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

Ariel Ekblaw is the director of the MIT Space Exploration Initiative. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off - Coinbase: https://coinbase.com/lex to get $10 in free Bitcoin - Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit - ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free - Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil EPISODE LINKS: Ariel's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ariel_ekblaw MIT Space Exploration Initiative: https://media.mit.edu/groups/space-exploration Books and resources mentioned: Into the Anthropocosmos (book): https://amzn.to/3CUIchM Seveneves (book): https://amzn.to/36ipd4O Endurance (book): https://amzn.to/3CYdKDJ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (06:51) - Space exploration (15:58) - Swarm robotics and self-assembling space habitats (33:39) - Microgravity (37:56) - Deep duration space missions (43:06) - Extraterrestrial life (49:29) - Music and sports in space (56:08) - Colonizing space (1:03:28) - War in space (1:08:02) - Robots in space (1:22:43) - Commercial space exploration (1:26:21) - Future of space exploration (1:34:07) - Beauty of the universe (1:39:03) - Space cities (1:44:44) - Advice for young people (1:48:04) - Consciousness (1:49:50) - Meaning of life