pretty quick up to, you know, 50 ish. And that was an incredible challenge, like going from three where it's three people and a PowerPoint presentation, to 50 to 70 people like you. Just, you know you go. You've got to learn how to communicate better. It's no longer sitting around a kitchen table. You know. We literally started the company at our house and so everybody knew what was going on. Everybody was connected. I think once we hit 15 employees, we were like we have to find a location because we had two new people coming and we did not have a single spot in our house to put them Like we were about to start using our kids' bedrooms, and so that was the trigger. That was like, all right, we, you know, we ended up finding the hanger at Allington. But yeah, scaling is a fascinating, you know, and every stage, you know, it just gets a little bit different the minute you think you have it figured out. You grow again, and so we've started about 70 now for the last year, which I think has actually been really healthy for us because it's allowed us to build kind of better systems and processes into the organization for decision-making and for budgeting and all the things that I think will help us as we go to raise our next round of capital and want to really accelerate and start building, you know, mach 5 drones. We've got all the pieces in place to help us with that. Chris: So that you know you described, I think, any fast-moving business the challenges that scalability and managing it right, keeping your arms around it so it doesn't get out of control. I guess that's very hyper growth that you went through. So what were some of the things that you had to do through the hiring process to make sure you were making smart decisions on these hires while you were still trying to build processes and systems in place to kind of manage it once they were all there? Sassie: Yeah, you know, one of the things we early on put we call it the Venus values into place, kind of our culture and who we are and how we operate is just as important to us as the technology that we're building, and so we call it the Venus flight plan and so every kind of and it's all related to, you know, flight. But we do a lot of, we did a lot of culture. Yes, we want to make sure you can fit technically and can you do the skills, but then are you going to be a cultural fit? And so you know, even from an interview perspective, we'd have people doing technical interviews and understanding their technical skills. But then a cultural fit, are they really going to fit in culturally? And I actually think that is key. And then I do tons like I'm constantly I feel like I'm a broken record but talking about our values and who we are and how we're going to treat people, you know, I think the aerospace industry as a whole is often very broken. It was born out of war and it's. You know, I found myself at 38 as the oldest female engineer at Virgin Orbit and I don't know, I don't think 38 is that old. Chris: So I don't think so either. It seems like we're getting young, right now. Sassie: Yeah, so you look around the room and there'd be a ton of, you know, 25 year old female engineers a few 30, and by the time they're 40, they're all gone. And so you know we it was like what's wrong with the industry that you know there's no 40 year old engineers, that they all flee. And so we were very intentional. I mean, we actually named the company Venus because she's the only female planet. All the other planets Mars, jupiter, saturn, mercury they're all Roman gods, whereas Venus is a Roman goddess, and then she's also the goddess of love, and so we have a premise of like what would it actually look like if we love our employees as well? And so you know that's. I think that's been one of the key tenants of like kind of who we are as a company. You know we want to build that family friendly, female friendly aerospace company and that you know those shouldn't be in dissonance with one another, but they often are. Yeah, that's brilliant. Chris: Yeah, what you kind of started with. And to totally agree, culture's keen and I think it's important you know that. You emphasize that in the way you did and I hope our listeners took note. We believe here is the same thing. When we hire, yes, you have to have the technical skills and that's kind of a given and you can interview for that and test for, you know, while someone's here, through your training programs and whatnot. But culture, it doesn't matter how good you are technically, if you're not a cultural fit, you will never work. If the company is really committed to culture, right With this inclusive and loving the employees and wanting that environment where people want to be. Actually, I think Jack Welch said it, if you have a real high performer, that's not a cultural fit. He calls that cancer, right, and that can. We all know what cancer can do to things. So you can't allow that into your organization. But I think it's great with your focus on that. So what are some of the things that you do to make