#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures

About this episode

<p>Ariel Ekblaw is the director of the MIT Space Exploration Initiative. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:<br /> &#8211; <b>BetterHelp</b>: <a href="https://betterhelp.com/lex">https://betterhelp.com/lex</a> to get 10% off<br /> &#8211; <b>Coinbase</b>: <a href="https://coinbase.com/lex">https://coinbase.com/lex</a> to get $10 in free Bitcoin<br /> &#8211; <b>Indeed</b>: <a href="https://indeed.com/lex">https://indeed.com/lex</a> to get $75 credit<br /> &#8211; <b>ExpressVPN</b>: <a href="https://expressvpn.com/lexpod">https://expressvpn.com/lexpod</a> and use code LexPod to get 3 months free<br /> &#8211; <b>Athletic Greens</b>: <a href="https://athleticgreens.com/lex">https://athleticgreens.com/lex</a> and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil</p> <p><b>EPISODE LINKS:</b><br /> Ariel&#8217;s Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ariel_ekblaw">https://twitter.com/ariel_ekblaw</a><br /> MIT Space Exploration Initiative: <a href="https://media.mit.edu/groups/space-exploration">https://media.mit.edu/groups/space-exploration</a><br /> Books and resources mentioned:<br /> Into the Anthropocosmos (book): <a href="https://amzn.to/3CUIchM">https://amzn.to/3CUIchM</a><br /> Seveneves (book): <a href="https://amzn.to/36ipd4O">https://amzn.to/36ipd4O</a><br /> Endurance (book): <a href="https://amzn.to/3CYdKDJ">https://amzn.to/3CYdKDJ</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/lexfridman">https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman</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; Space exploration<br /> (15:58) &#8211; Swarm robotics and self-assembling space habitats<br /> (33:39) &#8211; Microgravity<br /> (37:56) &#8211; Deep duration space missions<br /> (43:06) &#8211; Extraterrestrial life<br /> (49:29) &#8211; Music and sports in space<br /> (56:08) &#8211; Colonizing space<br /> (1:03:28) &#8211; War in space<br /> (1:08:02) &#8211; Robots in space<br /> (1:22:43) &#8211; Commercial space exploration<br /> (1:26:21) &#8211; Future of space exploration<br /> (1:34:07) &#8211; Beauty of the universe<br /> (1:39:03) &#8211; Space cities<br /> (1:44:44) &#8211; Advice for young people<br /> (1:48:04) &#8211; Consciousness<br /> (1:49:50) &#8211; Meaning of life</p>