The Diaries of Space Explorers

05/07/2022

Exciting new episode with founder of Celestial Citizen Britt Duffy Adkins Thank you so much Britt for coming on the show to chat about your journey to space, the birth of Celestial Citizens, and the unique conversations we need to have about the future of space exploration.

Listen on podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-fwugk-1265f60

Synopsis

With the boom of the space industry, questions on how humans can ensure space travel, habitation, and exploration will be ethical, just, and fair have become essential to answer. We have seen how humans in the past have explored and colonized land on Earth, and many in the space industry are working to make sure that history doesn't repeat itself. We don't want a single community or group to be the dominate voice, we don't want land on other planetary bodies to be abused, ravished, and stripped of its meaning due to greed or ignorance, and we especially don't want space exploration to isolate many contributing communities. These are all tough goals to achieve, but the first step is to have conversations with many members of the space industry to gain new ideas, perspectives, and insights into our past and how we can help make our future bright. Where are these conversations happening? Well, to find out, I speak with Britt Duffy Adkins, a space urban planner and the founder of the space media company Celestial Citizen that promotes an equitable and just vision of planetary settlement beyond Earth.

With the boom of the space industry, questions on how humans can ensure space travel, habitation, and exploration will be ethical, just, and fair have become essential to answer. We have seen how humans in the past have explored and colonized land on Earth, and many in the space industry are working...

04/07/2022

Season 2 Episode 15: A Green Future for Earth and Mars

Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-i4vvd-11ffef9

Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your daily podcasting.

Sustainability is a word we hear a lot not just in the space industry, but every time we think about the future of the human race. Everyday, people search for new methods and innovations to conserve and reduce energy consumption at factories, office buildings, airports, and in automobiles. However, one place where we should be putting more focus on is our own home. Homes across the world, but especially in western civilization are using more energy that required, which has a direct impact energy use and demand, and more importantly, on our environment. Making homes more energy efficient, and less reliant on non-reusable energy sources such as natural gas, oil, and coal, can have a strong positive effect on combating climate change, and the development of more sustainable homes in countries with harsher environments. To talk about home sustainability, carbon net-0 homes, and the future of Mars infrastructure, I speak with Dr. Natalie Ren the founder and CEO of Astreia, a venture on a mission to build a sustainable future in space.

Natalie's company Astreia builds sustainable communities on Earth, advancing towards the goal of building settlements on Mars. Natalie formerly served as the Artificial Intelligence Specialist for the Australian government, and holds a PhD in Neuroscience, Master in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, and a Bachelor in Biomedical Science (honors). She was inspired by the launch of SpaceX's Starman to tackle the challenge of human survival on Mars, but is also passionate about mitigating climate change to help preserve Earth.

If you would like to learn more about Natalie’s work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn and follow her on Instagram .rens, or follow the Astreia Instagram account or website.

If you would like to learn more about the show you can email us at [email protected].

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20/06/2022

Welcome to part 2 of the Zenith Pathways special, where I chat with four of the Zenith Fellows of 2022; the bright future of Canada's aerospace industry!

Season 2 Episode 14: The Bright Future of Canada’s Aerospace Sector
Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-wvpwm-11fff02
Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your daily podcasting.

I start by speaking with Vanessa Van Decker a 3rd year mechanical engineering student at Ryerson University and Manal Siddiqui an undergraduate studying computer science at Carleton University. After hearing both Vanessa's and Manal's love and passion for space I move to Makenna Kuzyk, a mechanical engineering undergraduate at the University of Alberta and Jagriti Luitel a second year mechanical engineering student at the University of New Brunswick.

All four of them are passionate space explorers, and I am excited to see them progress, excel, and innovate in the Canadian aerospace industry. Make sure to check out their profiles on the Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation Fellows page, follow their host companies, and find out how you can become a future Zenith fellow.

For Vanessa and Manal segment, start 1 m 45s.

For Makenna and Jagriti segment, start 23 m 49s.

Follow Zenith 2022 Fellows!

