Thinking On Paper

Why Every Mars Mission Needs a Guitarist: Space-Proof Electronics


Listen Later

To survive in space, you don't just need engineers. You need a musician. Preferably a guitarist.


Jeremy asks physicist Danny Andreev (CEO, Sunburn Schematics): Could my 1969 Fender Vibrolux amp work in space?


Answer: Yes. Analog gear shrugs off radiation.


What starts as electrical engineering turns into human psychology and Mars survival.


We talk about:

- Why Jeremy's vintage guitar amp would work on the moon (analog circuits resist radiation)

- What modifications it would need (thermal management, vacuum considerations)

- How digital devices fail in space while analog survives

- Why submarines and Arctic research stations need musicians (group cohesion studies)

- How having a guitarist changes crew survival in isolated environments

- Why Mars missions need musicians, comedians, and risk-takers


The research: Studies on submarines and Antarctic bases show musicians are critical for group survival. Not nice-to-have. Critical.


Music affects morale, bonding, and psychological resilience in ways nothing else does.


Elon, if you're listening: You need guitarists on those Mars ships. Not for fun—for survival.


This isn't a gear review. It's about culture, isolation, and what humans actually need when they're far from home.


Rock on.


---


Guest: Danny Andreev, Physicist, CEO Sunburn Schematics

Topics: Space electronics, Mars missions, musicians, isolation, group psychology, analog vs digital, radiation

Fun fact: Vintage amps work in space


--



Other ways to connect with us:

  • ⁠Listen to every podcast⁠

  • Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠

  • Follow us on ⁠X⁠

  • Follow Mark on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

  • Follow Jeremy on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

  • Read our ⁠Substack⁠

  • Email: [email protected]


...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Thinking On PaperBy Mark Fielding and Jeremy Gilbertson