The latest episode of Star Warsologies is up! Electrical engineer Justin Gagne joins us to chat about designing technology to go into space. What starts as a discussion of real-life ion engines also covers radiation exposure, landing telemetry, and even quantum entanglement. Justin worked on the Mars helicopter Ingenuity and does a great job helping all us non-physicists and engineers understand these concepts.

 

More info about ion engines and small satellites.

 

More info about how Perseverance landed on Mars.

 

More info about space radiation.

 

Check out the YouTube version of this episode for more graphics.

 

Curiosity Rover, launched in 2011. In contrast to this older technology, only 1/10,000th of the launch weight for Perseverance was science equipment.

 

The Perseverance Rover landed on Mars using new telemetry technology, as described by Justin Gagne in this episode

 

In Star Warsologies, hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of Star Wars with their keen interest in all things academic by asking experts about how their field is represented in a galaxy far, far away. It's a monthly podcast about science and Star Wars! 

 

Listen to Star Warsologies 4: Engineering for Space Travel

 

 

Or listen on YouTube with relevant screen shots and photos!

 

 

Show Links

 

Follow the NASA's Perseverance rover on Mars, on Twitter at @NASAPerseverance and the helicopter using #MarsHelicopter.

 

Got follow up questions for Justin or a suggestion for an -ology or expert? Email us at [email protected]

 

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