sure the culture is one defined but two cultivated and nurtured? Sassie: Yeah, so we do, you know, values shout outs. I mean, everybody has the Venus flight plan. I literally have it here on a mouse pad, you know. It's like this is who we are, it's on our website, it's on our screen savers kind of plastering around, and then we do a lot of Venus values shout outs. So we have like kind of managers and we expect like we want shout outs on certain places. You know we do awards. Anytime I send a communications email out to the company, I always, like, put some reminder about a Venus value. So I've just I just constantly say that, say it over and over, like this is who we are, this is how we operate. I feel like sometimes I'm a broken record, but you know they say you have to say something seven times before someone really hears it, and that's been a huge lesson for me, Like things that I feel like, oh, it's obvious, this is what we're going to go do as a company. This is our strategic goal. Well, I'm talking about it all the time to investors, but I realized sometimes, you know, our team might not be hearing it, and so that's been. Probably one of the biggest learnings is just how often you just have to say the same things over and over again. Chris: Yeah, I think you're right. I think it's that repetition and certainly top down, it has to be at the tops to become to infiltrate the entire organization. And I believe what I've experienced here is when you start tying your values and the behavior that you say defines your culture to behaviors that others in the organization are doing, so your shout outs as an example, right, when you say you know, jane did such a great job on this task and it demonstrated this value, right, people start personalizing going. Okay, I see what that value means in action. That's. I think that's great. And you said something there at the end I think is so true, cause your job is so external sometimes and I can relate to this you sometimes forget how important it is to make sure all those great things you say externally to keep the company going, that you're saying them internally to remind everyone how great the organization is and you know how important it is to keep this thing going. Oh for sure, for sure, what? Let's talk a little bit just about any challenges you've faced getting this company up and going and kind of what the lessons learned have from that and how it's kind of made you or the company stronger, cause you went through a rough patch or two. Sassie: You know, I say one of our biggest challenges we've been hitting is regulatory. So we're trying to fly a supersonic. Well, we actually flew a supersonic capable drone a couple weeks ago but we had to throttle it down to below Mach 1 because we didn't have the regulatory clearance to fly supersonic. It's illegal to fly supersonic over land without authority. Yeah, I mean the sonic boom does. It's legit, it does make a noise and so you know, they outlawed that back, I think the 50s or 60s, and so there are places, there are ranges in the United States that you can fly those speeds, but you have to get government approval and it's, you know it's been. Yes, you can go fly here, but it'll be three years. Well, we're a startup in three years like we're out of cash or we're growing super fast, and so that's regulatory hurdles have probably been one of our biggest challenges. That I kind of didn't expect. And then you know we're building technology that right now is one of the top priorities for the Department of Defense, and so in my mind you would think that DoD would be just throwing cash at us, but it's been very small. You know, we've got a little bit of DARPA money and a little bit of NASA money and a little bit of AFWARX Air Force money, you know, but not to the extent of what you know, based on the priorities of what you would think it is. And so I've had to learn, like, how do you play the DoD kind of Congress lobbying game and I call it a game because I feel like it is a game- and so I don't. Chris: I don't envy you at all, but I game, I think is the right way to say it sadly. Sassie: Yeah. So you know kind of learning that it's not necessarily a meritocracy, it's not the best technology wins, but it's. You know, do you have the right relationships? And were you in Capitol Hill at this time and we've been talking to this person? And the minute you build that relationship, then that person leaves that group and then you got to start over again. And so I joke, I've learned. I've had to learn how Adventure Capital World works and then the minute I figured that out, it's like now I've had to go figure out you know how congressional budgets and DoD and how all that works, and you know. So it's been. I've learned more in the last three years than I've learned, I think, in my previous 40, just because it's fascinating, but it's been a lot harder, I think. In my mind I thought the DoD, like if you build great tech, they will come, and that's not necessarily the case, and so we've had to start really building