Vanessa: Twitter (), Instagram (), and LinkedIn (Vanessa Van Decker)

Manal: LinkedIn (Manal Siddiqui)

Makenna: Instagram (.kuzyk), LinkedIn (Makenna Kuzyk), and website (http://makennakuzyk.space/)

Jagriti: Instagram (), LinkedIn (Jagriti Luitel), and website (https://www.jagritiluitel.com/)

Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation

Welcome to part 2 of the Zenith Pathways special, where I chat with four of the Zenith Fellows of 2022; the bright future of Canada's aerospace industry! I start by speaking with Vanessa Van Decker a 3rd year mechanical engineering student at Ryerson University and Manal Siddiqui an undergraduate st...

20/06/2022

Back from hiatus!!

Welcome to something a little bit different to this podcast. This is my first two part episode special, and I am very excited for this to be my first!

I get to share with you, the story of how the first space sector fellowship foundation in Canada, the Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation, was created and how it has already helped so many students connect to the aerospace industry after less than one year since founded!

In this two part special, I speak with co-founders Hira Nadeem and Tahir Merali, and four of the selected Zenith Fellows of 2022.

Season 2 Episode 13: Episode 13: Birth of the Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation

Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-fzm9g-11fff00
Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your daily podcasting.

This is part 1, and I learn about the Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with the goal to provide internship and mentorship opportunities in the space industry to early-career professionals from underrepresented and disadvantaged groups across Canada. I speak with co-founders Hira Nadeem and Tahir Merali about the founding of Zenith and helping connect students to aerospace industry partners across Canada.

25/04/2022

I want to understand how the space sector works in multiple nations, but I am met with limitations because I am a foreign national. I see my friends who are also citizens also experience limitations, caused by defense department funding sources and government groups. How can the space sector truly become ethical and accessible if still today students and early careers are having to navigate barriers to obtain internships and jobs? I get to jump into the world of space sustainability and ethics by chatting with space explorer and sustainability and climate change PhD student Sahba El Shawa.

Season 2 Episode 12: Sustainability and Accessibility of the Space Sector

Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-c9qcg-11ffef5

Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your daily podcasting.

Sahba holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in mechanical engineering and a masters of science in space studies. She is a strong advocate for space equality and accessibility, in particular the decoupling of defense from space, which will help remove barriers that limit the participation of national and international students in the space sector. We dive into the work Sahba has completed during her PhD in space sustainability, and how she founded the Jordan Space Research Initiative to help Jordanians gain access to resources needed to join the space sector, and to provide opportunities for underrepresented communities and raise awareness for Palestine’s in the space community.

Space Generation Advisory Council

19/04/2022

Do you want to hear a casual conversation about space, why it is cool, and how humanity has been inspired by the innovation and hard work of the entire space exploration community? Space explorer Beth Mund and I, jump into the world of storytelling, science communication and media, and how one casual conversation can lead to a life changing event.

Hear from space explorer Beth Mund (Casual Space Podcast) how storytelling can be a powerful tool to connect the public with the space sector!

Season 2 Episode 11: A Casual Story About Space
Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jwdm8-11f61a3

Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your daily podcasting.

Beth Mund is a keynote speaker and space communications strategist who helps startups and big corporations tell their stories through her company, Stellar Communications. She has worked as a public affairs officer for NASA's Johnson Space Center and the International Space Station Program, where she was responsible for strategic communications on behalf of the program with national and international media. As an expert in space communications strategy, Beth is passionate about helping others share their knowledge and experience through storytelling. Beth Mund is also the host of the Casual Space Podcast and two-time analog astronaut who recently completed missions: in Hawaii and Poland. She believes we can all live like astronauts when we apply the little things that can transform our life on earth and beyond.

If you would like to learn more about Beth’s work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on Instagram and Facebook , and her website bethmund.com. Also, don’t forget to follow the Casual Space podcast and listen to incredible stories by many people in the space sector!

12/04/2022

Space exploration is not all about launching rockets and exploring other worlds, it is finding out how we can connect with students from communities across the globe and provide services they don't have access to compared to major municipal cities and well-developed populations. Jason Michaud, CEO of Stardust emphasizes with this thought on the space sector, and he and his team are striving to connect and help the youth in isolated communities in northern Ontario by providing access to resources for education and career development in the field of STEM.

Hear from space explorer Jason how you can help empower the youth in isolated communities to pursue STEM careers!

Season 2 Episode 10: Empowering the Youth

Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-fukph-11f6177

Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your daily podcasting.

