#1425 - Garrett Reisman
NaN minutesEpisode #1425
Garrett Reisman is a former NASA Astronaut. He is currently a Professor of Astronautical Engineering at USC and a Senior Advisor at SpaceX.
Watch the full episode of #1425 - Garrett Reisman.
Episode Timestamps
Mark Kelly - Striving for a Space Patch
- Garrett wanted to stay in space 5 more days to earn a patch, but Mark Kelly was ready to bring him back.
- Longest stay for an American was Scott Kelly for nearly a year, and a Russian holds the all-time record.
- Return to Earth after 90 days in space affects balance, muscle strength, and bone density.
Chris Hadfield - Recovery from Space
- New resistive exercise machines have prevented muscle and bone loss in space.
- Chris Hadfield took a year to fully recover after being in space.
- Adaptations in space include loss of bone density and muscle mass, requiring consistent daily workouts to maintain physical health.
Space Food Dilemma: American vs Russian Military Rations
- American food on space missions are military style MREs which are freeze-dried or radiated with long shelf life.
- Russian food is based on submarine rations and tastes better but comes in unappetizing cans.
- Fresh food cannot be taken due to lack of refrigeration but astronauts enjoy it for the first few days.
First Space Mission Experience: Seeing Earth From Above
- Astronaut's first time in space and first view of earth from space was underwhelming.
- Expectations were high due to previous spectacular space images and stories.
- Realization of 'overview effect' was a pre-existing belief for the astronaut; viewing earth didn't bring a sudden epiphany.
Spacewalking Challenges and Precautions
- The fear of falling and over-reliance on arm strength in spacewalking
- Experiences and precautions for bodily functions in space
- The physical and mental challenges of being in a space suit for maintenance work
Spacewalk Improvisation and Troubleshooting
- Challenges faced during spacewalks due to unexpected equipment issues
- Adaptive problem-solving technique using temperature variance to solve a critical connector problem
- The importance of human intervention and adaptability in space missions
Deep Sea Diving Adventures with Habitat Living
- A detailed description of living underwater in a habitat for weeks
- Discussion on the risks and precautions associated with diving to significant depths
- Use of specialized equipment like redundant tanks and manifolds for safety
Terrifying Encounters in the Pitch-Black Depths
- Narrative of encountering marine creatures like hammerhead sharks and Goliath grouper
- Description of unique underwater 'poop' procedures to avoid attracting marine life
- Emotional experiences and fears while being submerged in the dark ocean depths
Space Station Training for Hospital Transport via Soyuz
- Training exercise similar to space station hospital transport time.
- Retirement of Shuttle program due to safety and cost concerns.
- Introduction of SpaceX Dragon and Boeing Starliner as new space vehicles in 2020.
SpaceX Crew Dragon Test and Safety Features
- Successful test launch of SpaceX Crew Dragon.
- Safety features of Crew Dragon for in-flight abort scenarios.
- Considerations for trajectory and safety during test flights.
Space Launch Responsibility and Challenges in US vs. Russia and China
- US astronauts interact with personnel before launch, emphasizing human responsibility.
- Importance of launching to the east to leverage Earth's rotation for slingshot effect.
- Challenges of boosters falling into the ocean and the difference in approach by US, Russian, and Chinese space programs.
Space Exploration Achievements and Public Outreach Efforts
- Jeff Bezos fund recovery of Apollo 11 engines from the ocean, highlighting success in space history.
- Discussion on the risks of boosters landing in populated areas and impact on health.
- Importance of public engagements in inspiring future generations for space exploration.
Changing Dynamics of NASA's Partnership with Private Companies
- NASA utilized private companies like McDonnell Douglas, North American Rockwell, and Grumman for building components of the Saturn V rocket
- New relationship dynamics involve SpaceX having more room to innovate and meet NASA's top-level requirements
- Shift towards firm fixed price funding model and private companies owning intellectual property is transforming the space industry landscape
Towards a Future of Space Exploration & Radiation Challenges
- Prediction of a transformative year in 2020 marking the beginning of a new era in space exploration
- Discussion on space radiation challenges during prolonged space journeys like going to Mars
- Exploration of potential solutions including active shielding and uncertainties around the health impact of space radiation
SpaceX Dragon Crew Technology and Challenger Disaster
- Introduction to the advanced electronics and software in SpaceX Dragon Crew compared to the old shuttle model
- Discussion on the Challenger disaster and improvements in tile re-entry technology
- Normalization of deviance concept, its impact, and preventive measures taken
Next-Gen Rockets, Starship Development, and Nuclear Propulsion
- Overview of Pica heat shield technology and reusability in Dragon and Starliner vehicles
- Discussion on SpaceX's goal for 100% reusable and affordable space travel
- Insights into the nuclear thermal rocket propulsion system and its potential for advanced space missions
SpaceX's Advanced Engine and Martian Propulsion
- SpaceX's Star Hopper engine uses liquid methane instead of traditional rocket fuel.
- The ability to create liquid methane on Mars provides a revolutionary propulsion method.
- Rapid technological advancements and competitiveness among companies like SpaceX and NASA.
Boeing vs SpaceX in Commercial Spaceflight
- Boeing's Starliner and NASA's Commercial Crew Program as alternatives to SpaceX's technology.
- Comparison of Boeing's Atlas V with SpaceX's rocket designs.
- Discussion on the future of space exploration and issues regarding crew safety and mission sustainability.
Elon Musk's Vision for a Self-sustainable Colony on Mars
- Discussion on the importance of having enough escapism after a long day of work at SpaceX.
- Analyzing the realism of survival scenarios in space as depicted in movies.
- Insight into Elon Musk's motivation and measuring decisions towards Mars colonization.
The Unparalleled Drive and Multifaceted Innovations of Elon Musk
- Reflecting on Elon Musk's ambitious projects encompassing SpaceX, Tesla, and other ventures.
- Marveling at his ability to tackle diverse technological challenges simultaneously.
- Impressions on Musk's relentless work ethic, boundless curiosity, and broad technical acumen.
Elon Musk's Plan for Mars Colonization and Beyond
- Elon Musk's ultimate goal is to create a colony on Mars and expand technology for human trips into other solar systems.
- Concerns about the longevity of the solar system and the need to find a new home for humanity in the distant future.
- The importance of planetary backup in case of natural disasters or human-induced environmental problems.
Elon Musk's Environmental Solutions through Tesla and SpaceX
- Tesla serves as Plan A to save Earth, while SpaceX is considered Plan B for ensuring humanity's survival.
- Discussion about the need for solutions to environmental problems through technology and innovation.
- Exploring the potential impact of neural interfaces on human data access and concerns about societal disparities.
Visit to Battlestar Galactica Set with Steve Jobs Influence
- Invitation to the set for the final episode by Ron Moore.
- Participation in different roles like focus puller and extra.
- Appreciation for the complexity and quality of the show.
Creation of Show 'Alternate Reality Apollo' with Ron Moore
- Ideas about a show focused on NASA in the 70s with alternate reality twist.
- Exploring the concept of Russians reaching the moon first.
- Role as technical consultant and involvement in the creative process.
Space Junk Management at SpaceX and Anti-Satellite Tests
- SpaceX practices bringing back second stages after NASA missions to avoid space debris.
- Discussion on challenges of removing space junk including using lasers for orbital changes.
- Concerns about the high-speed impact of space debris on astronauts and spacecraft.
Hypervelocity Impacts and Micrometeorites in Space
- Description of high-speed impacts of space debris and potential risks to astronauts.
- Explanation of Whipple shielding and its effectiveness against high-speed impacts.
- Comparison between manmade space debris and natural micrometeorites, especially beyond Earth's orbit.