the right relationships and brought in a team that knows how to do government relations and so it's been a big learning curve. Chris: Yeah, you hate to hear that bureaucracy can get in the way of something so innovative and potentially transformative, but at the same time, I don't know anyone's gonna be shocked by that either. Right, it's kind of a sad statement. Sassie: Right, and there are lots. I've got to give the DoD credit. There's lots of groups are really pushing on innovation and recognizing that hey, we need to change and you know, one of the things that makes America great is our innovative ecosystem and how we can. You know the startup world and the venture capital and you know what happens in Silicon Valley and other places, and so there are definitely folks within the Department of Defense that recognize that's kind of the. That's what the US is, super power is, and how do we leverage it. But it's just a really slow flywheel and we'll get there. I know, because I know what we are building is so important that you know we'll be able to knock down the right barriers. But it's just been. It's been harder than I think I expected it was going to be. Chris: Yeah, it seems that way. So, as you were talking about that, I'm curious are there competitors to Venus out there, like others, that either have a similar or they've gotten permission to use the same technology, and not just necessarily in the US and other countries? Is this kind of like a you know back, going back to the 50s and 60s, when it was a race, you know, us and Russia were racing to the moon? Sassie: So in terms within the United States, you know. So, venus, our whole premise is that if you want to go really fast with a plane, instead of being a fast jet you should be a slow rocket. You know so our last rocket went mock, like when we were at Virgin orbit. It would go mock 10, split in half and then go on to mock 25. And so you know, when we're seeing mock four or even mock nine, that's slow compared to what our last last vehicle did, and so there's nobody else that's using the engine technology that we are to build fast, fast or slow rockets, and so we're kind of the only one in that realm. Like there are some other companies trying to build really fast jets. But we always say Top Gun Maverick was the perfect marketing story for us because, assuming you saw it, what happens in the very opening scenes of Top Gun Maverick? Chris: Yeah, he goes faster than what they told him he could, or why right he pushes? Sassie: he tries to push his plane to mock 10 and he literally melts his vehicle. Because if you fly fast through the soup of the atmosphere, you know it creates an incredible amount of friction and it creates an incredible amount of heat, and so it's really hard. And so, because you're a jet, the difference in a jet and a rocket is a jet has to bring. You know, go to campfire one to one. What do you need for a fire? You need fuel, oxygen and a spark. So a jet gets its oxygen from the air, which means it has to fly low enough in the atmosphere that can. It can feed its jets, which means it's got to fly through the soup. Right, we're a rocket, we're carrying our own oxygen with us in a tank, and so we can go up higher in the atmosphere where it's not as soupy, and thus fly where it's way cooler, so our vehicle won't melt. It's actually a much easier problem. So nobody that we know of in the world is looking using the engine that we're using for in the ways that we're using it Now. There are other people using this rocket engine, possibly for, you know, orbital launches, or you know we're working with NASA because they're really interested in it as a moon lander. But you know, we think we're the only ones. Now, that's not to say that some of our competitive you know, near peer competitors are not also looking at the same technology. Chris: Gotcha. Let's go back, because you said something that I found interesting you know we're going to get your take on it and that was around females in this industry and how you looked around at 38 and you were the oldest and that there aren't any in there Once you get to mid to late 30s, into the 40s. What is it? Do you think that was, or still is, maybe driving women out of the aerospace industry after you know they're in it for early, an early stage of life? Sassie: You know I've done a lot, spent a lot of time reflecting on this and I wish I knew the exact answer. I think I think it's multiple. I think one of them, when you don't have mentors, when you don't have someone older than you to mentor you and show you how it's done, you know, you decide like hey, maybe it's not worth it. I think some of it is. I mean, it wasn't unusual to have an 8pm meeting on a Thursday night when I was at Virgin Orbit sometimes, and so you know, if you're a mother and have young kids at home, like that's really hard. So just hours and expectations of hours, I can. You know. I think, as much as I would love to say it starts at a young age. There's no messaging sent to young kids, to young girls