#157 – Natalya Bailey: Rocket Engines and Electric Spacecraft Propulsion

About this episode

<p>Natalya Bailey is a rocket propulsion engineer from MIT and now CTO of Accion Systems. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:<br /> &#8211; <b>Munk Pack</b>: <a href="https://munkpack.com">https://munkpack.com</a> and use code LEX to get 20% off<br /> &#8211; <b>Four Sigmatic</b>: <a href="https://foursigmatic.com/lex">https://foursigmatic.com/lex</a> and use code LexPod to get up to 60% off<br /> &#8211; <b>Blinkist</b>: <a href="https://blinkist.com/lex">https://blinkist.com/lex</a> and use code LEX to get 25% off premium<br /> &#8211; <b>Sun Basket</b>: <a href="https://sunbasket.com/lex">https://sunbasket.com/lex</a> and use code LEX to get $35 off</p> <p><b>EPISODE LINKS:</b><br /> Natalya&#8217;s Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/natalya926">https://twitter.com/natalya926</a><br /> Accion Systems: <a href="https://accion-systems.com/">https://accion-systems.com/</a></p> <p><b>PODCAST INFO:</b><br /> Podcast website: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/podcast">https://lexfridman.com/podcast</a><br /> Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://apple.co/2lwqZIr">https://apple.co/2lwqZIr</a><br /> Spotify: <a href="https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8">https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8</a><br /> RSS: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/">https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/</a><br /> YouTube Full Episodes: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexfridman">https://youtube.com/lexfridman</a><br /> YouTube Clips: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexclips">https://youtube.com/lexclips</a></p> <p><b>SUPPORT &#38; CONNECT:</b><br /> &#8211; Check out the sponsors above, it&#8217;s the best way to support this podcast<br /> &#8211; Support on Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman">https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/lexfridman">https://twitter.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman">https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LexFridmanPage">https://www.facebook.com/LexFridmanPage</a><br /> &#8211; Medium: <a href="https://medium.com/@lexfridman">https://medium.com/@lexfridman</a></p> <p><b>OUTLINE:</b><br /> Here&#8217;s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.<br /> (00:00) &#8211; Introduction<br /> (06:51) &#8211; Intelligent life in the universe<br /> (10:52) &#8211; Life in our solar system<br /> (12:57) &#8211; Humans on Mars<br /> (16:31) &#8211; Robots vs human in space exploration<br /> (17:25) &#8211; AI in space<br /> (21:30) &#8211; How rocket engines work<br /> (26:47) &#8211; How ion engines work<br /> (31:10) &#8211; How colloid engines work<br /> (40:07) &#8211; Material science<br /> (42:57) &#8211; Nuclear powered rocket engines<br /> (47:56) &#8211; Electric propulsion out in space<br /> (51:23) &#8211; Satellites<br /> (56:17) &#8211; Photo of Earth from the Moon<br /> (57:55) &#8211; Humans on Mars<br /> (1:00:17) &#8211; Propulsion without fuel<br /> (1:08:12) &#8211; How to build a rocket company<br /> (1:15:10) &#8211; SpaceX and commercial spaceflight<br /> (1:19:42) &#8211; Advice to startup founders<br /> (1:26:18) &#8211; Book recommendations<br /> (1:34:36) &#8211; Meaning of life</p>