Rodrigo Schmitt holds a PhD in Space Systems Engineering from Purdue and leads Stellerian’s commercialization strategy as Chief Commercial Officer. He specializes in translating complex mission needs into clear offerings, building partnerships across defense and commercial space, and driving customer discovery, pricing, and go-to-market strategy for on-orbit operations. He's also the co-founder of RocketPy, a widely used Python-based rocketry simulation library. In this episode, Rodrigo shares the latest on space exploration, rocket simulation, and his unique experiences from backpacking the Grand Canyon to analog Mars training missions. 

Key Takeaways:

- Developments in space exploration

- How RocketPy helps engineers simulate launches

- How Rodrigo balances entrepreneurship and science

Episode Timeline:

00:00Introduction to Rodrigo Schmitt

1:50Tod is learning about astrophysics

2:45Backpacking the Grand Canyon

5:55Exciting developments in space exploration

7:00Legal and ethical aspects of space resources

8:00AI's role in space

11:20Star trackers and space navigation using stars

13:07RocketPy: Rocket simulation and safety in space competitions

15:35RocketPy's future

18:40Mars Mission desert research stations

21:40How Rodrigo finds balance between entrepreneurship and science

This episode’s guest:

• Follow Rodrigo Schmitt on LinkedIn

• RocketPy's website and Instagram

• Stellerian on LinkedIn

• Purdue's Mars analog research facility

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