versus young boys, of like hey, you should be playing with these types of toys and boys can play with rockets. And I don't know that. I don't think society intentionally means to do that, but I think those messages still happen. I mean, I can tell you this happened recently. I was, we were given a tour here at Vina and it was with a group of very respected angels that went to a very respected university, I'm not gonna see what it is. And this gentleman came up to me and I introduced myself we hadn't started to tour anything and I said hey, I'm the CEO of Venus Aerospace. And he turns to me and he says you don't look like a very typical aerospace CEO. This is you know what 2024. Like I was so shocked by it, I didn't say anything and I wish now I'd said well, what makes me look different? Like what does an aerospace CEO look like? But that is still, I'm typically the only woman in the room when they're presenting for Venus as a founder of an aerospace company. It's just I wish I had better answers. You know, I've, even I've spent some time talking with some people that do kind of education on, you know, stem education and some of it. They even say, like you know, a lot of the engineering education is built based on how men learn, like men and women actually learn differently, and so based on how they teach, because it's been, you know, taught since, you know, for a thousand, hundreds and hundreds of years. Engineering is often taught with more how the male mindset works, and so it just tends women to be like, yeah, we're not going to go that route. Interesting. So I think it could need some changes in the academic system. But I mean, having come from a world where my husband was a professor, like there is no incentives for a professor to change how he teaches or she how she teaches. Sure, they're. They're actually, especially at a tier one research institution. They're there to, you know, do research and teaching just happens to be this little side gig, right. It's something they have to do right. It's something they have to do, not exactly? Chris: Yeah, I'm still a little shocked by the comment you got a couple of weeks ago. But so let's talk. You know, maybe digging a little bit on your own personal journey, because you're I think you said a mom of two, correct? So you know how have you managed that and navigated through. You know, still being a mom to those two, while you, I guess, one when you worked at Virgin. It couldn't have been easy, but even more challenge embarking on a startup and you know the growth that you told us about from zero or three to 50 so quickly and that. How have you tried to balance and manage your time, because I know there's clients in our firm, of our firm and listeners of this podcast that are in that same position. Sassie: Yeah, you know, I wish I could say it was easy, but it takes a lot of intentionality. So our company vision is home for dinner. We want to fly you across the globe and have you home for dinner. If you work for us, we want you home for dinner. And that's because we have, you know, as a husband and wife team, we have, you know, the two daughters that it's like we've got to be home for dinner with them because you know one of them is in high school and she's going to be out, hopefully, god willing, out of the house in a couple of years, and so we just put that in as a value from the very beginning. And so we are home, we eat dinner around the kitchen table with them almost every night I can't, you know, I can't say every night, but most of the time. Chris: No one would believe you if you said that. Sassie: Yeah, no, we don't. I mean, I just came back from two weeks of almost straight traveling and I did. I was heading to another event and I came out with my suitcase in the morning and my daughter literally looked at me and said, mom, you're leaving again. And so there are times that's hard, I can't say, I can't say I've got to figure it out, but it's being that being super intentional. And then when I do have time with them, you know, just making sure I make the most of it. It's like, you know, we do not at dinner ever have our phones out. We don't talk about Venus at all, because it's the last thing they want to hear about, you know. And then I do try we have tried to kind of sometimes bring what we're working on into their world. So I got to fly my younger daughter out to one of my events and she got to see me on stage and see what that world looks like. And so you know, getting them to understand like what we're doing, you know we've been trying to be more inclusive of that for them. Chris: I think that's great. I mean, to your point, everything's a balance, right, but I think that balance of not talking about business with them or around them all the time is smart. But introducing and incorporating a little bit about what mom and dad do isn't a bad thing. So it gives us some context about, because all they know is you leave the house and you're gone, right, and then you come back and introduce some context to that? Sassie: Well, one