JRE #1425 - Garrett Reisman

7-Feb-20

Joe Rogan Podcast #1425 – Garrett Reisman: Topic Breakdown

This podcast features a fascinating conversation with Garrett Reisman, a former NASA astronaut, current professor of Astronautical Engineering at USC, and Senior Advisor at SpaceX. Joe Rogan and Garrett delve into the unique experiences of space travel and the challenges of adapting to the extreme environments of space and the deep ocean. The conversation touches on the realities of space exploration, highlighting both the awe-inspiring and the mundane aspects of a life beyond Earth. Underlying themes explore the human capacity for adaptation, the complexities of technology and innovation, and the future of humanity’s exploration of the cosmos.

1. Life in Space: A Gravity-Defying Existence

The podcast opens with Garrett’s description of his 95-day mission on the International Space Station and the physical challenges of returning to Earth.
Garrett details the impact of microgravity on the human body, including bone density loss and muscle atrophy, and the countermeasures employed by astronauts to combat these effects.
The conversation explores the fascinating phenomenon of “space brain” and the unique sensory adaptations astronauts undergo, including fluid shifts in the body and altered senses of smell and taste.
Joe and Garrett discuss the potential long-term effects of prolonged space travel on the human body and the implications for future missions to Mars and beyond.

2. Spacewalking: A Mechanic in a Medieval Suit of Armor

Garrett recounts his experiences conducting spacewalks, highlighting the challenges of working in a bulky, pressurized suit and the importance of mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
The podcast explores the intense physical demands of spacewalks, with Garrett comparing the experience to “changing the oil in your car while wearing a medieval suit of armor.”
Garrett shares a humorous anecdote about his “space pooping” experiment during training and the challenges of avoiding bodily functions during extended spacewalks.
The conversation touches on the importance of improvisation and adaptation in space, highlighting the unique human abilities that robots and artificial intelligence cannot yet replicate.

3. Underwater Exploration: A Dive into the Abyss

Garrett details his two-week experience living in a habitat at the bottom of the ocean, describing the extreme pressure conditions and the unique challenges of underwater exploration.
The podcast explores the psychological and physiological adaptations required for saturation diving, including the gradual decompression process and the potential dangers of nitrogen buildup in the blood.
Garrett recounts a frightening encounter with a Goliath grouper while on a night dive, illustrating the inherent dangers of the deep ocean.
Joe and Garrett discuss the similarities and differences between living in space and underwater, emphasizing the surreal nature of both experiences.

4. The End of the Shuttle Era and the Rise of Commercial Spaceflight

Garrett explains the reasons behind the retirement of the Space Shuttle program, including safety concerns and the prohibitive cost of maintenance.
The podcast discusses the emergence of private companies like SpaceX and Boeing as major players in human spaceflight, highlighting the shift from government-funded programs to public-private partnerships.
Joe and Garrett explore the advantages of commercial spaceflight, including increased innovation, cost-effectiveness, and the potential for space tourism.
The conversation looks ahead to the future of space travel, emphasizing the transformative potential of private companies to achieve long-term goals of human exploration and colonization of Mars and beyond.

5. SpaceX: A Visionary Company Pioneering the Future

Garrett describes his role at SpaceX, including his work on the Dragon Crew capsule and the company’s mission to create a self-sustaining colony on Mars.
The podcast highlights the groundbreaking technology developed by SpaceX, including the reusable Falcon 9 rocket and the ambitious Starship project, designed for deep space travel.
Joe and Garrett discuss the role of Elon Musk as a visionary leader and his relentless pursuit of ambitious goals, contrasting his approach to traditional aerospace companies.
The conversation explores the potential of nuclear thermal propulsion as a more efficient and sustainable method for deep space travel.

6. The Future of Humanity: Expanding Beyond Earth

Garrett and Joe discuss the challenges of long-duration space travel, including the effects of radiation on the human body, and potential solutions like shielding and active magnetic fields.
The podcast explores the implications of human colonization on other planets, including the need for food production and the challenges of adapting to different gravity environments.
The conversation touches on the potential for terraforming Mars, a hypothetical process of altering the planet’s atmosphere to create a more habitable environment.
Joe and Garrett ponder the ultimate fate of humanity, suggesting that expanding beyond Earth may be necessary for long-term survival.

7. Elon Musk’s Vision for Mars and Beyond

Garrett shares insights into Elon Musk’s ambitious plans to establish a permanent colony on Mars, highlighting the billionaire’s unwavering commitment to this goal.
The podcast discusses the potential challenges and opportunities of Mars colonization, including the need for robust radiation protection and the development of sustainable infrastructure.
Joe and Garrett speculate on the potential for terraforming Mars and the feasibility of creating a livable environment on the planet.
The conversation emphasizes Elon Musk’s impact on the future of humanity, positioning him as a visionary leader pushing the boundaries of innovation and exploration.

8. Neuralink: The Future of Human-Computer Interaction

The podcast touches on Elon Musk’s Neuralink project, a company developing brain-computer interfaces that aim to enhance human cognitive abilities.
Joe and Garrett discuss the potential benefits and risks of such technology, exploring the ethical considerations of directly connecting the human brain to computers.
The conversation examines the potential for Neuralink to revolutionize human-computer interaction and the potential implications for society.
Garrett expresses his reservations about Neuralink, acknowledging the potential for societal divides and the importance of responsible development of this technology.

