Professor Chris Welch Head of Space Payloads Laboratory and Director MSC in Space Studies at International Space University.

Chris is a frequent commentator on space and has a significant track record in space education and outreach and talks to Dervish about why we are looking for life on other planets and what it will mean if we find evidence.

The search for life on other planets is about helping us to answer the big fundamental questions and signs of life on other planets would forever alter our position on earth.

In this fascinating episode, they also discuss space debris, who, if anyone, can own a planet and launch sites. With great content and space information, everyone can learn something new.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• If humans live across different planets then it is much more difficult for humans to be wiped out as a species.
• There are planetary protection protocols to try and ensure we don't contaminate other planets.
• Communication Satellites in geo orbit are boosted higher into a graveyard orbit when they come to the end of their lives.
• In space, the objects still belong to the people who made them there are no rights to salvage in space.
• For lower orbiting satellites it's accepted that they will be designed to re-enter the atmosphere within 25 years of the end of their working life.
• Now there is space situational awareness and people need to think about what will happen to satellites when they are at end of life.
• Previously it was only countries that could consider space projects but now there are individuals who are able to make it a reality.
• The money in space comes mainly from the delivery of services
• In the space entrepreneurial area improvements in electronics mean satellites can be smaller and the launch is less costly.
• There are two different approaches there is the need for products that are reliable and for products that are a minimum viable product designed for low cost and to be replaced frequently.

BEST MOMENTS

‘Every time you launch something into space it has to be legally attached to a country'

‘Elon Musk has reduced the cost of getting into space'

‘Companies that make satellites make money; companies that launch satellites make money'

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Full Throttle With Dervish podcast

Prof. Chris Welch Twitter

ABOUT THE HOST

Dervish is a Spacecraft Designer and a Mechanical Engineer by day and podcaster by night.

As a Spacecraft Designer, he has worked on some of the biggest space projects and is a creative engineering force always interested in projects that involve solving global challenges.

As a podcaster, he brings together fascinating stories and content from those who are at the heart of the classic and supercar worlds with a hint of design and engineering woven into the mix.

He has a passion for classic cars and supercars and has recently built his own Triumph TR3  junior electric car for his son. When he is not involved with cars he loves restoring antique and vintage items.

CONTACT DETAILS

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=43111944

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