of my favorite stories we did. Actually we were trying to hire somebody, you know, maybe six months, a year ago, and so we were told the girls at dinner we were like, hey, we're trying to hire this person. You know, what do you think we could do to incentivize them to come? And my younger daughter was like well, what if you give them cookies? Chris: I was like you know everybody likes cookies. Sassie: That's true, So-. Chris: That would get me Exactly. Yeah, the innocence of that is, I mean, that's magical. So yeah, busy schedule, we balance this. How would you describe kind of your leadership style? Sassie: Well, that's a really interesting question. I try to lead how I would want to be led with super high integrity, positivity. I actually one of the analogies we use a lot is giving away our Legos. So I've really had to learn. We started the company and I was doing everything. Well, not the technical stuff, but I was setting up accounting, I was doing payroll, I was doing HR, I was doing all the fundraising, and so, as the company grows, I will never have more responsibility. Today is the most responsibility I will ever have, because hopefully, we'll continue to hand away Legos and so trying to really encourage people to share their Legos like the story we use all the time is, if we want to build the largest Legot Tower possible, the best way to do it is for everybody to contribute and build, and so in that case, I have to share my Legos. Chris: I love analogies. That's a good one for building a business and you're right, I think it's hard. It starts with trust, right? You have to be able to get to a level of trust to give a Lego away to someone, to take over HR, to take over accounting. Sassie: And my goal is to hire everybody smarter than I am and that's more of an expert in their area than I am, because if that's the case, then Venus will be so much better. And so I ultimately want the very best in whatever role it is, and let them have it, because they're going to be so much better equipped to do that role than I ever was. Chris: It's a great goal. Well, the story is fascinating, sassy. I can't wait to continue to watch where y'all take this, and what do you I mean unique and special opportunity right? You're literally going to change an industry. Sassie: I always say it's the adventure of a lifetime, and Andrew and I were two engineers with an idea, and it really shows the power of the American dream that there are investors out there I mean, we're not billionaires and so that there are investors out there that understand what a world changing technology can do and that are willing to back entrepreneurs and then continue to support us and help us grow. To me, it's what makes America by far the greatest country in the world. Is this type of ecosystem that happens, so it's truly just such an adventure. Chris: Let's have a little fun before we wrap up. So what was your first job? We were growing up? I was a lifeguard. Okay, and do you ever have to save any lives? Sassie: I had one time a little boy that just had walked too far out and was up under underwater. I wasn't even on duty and I would happen to be walking by and his mom was screaming and I just jumped in the water and grabbed him. Chris: Okay. Sassie: So thankfully, that was the extent of my life saving. Chris: Very good. So this is going to be an interesting question. Seventh generation Texan. You told me yeah, so do you prefer Tex-Mex or Barbecue Tex-Mex? All right, I think that's spoken like a seventh generation Texan. Sassie: I like Barbecue, but yeah, deep down anytime when we didn't live in Texas and like we lived in California, virginia, all over, the first meal that when I would come back and like stay at my parents' house, was always like greasy Tex-Mex. Chris: I can identify with that. Look, the question's not meant to be easy. It's a tough one. I mean, most people struggle, as I do, because I like them both. But you're right, that may be the best barometers what's the first meal after you've been away? Yeah, so all right. So, given what you're doing and the pace at what you're growing this company, this may be hard for you to envision. But if you could take a 30-day sabbatical, where would you go and what would you do? Sassie: I am an outdoor person, so I would go somewhere in the middle of no weather I don't know if it would be up into the mountains or on a foreign. I'd probably want to hop between like an island and like surf and snorkel and scuba and play in the water and fish and then be up in the mountains and hiking or skiing. Anything that gets me away from technology and out into nature would be my what I'd want to do. Chris: Okay, that's good, that's good. Well, sassy, thank you for taking the time. Yeah, as I mentioned, yeah, we're in a really yeah, this is March of 2024. This is International Women's Month. I can't think of a better guest to have on the podcast than you out there, showing women by example how you can be a successful entrepreneur. So, thank you. Sassie: Thank you, thanks for having me.