9. Space Junk: A Growing Threat to Space Exploration

The podcast explores the growing problem of space junk, highlighting the dangers posed to spacecraft and astronauts by debris orbiting Earth.
Garrett explains the challenges of cleaning up space debris and the importance of mitigating the creation of new debris.
The conversation discusses the potential of technologies like lasers to remove space debris and the need for international cooperation to address this global issue.
Joe and Garrett emphasize the long-term consequences of neglecting space debris and the importance of responsible space exploration.

10. The Interplay of Science Fiction and Science Fact

Garrett reflects on the role of science fiction in inspiring real-world innovation, citing the influence of films like “2001: A Space Odyssey” on technological advancements.
The podcast explores the feedback loop between science fiction and science fact, highlighting how fictional ideas can drive real-world progress.
Joe and Garrett discuss the inspiration Garrett drew from Battlestar Galactica, highlighting the role of science fiction in shaping his aspirations for space travel.
The conversation emphasizes the importance of imagination and creativity in driving scientific progress and the potential for science fiction to inspire future generations of explorers.

11. For All Mankind: A Sci Fi Show With Real-World Accuracy

Garrett details his role as a technical consultant on the Apple TV+ series “For All Mankind,” a show exploring an alternate reality where the Soviet Union beat the United States to the moon.
The podcast highlights the show’s commitment to scientific accuracy and Garrett’s involvement in shaping the show’s technical details and ensuring believability.
Joe and Garrett discuss the importance of balance between creative storytelling and scientific realism in science fiction shows and the challenge of striking that balance effectively.
Garrett expresses his satisfaction with the show’s commitment to accuracy and the unique opportunity to contribute his expertise to a compelling story.

12. The Importance of Inspiration and Determination

Garrett shares his childhood inspiration for becoming an astronaut, emphasizing the impact of seeing a photograph of Earth from the moon.
The podcast underscores the importance of both inspiration and determination in achieving ambitious goals, highlighting the role of personal motivation in pursuing a dream.
Joe and Garrett discuss the importance of STEM education in inspiring future generations of scientists and explorers.
Garrett emphasizes the importance of role models and the power of sharing personal experiences to inspire others to pursue their passions.

13. The Legacy of the Space Shuttle Program

Garrett expresses his admiration for the Space Shuttle program, highlighting the technological marvels of the reusable spacecraft.
The podcast acknowledges the limitations of the Shuttle, including safety concerns and the high costs of maintenance.
Joe and Garrett discuss the historical significance of the Shuttle program and the impact it had on human space exploration.
Garrett reflects on the lessons learned from the Shuttle program and the importance of constantly striving for improvement in space exploration technology.

14. Elon Musk’s “Howard Hughes” Moment: A Comparison and a Lesson

Garrett recounts a humorous anecdote about comparing Elon Musk to Howard Hughes, highlighting Musk’s extraordinary drive and ambition.
The podcast explores Musk’s unique ability to pursue multiple ambitious projects simultaneously, showcasing his remarkable talent for innovation and leadership.
Joe and Garrett discuss Musk’s desire to create a lasting legacy that will fundamentally change the way humans live, comparing him to figures like Steve Jobs and Nikola Tesla.
Garrett emphasizes Musk’s remarkable breadth of knowledge and his ability to engage in technical conversations across diverse fields.

15. The Future of Humanity: A Destiny Beyond Earth

The podcast concludes with a hopeful vision for the future of humanity, with Garrett and Joe discussing the potential for human expansion beyond our solar system.
Garrett acknowledges the importance of mitigating environmental challenges on Earth but emphasizes the need for a backup plan for humanity’s survival.
Joe and Joe express their belief in humanity’s ability to overcome challenges and achieve a future of space exploration and interplanetary colonization.
The conversation ends on a note of optimism and excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead for humanity in the vast expanse of space.

5 Memorable Quotes:

“You know, like, being a test pilot was not gonna happen. So I thought being an astronaut wasn’t gonna happen. But then I found out that you could do it, you could be an engineer and be an astronaut. And then, like, that was my Eureka moment.”
“It’s kinda like being a mechanic or a technician. The way I describe it, but the suit is like so hard. It restricts everything you do because it’s blown up to about four pounds per square inch. And so even just closing your fist takes work.”
“The big one that I remember is on on my second spacewalk where connecting this dish antenna and had to go on top of this big boom, like a big pedestal. And there was a connector that had an electrical connector. And we had, like, an hour or so to connect the thing. And without it connected, it wasn’t getting any power or data to that antenna, and it can get too cold. And this gazillion dollar antenna could be worthless hunk, a junk, if you take too long, you’re on the clock.”
“The most important thing is don’t make any more junk. That’s like the the best thing we can do. And we’re getting much smarter. Like, at SpaceX, we take our second stages in all of our NASA missions. And after it after we It’s accomplished its mission. We keep enough gas in the tank to burn the engine one more time and bring it back in one piece. So it doesn’t blow up and just smithered means and cause more junk.”
“I feel extremely fortunate, you know, like, to have that experience I had at NASA and have the visceral experience, the incredible experience of of flying in space, doing spacewalks, operating robot arms, launching on rockets, and all that. And then coming to SpaceX and being there at in in the relatively early days and and being there for seven years. I I feel like, you know, I feel pretty satisfied that I can have to see I got in incredibly lucky to see these things and be in a room where it happens.”