Stardust was founded to create innovative technologies through science and technology, to help empower and guide humanity to a sustainable future. Jason Michaud and members of Stardust work to solve major local and global issues that impact our every day lives, and find new ways to use virtual and augmented reality to educate the public about STEM and the ever growing space sector.

If you would like to learn more about Jason’s work, you can connect with him on LinkedIn and Instagram , or you can follow StarDust Techologies on Instagram, Twitter, or on the company website, stardust-technologies.com.

12/04/2022

Nations and governments all have their personal agenda's when it comes to space exploration. Some want to see more spaceflight launches, while others want to see how the space sector contributes back to the community. At the same time, nations discuss growing issues that will impact the space sector, in particular how Earth's low orbit is becoming littered with active, decommissioned, and pieces of satellites and space debris.

Space explorer Charity Weeden, takes myself on a journey about how she found her path to space through the Royal Canadian Airforce, her work on space debris mitigation, and space policy and global affairs.

Season 2 Episode 9: The Global Affairs of the Space Sector

Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-fb9ah-11e2077

Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your daily podcasting.

Charity Weeden is the Astroscale U.S. VP of Global Space Policy and Government Relations. Charity received her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada and her Master of Science in space science from the University of North Dakota. Charity’s role involves coordinating and synchronizing Astroscales global policy efforts towards spaceflight safety to achieve and ensure long-term space sustainability. Charity has had an incredible journey in the field of space, from spending 23 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force, being the Senior Director of Policy at the Satellite Industry Association and starting a consulting business to support and grow the space industry. Charity stands for space sustainability and becoming a role model for many people in the space sector and has worked with international partners and nations to understand the issues surrounding spaceflight and exploration, in particular the growing concern of space debris.

If you would like to learn more about Charity’s work, check out her Astroscale info on the company website or connect with her on LinkedIn.

29/03/2022

How can someone search for past life on Mars while on Earth? I thought that is why we sent rovers to Mars?

Well...you are right about the rovers, but what if I told you that there are sites on Earth that have environments mirroring what Mars' climate and surface used to look like millions to billions of years ago?

Find out in this episode with space explorer Dr. Angélica Anglés!

Season 2 Episode 8: Using Earth to Search for Past Life on Mars

Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-qb7cb-11e204d

Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your daily podcasting.

Dr. Angélica Anglés is a planetary scientist and astrobiologist (and pianist) whose research is centred around the search for extraterrestrial life on Mars. She studies extreme environments as Mars analog sites, mostly the Qaidam Basin in the mountains of Tibet to find clues for the possibility of life on Mars. Thanks to her research, she took part in the Landing Site Selection for the NASA Mars 2020 planetary mission and she has been part of several NASA panels. She has won several awards and scholarships to study extreme environments on Earth, such as the Pilbara in Australia, the hot springs in Rotorua (New Zealand), Lake Ciso in Spain or the French Pyrénées. She is the author of several scientific publications in peer reviewed journals and has co-authored a book (Astrobiology & Society in Europe Today) published in 2017. Additionally, she is recognized in the media as an expert in this field, with multiple radio interviews, TV and social media appearances. This year Harper’s BAZAAR magazine awarded her the title of Visionary Woman 2020, aimed to recognize and honor high-achieving female leaders with true vision in several different fields. Furthermore, she is the Chair of the Explorers Club Hong Kong Chapter, and currently she is still searching for life on Mars!

If you would like to learn more about Angélica’s work on Mars analogue research and astrobiology, check out her website www.angelicaangles.com or follow her on Instagram .

26/03/2022

Rocks and natural structures on Earth are not only observed and protected for science. There are some that have cultural and historical significance to local communities.

Scientists need to understand the history and culture of sites they survey and sample, otherwise local communities will be uneasy of people disrespecting their natural heritage.

I talk about this topic with space explorer Dr. Anna Losiak.

Season 2 Episode 7: Cultural Importance of the Land We Study

Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-qac2p-11d78f8

Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your daily podcasting.