ClearSpace and Orbit Fab announce a strategic partnership to advance in-space refueling and servicing capabilities. Belgium has become the latest country to add its signature to the Artemis Accords. The European Space Agency and the European Commission have selected five companies that will launch institutional missions into space in the framework of the Flight Ticket Initiative, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our weekly intelligence roundup, Signals and Space, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest is Robert Ganim, Starburst Aerospace's Director of Government Affairs.  You can connect with Robert on LinkedIn and learn more about Starburst on their website. Selected Reading ClearSpace And Orbit Fab Partner To Create In-Space Refueling Service Belgium Becomes Latest Signatory to the Artemis Accords PLD Space, selected by ESA and the European Commission for the Flight Ticket Initiative launch contracts NASA System Predicts Impact of a Very Small Asteroid Over Germany Eutelsat Signs GEO/LEO Deal in South Africa - Via Satellite Horizontal Integration Facility designs reveal full extent of ELA's value offering to launch vehicle providers and payload customers.  U.S. government awards NOAA millions for wildfire response research | Space Freedom Space Technologies Awarded Contract in Partnership with OMNI Federal to Support Space Force Space Systems Command FORGE C2 Mission- Business Wire China takes its chip war to space as it uses Tiangong space station to test processors and gain a tech edge- South China Morning Post January/February 2024 - Former Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart on the Milestones, Hopes, and Heartbreaks of Virgin Orbit's Journey | Via Satellite Launch Into a Galaxy of Playfulness with Limited-Edition OREO Space Dunk Cookies T-Minus Crew Survey We want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It'll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buckle up as we unpack a year that's been nothing short of astronomical. From the 211 rockets that kissed the sky to the Starlink constellation's ever-expanding network, we've got insight on SpaceX's trials and tribulations including Starship.Rocket science isn't just for the big players; we're zooming in on the underdogs and their strides, too. Relativity Space's 3D printed marvel, Terran 1, has made history, and we're already counting down to their Terran R. But it's not all about the launches; we've got the scoop on Rocket Lab's Electron and the logistical ballet of ISS resupply missions. From the contrasting fates of Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit to Axiom's sleek new spacesuits – it's a universe of innovation we're exploring.Finally, we're setting the controls for the heart of science with ESA's Juice and Euclid missions, poised to unravel Jupiter's secrets and the cosmic web of dark matter. And if the James Webb Space Telescope's snapshots have you starry-eyed, just wait until you hear about our sun's feisty flare-ups and the star-chomping phenomena out there. Plus, we're venturing into the unknown following the UAP congressional hearing – it's a space odyssey that has us questioning if we're truly alone in the vast expanse. So, join us on SpaceWeek for a galactic recap that promises to be out of this world.

Stratolaunch's giant airplane conducted its first-ever captive-carry flight with a fueled hypersonic test vehicle. The 12th flight for the company's Roc launch platform, the mission brings the startup closer to the first powered flight of the Talon-A. CEO Zach Krevor joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the recent milestone, hypersonic flight's total addressable market and the acquisition of the now-defunct Virgin Orbit's Boeing 747 aircraft.

Stratolaunch's giant airplane conducted its first-ever captive-carry flight with a fueled hypersonic test vehicle. The 12th flight for the company's Roc launch platform, the mission brings the startup closer to the first powered flight of the Talon-A. CEO Zach Krevor joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the recent milestone, hypersonic flight's total addressable market and the acquisition of the now-defunct Virgin Orbit's Boeing 747 aircraft.

