Powering Space w/ John Mankins #5

In This Episode

Join us as David Goldsmith welcomes John Mankins, president of Mankins Space Technology and former chief technologist at NASA, to discuss the critical topic of powering space. In this enlightening conversation, John shares groundbreaking insights on energy sources for space exploration and settlement, emphasizing the importance of solar and nuclear energy. He illustrates the challenges of energy costs in space, revealing that power on Mars can be up to 10,000 times more expensive than on Earth. The discussion takes unexpected turns as John explores the potential of modular solar power systems and wireless energy transmission, painting a vivid picture of how these innovations could revolutionize our approach to living and working in space.

Episode Outlines

• Introduction to energy needs for space exploration
• Overview of primary energy sources: solar, nuclear, chemical, and mechanical
• Understanding the second law of thermodynamics in energy use
• Current state of energy costs in space versus Earth
• The role of solar power in future space missions
• Challenges of energy production on the Moon and Mars
• The concept of modular solar power systems for mass production
• Wireless power transmission: technology and applications
• Energy requirements for life support and agriculture in space
• Future prospects for sustainable living on the Moon and Mars

Biography of the Guest

John Mankins is the president of Mankins Space Technology and serves on the board of several prominent organizations, including the Moon Village Association and the National Space Society. With a background as a physicist and former chief technologist at NASA's Human Exploration Development of Space program, John has been at the forefront of space technology for decades. He is recognized for his significant contributions to energy solutions for space applications and is currently working on innovative projects aimed at making sustainable life in space a reality. His upcoming book, "Powering Space," promises to delve deeper into these themes, offering insights into the future of energy in our solar system.

The themes in today’s episode are just the beginning. Dive deeper into innovation, interconnected thinking, and paradigm-shifting ideas at  www.projectmoonhut.org—where the future is being built.