I speak with Dr Anna Losiak, a planetary geologist at the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Chief Science Officer for the European Rover Challenge. Anna started her career in planetary science when she moved to the United States to obtain her Master’s degree at Michigan State University, and later returned to Europe to obtain her PhD studying impact craters at the University of Vienna. Anna tells me about her journey travelling and studying in the United States, how planetary science research is conducted differently in North America and Europe, and what it means to respect the land where geologists conduct field work. One take away message I hope you all learn from Anna is how important it is to understand the archeological and cultural significance of field sites on Earth. Anna and I talk about the Kaali Crater in Estonia and the cultural connections it has with the local community. Near the end of the episode, Anna gets to tell me about her incredible work with the European Rover Challenge, the largest Mars analogue rover challenge in the world!

If you would like to learn more about Anna’s work on impact cratering and the European Rover Challenge, check out the European Rove Challenge website, or connect with Anna on LinkedIn.

24/03/2022

I am currently studying medicine, but I am also interested in space. Is there a career for me to use both medicine and space exploration?

Of course there is 🤩 Just ask space explorer Dr. Shawna Pandya

Season 2 Episode 6: Human Spaceflight and Medicine

Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-j5ysy-11ceb79

Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your daily podcasting.

Synopsis:

In this episode, I speak with Dr Shawna Pandya, a Canadian physician, and scientist-astronaut program graduate with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences. Dr Pandya is wearer of many hats, from being the director of the IIAS Space Medicine Group, Chief Instructor of the IIAS Operational Space Medicine course, Director of Medical Research at Orbital Assembly Corporation, Primary Investigator for the Shad Canada-Blue Origin student microgravity competition, and as well as many more. I am taken on journey by Dr Pandya about how she has dedicated her life to connecting the public to the space sector, merging the world of clinical and medical science to human space flight, and mentoring the next generation of space explorers through outreach initiatives and through Project PoSSUM. From this episode, we will how people from all backgrounds can come together to participate and contribute to space exploration, and work as a single, inclusive community.

For more about Dr. Pandya, she was also part of the first crew to test a commercial spacesuit in zero-gravity in 2015. She earned her aquanaut designation during the 2019 NEPTUNE (Nautical Experiments in Physiology, Technology and Underwater Exploration) mission, and she has previously served as Commander during a 2020 tour at the Mars Desert Research Station. Her expeditions were captured in the Land Rover short, released with the Apollo 11: First Steps film. She previously interned at ESA’s European Astronaut Center and NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and she has also published numerous articles and chapters on space technologies that have benefitted terrestrial medicine, psychological resilience in long-duration spaceflight, and reproduction and sexuality in long-duration spaceflight.

Dr. Pandya is a seasoned speaker and has given keynotes all around the world, including TEDxEdmonton 2010, TEDxUAlberta 2016 on Success, Failure, Resilience and Pushing the Limits, TEDxISU 2019 at the International Space University on “Discovering Exploration,” and in former Canadian Prime Minister Rt Hon. Kim Campbell’s Peter Lougheed Leadership College Leadership Lecture Series on Emotional Intelligence.

If you would like to learn more about Shawna’s work, you can read about her experiences and journey on her on her website shawnapandya.com. You can also find Shawna on LinkedIn and on Instagram .

In this episode, we speak with Dr Shawna Pandya, a Canadian physician, and scientist-astronaut program graduate with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences. Dr Pandya is wearer of many hats, from being the director of the IIAS Space Medicine Group, Chief Instructor of the IIAS Operat...

21/03/2022

Introducing Season 2 Episode 5 with Space Explorer Zac Trolley!

Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-gw565-11c3360
Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your daily podcasting.

Synopsis:

Lunar resources are becoming the talk of the aerospace industry, for what they will bring for long-term human exploration on the Moon and in Deep Space. In the past decade, aerospace companies and space agencies have been reaching out to terrestrial exploration companies, such as oil & gas and mining, to ask how technology they use in harsh environments on Earth can be adapted and modified for the lunar environment. Conversations are still new, and there are still a lot more collaborations needed to progress forward to search for resources on the Moon.

Zac Trolley who is the Chief Executive Officer at the Lunar Water Supply Company in Alberta, Canada and has been involved in engineering since 2008. Zac is particularly interested in water-ice and resource potential on the Moon, and help companies understand the potential the Moon has for long-term space exploration. Zac takes me on his journey about how the Lunar Water Supply Company started and what it is about resources on the Moon that drives his passion in the space sector. From this episode, we will learn why the private sector are interested in resources on the Moon, and how non-space and aerospace companies perceive the growing and expanding space sector.