[00:03:55] NEWS [00:04:14] 2 Pilots Killed on Hawaii-Bound Plane from Santa Rosa Reported Fuel Problems Before Crashing off San Mateo Coast [00:11:17] Russia's Aeroflot Tells Staff To Stop Reporting Malfunctions, Keep Flying Unsafe Planes [00:24:28] Tara DHC6 Near Jomsom on May 29th 2022, Aircraft Found Collided With Mountain [00:32:57] Court Rules TAP Pilot's Death No Excuse for Refusing Passenger Compensation [00:37:46] Plane Crash: Recorder Data Should Provide Information [00:41:54] Inflight Medical Emergencies: Virgin Atlantic Deploys World's Smallest and Lightest Mobile ECG Kit On All Aircraft [00:46:17] Passenger Uses Cling Wrap to Create 'Business Class' Seat [00:51:32] Take a Ride With Iceberg Spotters [00:55:07] Virgin Orbit in Talks with Stratolaunch [00:57:39] GETTING TO KNOW US [01:39:02] GETTING TO KNOW US 2 [02:01:54] COFFEE FUND [02:05:14] FEEDBACK [02:05:26] Av8r Tony - Did you read the ATIS? [02:18:30] Greg - Follow Up - United Aircraft Number Explanation [02:23:21] Magnus - Recommendation - Youtube: Cockpit Casual, the Life of an Airline Ferry Pilot [02:24:25] Robert - Acme HR Has Issued New Restroom Signage [02:27:54] Robert - What To Do With So Such Hold Music Playing Over and Over? VIDEO Don't see the video? Click this to watch it on YouTube! ABOUT RADIO ROGER “Radio Roger” Stern has been a TV and Radio reporter since he was a teenager. He's won an Emmy award for his coverage in the New York City Market. Currently you can hear his reporting in New York on radio station 1010 WINS, the number one all-news station in the nation. Nationally you can hear him anchor newscasts on the Fox News Radio Network and on Fox's Headlines 24-7 service on Sirius XM Radio. In addition Roger is a proud member of and contributor to the APG community. Give us your review in iTunes! I'm "airlinepilotguy" on Facebook, and "airlinepilotguy" on Twitter. feedback@airlinepilotguy.com airlinepilotguy.com ATC audio from http://LiveATC.net Intro/outro Music, Coffee Fund theme music by Geoff Smith thegeoffsmith.com Dr. Steph's intro music by Nevil Bounds Capt Nick's intro music by Kevin from Norway (aka Kevski) Doh De Oh by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100255 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Copyright © AirlinePilotGuy 2023, All Rights Reserved Airline Pilot Guy Show by Jeff Nielsen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

AI disruption, the circle of life; prompt engineering; AIQL; Tesla workers sharing sensitive customer images; Twitter blue ticks still around, except for organizations Elon doesn't like; SpaceX Starlink satellites "deorbiting"; Midjourney bans Jinping images; Google's Bard spins conspiracies; TikTok fined; Virgin Orbit files for bankruptcy; Meta cuts more jobs; Roku picking up properties; Picard; Succession; You're Dead to Me; Shirley Manson; World's Greatest Con; Zane Lamprey; Lucky Hank; Punk Rock Museum; the Cranes; Google Drive file creation cap backlash; Apple Watch trick; the Mandalorian & Jack Black; Star Wars news; alcohol recovery startups sharing confidential user data; Oakland's ransomware attack; Operation Cookie Monster.Sponsors:Kolide - Visit kolide.com/gog to learn more or book a demo.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.Show notes at: https://gog.show/596/FOLLOW UPGoldman Sachs Predicts 300 Million Jobs Will Be Lost Or Degraded By Artificial IntelligenceThe Potentially Large Effects of Artificial Intelligence on Economic GrowthPrompt Engineer and LibrarianAI 'prompt engineer' jobs can pay up to $335,000 a year and don't always require a background in techAI prompt engineer: the hottest new job in tech?Prompt engineeringIN THE NEWSSpecial Report: Tesla workers shared sensitive images recorded by customer carsJury reduces Tesla's $137 million racism lawsuit penalty to $3.2 millionThe Morning After: Twitter keeps legacy verified blue ticks around, for nowTwitter designates NPR as 'US state-affiliated media'SpaceX's Next-Gen Starlink Satellites Have Started Falling From SpaceMidjourney Bans AI Images of Chinese President Xi JinpingYouTuber Proves ChatGPT Can Manufacture Free Windows KeysGoogle's Bard Writes Convincingly About Known Conspiracy TheoriesUK privacy watchdog fines TikTok $15.8 million for misusing kids' dataTesla sales again fall short of productionGM to reject “phone projected” audio; will develop in-car subscription platformsVirgin Orbit files for bankruptcy