Episode
#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
1:52:53
Published: Wed Mar 23 2022
Description
Ariel Ekblaw is the director of the MIT Space Exploration Initiative. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off - Coinbase: https://coinbase.com/lex to get $10 in free Bitcoin - Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit - ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free - Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil EPISODE LINKS: Ariel's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ariel_ekblaw MIT Space Exploration Initiative: https://media.mit.edu/groups/space-exploration Books and resources mentioned: Into the Anthropocosmos (book): https://amzn.to/3CUIchM Seveneves (book): https://amzn.to/36ipd4O Endurance (book): https://amzn.to/3CYdKDJ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (06:51) - Space exploration (15:58) - Swarm robotics and self-assembling space habitats (33:39) - Microgravity (37:56) - Deep duration space missions (43:06) - Extraterrestrial life (49:29) - Music and sports in space (56:08) - Colonizing space (1:03:28) - War in space (1:08:02) - Robots in space (1:22:43) - Commercial space exploration (1:26:21) - Future of space exploration (1:34:07) - Beauty of the universe (1:39:03) - Space cities (1:44:44) - Advice for young people (1:48:04) - Consciousness (1:49:50) - Meaning of life
Chapters
Lex mentions his morning drink, Athletic Greens, and their offer of a one-month supply of fish oil.
00:00 - 06:29 (06:29)
Summary
Lex mentions his morning drink, Athletic Greens, and their offer of a one-month supply of fish oil. He then goes on to introduce his guest who is an expert on autonomously self-assembling space architectures.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Space technology can be used to keep Earth livable through the creation of intelligent structures that can communicate with swarm robots and work symbiotically to maintain life support for astronauts.
06:29 - 17:25 (10:56)
Summary
Space technology can be used to keep Earth livable through the creation of intelligent structures that can communicate with swarm robots and work symbiotically to maintain life support for astronauts. The goal is to democratize access to space and build architecture that can scale to accommodate millions of people living and working in space, while also focusing on how we can use space technology to save Earth.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
MIT's research explores the possibility of using plesiohedrons, which are small self-assembling space nodes, to create a more organic, decentralized space station rather than the typical shell-like structures.
17:25 - 28:08 (10:43)
Summary
MIT's research explores the possibility of using plesiohedrons, which are small self-assembling space nodes, to create a more organic, decentralized space station rather than the typical shell-like structures. This approach would facilitate the assembly of large, sustainable, autonomously-constructed tourist habitats in space.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Learn about a new tessellation approach for creating the most efficient surface area to volume shape for space structures, as well as an interesting tip for airplane travel.
28:08 - 37:55 (09:46)
Summary
Learn about a new tessellation approach for creating the most efficient surface area to volume shape for space structures, as well as an interesting tip for airplane travel.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The effects of radiation on human health during deep space missions and a potential solution with fermented food.
37:56 - 42:53 (04:56)
Summary
The effects of radiation on human health during deep space missions and a potential solution with fermented food. Discussion on obtaining drinkable water in space.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, the host discusses the possibility of there being alien life on Earth that we are too biology-obsessed to recognize, and the challenges of building detectors to look for different types of life.
42:53 - 48:28 (05:34)
Summary
In this podcast, the host discusses the possibility of there being alien life on Earth that we are too biology-obsessed to recognize, and the challenges of building detectors to look for different types of life.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A new company is being created to scale humanity's access to space with a focus on next generation space architecture.
48:28 - 55:41 (07:13)
Summary
A new company is being created to scale humanity's access to space with a focus on next generation space architecture. The architecture has sensors inside that allow it to detect when it's floating, creating an ethereal experience that is later sonified.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The future of larger-scale gatherings of humans in space is actually going to be in microgravity, floating space cities, not so much trying to establish settlements on the surface.
55:41 - 1:03:00 (07:18)
Summary
The future of larger-scale gatherings of humans in space is actually going to be in microgravity, floating space cities, not so much trying to establish settlements on the surface. Being born in microgravity could change a child's ability to have intuition around an Earth-based 1G environment.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Collaborating on giant space projects is one way for countries to escape geopolitical conflicts and to intertwine their success while inspiring the world about positive possibilities of the human species.
1:03:00 - 1:11:32 (08:32)
Summary
Collaborating on giant space projects is one way for countries to escape geopolitical conflicts and to intertwine their success while inspiring the world about positive possibilities of the human species. It should be considered an important initiative to find other platforms where developed and developing countries can come together and collaborate on the future of space.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
NASA is exploring the future of human-robot interaction (HRI) for future missions, including sending social robots as teammates on missions such as the Gateway Space Station.
1:11:32 - 1:20:23 (08:50)
Summary
NASA is exploring the future of human-robot interaction (HRI) for future missions, including sending social robots as teammates on missions such as the Gateway Space Station. HRI is a crucial aspect to consider as NASA aims to lengthen the time of civilian crews in space and develop the right level of control for both humans and robots.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The fundraising process allows researchers access to space without waiting for years to secure grant money.
1:20:23 - 1:27:46 (07:23)
Summary
The fundraising process allows researchers access to space without waiting for years to secure grant money. This provides an opportunity to execute space-related projects in a shorter period of time.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The search for a grand unified theory in physics could potentially lead to a better understanding of fundamental physical laws and improve engineering and day-to-day services.
1:27:46 - 1:39:10 (11:23)
Summary
The search for a grand unified theory in physics could potentially lead to a better understanding of fundamental physical laws and improve engineering and day-to-day services. The space industry should prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion to attract a wider range of individuals to contribute to the space exploration vision.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
As more companies begin to venture into space, space art has become an increasingly important factor in communicating the feelings and messages associated with space exploration.
1:39:10 - 1:48:25 (09:15)
Summary
As more companies begin to venture into space, space art has become an increasingly important factor in communicating the feelings and messages associated with space exploration. While space scientists and engineers are important, artists specialized in space art can represent the civilian side of space exploration.
Episode#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, the speaker discusses the idea of finding a greater purpose and meaning in life through contributing to something beyond ourselves, such as exploring space and becoming an interstellar species.
1:48:25 - 1:52:50 (04:24)
Summary
In this podcast, the speaker discusses the idea of finding a greater purpose and meaning in life through contributing to something beyond ourselves, such as exploring space and becoming an interstellar species.