To learn more about Zac's work and the Lunar Water Supply Company you should check out their team's page on their website lunarwatersupply.com/team.

20/03/2022

Introducing Season 2 Episode 4 with Space Explorer Lavontria Miche Aaron

Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-nix33-11b913c
Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Synopsis:

Writing and reading is a huge part of everyone's career. We cannot escape it, let only, fully master it. In STEM, writing and reading becomes the bread and butter of your daily routine, so figuring out how to read and write like a scientist becomes a challenge at the beginning. We learn from our guest today all about the challenges graduate students face when learning scientific writing and understanding how to properly digest a scientific paper.

In this episode, I speak with PhD student Miche Aaron who studies earth and planetary science at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, USA. Miche brings me to a worlds of Martian impact craters and how herself and other scientists study hydrothermal clays and sulfates using a technique known as remote spectroscopy. She explains how impact craters provide us a window to studying the rocks beneath the surface of a planet, and how they are connected to finding both extinct and extant life. Miche also takes me on a journey about how she learned to write like a scientist and read the important details in peer-reviewed papers and communicate planetary science research to audiences outside of STEM. Her experience learning scientific writing and science communication has led her to become a lead volunteer at the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution and a DC STEM Network Ambassador at Carnegie Institution for Science. Miche tells me about her initiative The Women+ of Color Project and how herself and colleagues offer workshops for underrepresented groups wanting to apply for graduate school.

If you would like to learn more about Miche’s work on Martian impact cratering, outreach, and women of color projects, check out her website www.micheaaron.com and follow her activity her Twitter .

Johns Hopkins University

19/03/2022

Introducing Season 2 Episode 3 with Space Explorer Dr Beck Strauss

Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-wrjp5-11b9123
Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Magnets are everywhere in our lives, from holding holiday souvenirs on our fridges to helping improve rail line systems and transportation. But did you know that magnets, or more specifically the study of magnetic properties, magnetism, can tell us a lot about the history of a planetary body? Well if you did not, after this episode, you will learn a new meaning of the phrase "magnets are cool!".

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Beck Strauss (they/them/theirs) who is a research scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on detail to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where their work focuses on the development of techniques and instrumentation for experimental analyses of geological material during spaceflight. As a planetary geophysicist, Dr. Strauss studies how rocks and minerals from the Moon and other planets record changing magnetic fields over billions of years. When not elbows-deep in a magnetometer, they can also be found advocating for gender inclusive methods in studies of the space science workforce.

If you would like to learn more about Beck’s work on geomagnetism and gender inclusivity and equity, you can check out their website bestrauss.com.

17/03/2022

Introducing Season 2 Episode 2 with Space Explorer Bettina Forget

The arts and sciences have always been considered separate entities that rarely overlap. Science used data and facts to test hypotheses while art uses material, music, movement, and illustrations to express emotions and experiences. Time to visit a world where the two are combined! In this episode, we learn from Concordia University PhD candidate Bettina Forget about her work on science-art communication, feminism through lunar craters, and expressing science data using various art techniques.

Episode Link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-8nc2b-11a5b06

Also on podcast platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Space Explorer - Bettina Forget

Bettina Forget is a Montreal-based artist, researcher, and educator.
Bettina directs the SETI Institute’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program. In this capacity she facilitates the collaboration between artists and SETI researchers, foregrounds art-science research practice, and establishes a network of institutional partners active in art, science, and technology.
She is currently a doctoral candidate in Art Education at Concordia University, Canada where she examines how the recontextualization of art and science may disrupt gender stereotypes.
Bettina’s creative work explores the subjects of astronomy, science fiction, and feminism. She has exhibited her artwork in the USA, Canada, Germany, Iceland, Russia, Singapore, and Nicaragua.
Born in Germany, Bettina has studied at Central St-Martins School of Art in London, England, at Curtin University in Perth, Australia and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore.

To learn more about Bettina's work, you check out her sketches and art pieces on her website Women With Impact, or you can find her on LinkedIn, or on Instagram .

Concordia University