protection as it seeks a buyerMeta's job cuts are gutting customer service, leaving influencers and businesses with nobody to callMEDIA CANDYMany canceled HBO shows, including ‘Westworld' and ‘Raised by Wolves,' are now on RokuPicardSuccessionTed LassoYou're Dead To Me PodcastEPISODE 59: SHIRLEY MANSON: LOL & BUDGIE LOVE SHIRLEY – TRUE!WORLD'S GREATEST CONZane Lamprey: Tender LooksLucky HankAltered CarbonTravelersThe Punk Rock MuseumCranes Reunite with Original Lineup for 30th Anniversary of “Forever”How to write a Bauhaus song in 1 minuteHow to make a Depeche Mode song in 1 minuteAPPS & DOODADSGoogle removes 5 million file creation cap for Drive after backlashHere's why macOS has the Bitcoin whitepaper hidden in its filesTHE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEThe CyberWireDave BittnerHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopDon't tell anything to a chatbot you want to keep privateTwo alcohol recovery startups just got caught sharing private user dataI declined to share my medical data with advertisers at my doctor's office. One company claimed otherwiseRansomware hackers leak second batch of city data from Oakland attackFBI seizes a giant online marketplace for stolen loginsCLOSING SHOUT-OUTSRemembering Sire Records' Seymour Stein, whose musical taste shaped a generationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On today's episode…Donald Trump arrest: Pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts (00:32:22). The wood bunny: Female carpenter works in bikini with no safety gear to 'p*ss off old men' and horn up young men (01:04:31). (00:00:00) - Intro ☕ Cup of Coffee in the Big Time ☕ (00:05:04) - Fun Fact: The Bushwhackers (00:07:39) - Russian police arrest woman over bombing that killed pro-war blogger (00:14:40) - Angels' Anthony Rendon suspended four games for taking swing at fan (00:17:42) - LSU's Angel Reese calls Jill Biden's White House invitation to NCAA runner-up Iowa ‘A Joke' (00:23:34) - Freddie Couples beefing with LIV tour boys (00:26:20) - Khalid al-Jabouri: US says IS Europe attack planner killed in Syria strike (00:27:53) - Branson's Virgin Orbit files for bankruptcy after launch failure squeezed finances (00:29:24) -NASA reveals crew for first manned moon mission in 50 years

Kara and Scott still have their blue checks! They discuss a confusing and slow legacy check removal process at Twitter. Also, the Russian government's arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and other repressive governments making business hard around the world. Plus, Virgin Orbit has halted operations for the foreseeable future and four billionaires will have to talk about their relationship with Jeffery Epstein. Oh, and by the time you're reading this, former President Trump may have been arrested. Friend of Pivot Liz Hoffman discusses her new book, Crash Landing: The Inside Story of How the World's Biggest Companies Survived an Economy on the Brink. You can find Liz at @lizrhoffman on Twitter, and you can buy her book here. Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A.M. Edition for April 4. Former President Donald Trump is expected to turn himself in to New York authorities today and face criminal charges related to a hush-money payment to a porn star. WSJ court reporter Corinne Ramey sketches out the potential road ahead for Trump after today's arraignment. Plus, Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit files for bankruptcy. Luke Vargas hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Germany looks to block ChatGPT out of privacy concerns. Samsung Semiconductor adjusts its own stance on ChatGPT as employees share a bit too much information with the chatbot. And a ChatGPT detector might flag a student's legitimate work as AI material. Plus lots more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sargassum is coming… Gwyneth wins… Hailstorm news coverage… China Bidness week... Tomb Sweeping – Qingming… Academy wants movies in theaters… Blue Bloods Renewed / pay cut / CBS... Wilde and Sudeikis divorce struggles… Reese and Jim divorce struggles… Who Died Today: Uncle Doug 71 / Stevie Allen ?? Virgin Orbit 01… Get out of Russia from State Dept… WSJ Journalist arrested in Russia… Biden in 2019… NCAA Final Fours… Sharpe and McAfee move case to the Feds… No soccer in Marshall Islands… Prince William & Kate having new baby…  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices