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Paving the Way to Planetary Settlement | Rob Kelso | TEDxAustinCollege


[Music]

[Music] for centuries humankind has dreamed of

for centuries humankind has dreamed of

for centuries humankind has dreamed of living among the stars and this really

living among the stars and this really

living among the stars and this really took off to the 1950s and 60s with

took off to the 1950s and 60s with

took off to the 1950s and 60s with science fiction books and movies of

science fiction books and movies of

science fiction books and movies of outposts on the moon and adventures on

outposts on the moon and adventures on

outposts on the moon and adventures on colonies on Mars and who was not

colonies on Mars and who was not

colonies on Mars and who was not captivated a year ago with the movie the

captivated a year ago with the movie the

captivated a year ago with the movie the Martian by best-selling author Andy weir

Martian by best-selling author Andy weir

Martian by best-selling author Andy weir of an astronaut who gets left for dead

of an astronaut who gets left for dead

of an astronaut who gets left for dead in a sandstorm only to revive and that

in a sandstorm only to revive and that

in a sandstorm only to revive and that having to survive in the harsh

having to survive in the harsh

having to survive in the harsh environment of the red planet Mars

environment of the red planet Mars

environment of the red planet Mars closer to home though and reality is

closer to home though and reality is

closer to home though and reality is Elon Musk’s of SpaceX whose real dream

Elon Musk’s of SpaceX whose real dream

Elon Musk’s of SpaceX whose real dream is to settle Mars with the spaceship

is to settle Mars with the spaceship

is to settle Mars with the spaceship going there from him as early as 2024

going there from him as early as 2024

going there from him as early as 2024 and in 50 years having factories and

and in 50 years having factories and

and in 50 years having factories and pizza joints so the premise here is that

pizza joints so the premise here is that

pizza joints so the premise here is that planetary settlement is not a question

planetary settlement is not a question

planetary settlement is not a question of if but rather a question of when and

of if but rather a question of when and

of if but rather a question of when and the and the reasons why are getting very

the and the reasons why are getting very

the and the reasons why are getting very interesting in the discussion is much

interesting in the discussion is much

interesting in the discussion is much more than the traditional values of

more than the traditional values of

more than the traditional values of science and exploration and discovery

science and exploration and discovery

science and exploration and discovery over the last few years that discuss

over the last few years that discuss

over the last few years that discuss discussions have centered around human

discussions have centered around human

discussions have centered around human sustainability and human survivability

sustainability and human survivability

sustainability and human survivability becoming a multi-planet species to

becoming a multi-planet species to

becoming a multi-planet species to become risk-averse of some catalysts

become risk-averse of some catalysts

become risk-averse of some catalysts cataclysmic event that might wipe wipe

cataclysmic event that might wipe wipe

cataclysmic event that might wipe wipe out the whole human race and the

out the whole human race and the

out the whole human race and the dinosaurs certainly knew about

dinosaurs certainly knew about

dinosaurs certainly knew about extinction didn’t they 66 million years

extinction didn’t they 66 million years

extinction didn’t they 66 million years ago a large comet or astronaut asteroid

ago a large comet or astronaut asteroid

ago a large comet or astronaut asteroid impacted into the southern part of the

impacted into the southern part of the

impacted into the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula

Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula

Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula and it produced a huge tsunami that

and it produced a huge tsunami that

and it produced a huge tsunami that wiped out the plant and animal life all

wiped out the plant and animal life all

wiped out the plant and animal life all across North America but worse it

across North America but worse it

across North America but worse it a huge upwelling of debris and material

a huge upwelling of debris and material

a huge upwelling of debris and material that shrouded our planet and prevented

that shrouded our planet and prevented

that shrouded our planet and prevented the solar energy from the Sun from

the solar energy from the Sun from

the solar energy from the Sun from reaching the surface resulting in a

reaching the surface resulting in a

reaching the surface resulting in a cooling-off period and the extinction of

cooling-off period and the extinction of

cooling-off period and the extinction of the dinosaurs

the dinosaurs

the dinosaurs some have comically said that the

some have comically said that the

some have comically said that the extinction of the dinosaurs was because

extinction of the dinosaurs was because

extinction of the dinosaurs was because they didn’t have a space program but

they didn’t have a space program but

they didn’t have a space program but we’ve got a space program and the debate

we’ve got a space program and the debate

we’ve got a space program and the debate is whether to go to the Moon or Mars

is whether to go to the Moon or Mars

is whether to go to the Moon or Mars some say we need to just bypass the moon

some say we need to just bypass the moon

some say we need to just bypass the moon do not pass go do not collect $200 go

do not pass go do not collect $200 go

do not pass go do not collect $200 go straight to Mars with maybe a couple

straight to Mars with maybe a couple

straight to Mars with maybe a couple hundred people to become multi-planet

hundred people to become multi-planet

hundred people to become multi-planet species others say now forget Mars let’s

species others say now forget Mars let’s

species others say now forget Mars let’s just go the direct to the moon I and

just go the direct to the moon I and

just go the direct to the moon I and other scientists and engineers think we

other scientists and engineers think we

other scientists and engineers think we ought to go to Mars but by way of the

ought to go to Mars but by way of the

ought to go to Mars but by way of the moon using the moon to test the

moon using the moon to test the

moon using the moon to test the technologies and the concepts and

technologies and the concepts and

technologies and the concepts and develop the ideas for how we can live

develop the ideas for how we can live

develop the ideas for how we can live off the planet because the moon is only

off the planet because the moon is only

off the planet because the moon is only three days away where Mars there’s a

three days away where Mars there’s a

three days away where Mars there’s a year and a half away and who does not

year and a half away and who does not

year and a half away and who does not remember the first footstep on the moon

remember the first footstep on the moon

remember the first footstep on the moon with Neil Armstrong on Apollo 11 but who

with Neil Armstrong on Apollo 11 but who

with Neil Armstrong on Apollo 11 but who remembers the last footstep December

remembers the last footstep December

remembers the last footstep December 1972 Apollo 17 was the last manned lunar

1972 Apollo 17 was the last manned lunar

1972 Apollo 17 was the last manned lunar mission to the moon it ended the 10

mission to the moon it ended the 10

mission to the moon it ended the 10 years of the Apollo program it sat on

years of the Apollo program it sat on

years of the Apollo program it sat on the moon for ten days and over over

the moon for ten days and over over

the moon for ten days and over over three days

three days

three days they conducted three long spacewalks

they conducted three long spacewalks

they conducted three long spacewalks even riding around an electric car they

even riding around an electric car they

even riding around an electric car they found orange soil on their exploration

found orange soil on their exploration

found orange soil on their exploration which was orange glass from volcanic

which was orange glass from volcanic

which was orange glass from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago it even

eruptions millions of years ago it even

eruptions millions of years ago it even included the first scientist on the moon

included the first scientist on the moon

included the first scientist on the moon a geologist dr. Harrison Jack Schmitt

a geologist dr. Harrison Jack Schmitt

a geologist dr. Harrison Jack Schmitt but when they left many of us thought

but when they left many of us thought

but when they left many of us thought just a few years we’ll be back to

just a few years we’ll be back to

just a few years we’ll be back to exploring the moon with humans again or

exploring the moon with humans again or

exploring the moon with humans again or maybe we’ll use the Apollo program as

maybe we’ll use the Apollo program as

maybe we’ll use the Apollo program as the stepping stone to now move on to

the stepping stone to now move on to

the stepping stone to now move on to Mars but it was not to be it has been 45

Mars but it was not to be it has been 45

Mars but it was not to be it has been 45 years

years

years since we’ve had a footstep on the moon

since we’ve had a footstep on the moon

since we’ve had a footstep on the moon it is time to go back to the moon the

it is time to go back to the moon the

it is time to go back to the moon the moon is very different today than it was

moon is very different today than it was

moon is very different today than it was during the Apollo program in the time

during the Apollo program in the time

during the Apollo program in the time period of Apollo we thought it was not

period of Apollo we thought it was not

period of Apollo we thought it was not only airless but waterless that any

only airless but waterless that any

only airless but waterless that any water that might exist would just

water that might exist would just

water that might exist would just sublimate away how wrong we were how

sublimate away how wrong we were how

sublimate away how wrong we were how very wrong we were since 2008

very wrong we were since 2008

very wrong we were since 2008 we have known that there’s water on the

we have known that there’s water on the

we have known that there’s water on the moon lots of water one estimate

moon lots of water one estimate

moon lots of water one estimate indicates that there could be 10 billion

indicates that there could be 10 billion

indicates that there could be 10 billion metric tons of water that’s billion with

metric tons of water that’s billion with

metric tons of water that’s billion with the be enough water that would fill the

the be enough water that would fill the

the be enough water that would fill the Great Salt Lake in Utah and the water is

Great Salt Lake in Utah and the water is

Great Salt Lake in Utah and the water is a game-changer for us it exempts new

a game-changer for us it exempts new

a game-changer for us it exempts new capabilities for resources say on the

capabilities for resources say on the

capabilities for resources say on the International Space Station in orbits

International Space Station in orbits

International Space Station in orbits the earth in low-earth orbit every 90

the earth in low-earth orbit every 90

the earth in low-earth orbit every 90 minutes but is totally dependent on the

minutes but is totally dependent on the

minutes but is totally dependent on the earth for supplies this is totally

earth for supplies this is totally

earth for supplies this is totally reliant on the earth for food for water

reliant on the earth for food for water

reliant on the earth for food for water for air for for clothing for propellant

for air for for clothing for propellant

for air for for clothing for propellant and as we go on to expand humanity among

and as we go on to expand humanity among

and as we go on to expand humanity among the stars we can’t operate that way

the stars we can’t operate that way

the stars we can’t operate that way we’re we’re dependent on the earth we

we’re we’re dependent on the earth we

we’re we’re dependent on the earth we have to become not earth reliant but

have to become not earth reliant but

have to become not earth reliant but earth and dependent and be able to live

earth and dependent and be able to live

earth and dependent and be able to live in a different type of model one that is

in a different type of model one that is

in a different type of model one that is called living off the land the

called living off the land the

called living off the land the Polynesian voyagers really understood

Polynesian voyagers really understood

Polynesian voyagers really understood this concept up into this point when

this concept up into this point when

this concept up into this point when they began voyage across the oceans

they began voyage across the oceans

they began voyage across the oceans maybe a thousand years ago mankind was

maybe a thousand years ago mankind was

maybe a thousand years ago mankind was moving along the continents through land

moving along the continents through land

moving along the continents through land bridges but the Polynesian voyagers in a

bridges but the Polynesian voyagers in a

bridges but the Polynesian voyagers in a sense became the first astronauts they

sense became the first astronauts they

sense became the first astronauts they went in uncharted oceans in the Pacific

went in uncharted oceans in the Pacific

went in uncharted oceans in the Pacific between Polynesia Easter Island the

between Polynesia Easter Island the

between Polynesia Easter Island the Hawaiian Islands and back that great

Hawaiian Islands and back that great

Hawaiian Islands and back that great triangle and when they meet these made

triangle and when they meet these made

triangle and when they meet these made these journeys they didn’t take years

these journeys they didn’t take years

these journeys they didn’t take years and years to supplies with them of food

and years to supplies with them of food

and years to supplies with them of food and water and clothes they took just

and water and clothes they took just

and water and clothes they took just enough to make the journey to where they

enough to make the journey to where they

enough to make the journey to where they would get to the destination and then

would get to the destination and then

would get to the destination and then once arriving there they would live off

once arriving there they would live off

once arriving there they would live off the land

the land

the land we call this a very special name in situ

we call this a very special name in situ

we call this a very special name in situ resource utilization in situ meaning

resource utilization in situ meaning

resource utilization in situ meaning that where you are the location you are

that where you are the location you are

that where you are the location you are resource utilization meaning to use

resource utilization meaning to use

resource utilization meaning to use those resources where you are to sustain

those resources where you are to sustain

those resources where you are to sustain yourself over a long period of time and

yourself over a long period of time and

yourself over a long period of time and the water becomes the big game changer

the water becomes the big game changer

the water becomes the big game changer it is the gold of space because not only

it is the gold of space because not only

it is the gold of space because not only can we drink it but we can separate the

can we drink it but we can separate the

can we drink it but we can separate the water into its elemental components of

water into its elemental components of

water into its elemental components of hydrogen and oxygen we can breathe the

hydrogen and oxygen we can breathe the

hydrogen and oxygen we can breathe the oxygen but we can also use the gases of

oxygen but we can also use the gases of

oxygen but we can also use the gases of hydrogen oxygen for reactants for fuel

hydrogen oxygen for reactants for fuel

hydrogen oxygen for reactants for fuel cell for energy but most importantly we

cell for energy but most importantly we

cell for energy but most importantly we can use it for propellant cryogenic

can use it for propellant cryogenic

can use it for propellant cryogenic hydrogen and cryogenic oxygen are the

hydrogen and cryogenic oxygen are the

hydrogen and cryogenic oxygen are the most powerful propellants for rocket

most powerful propellants for rocket

most powerful propellants for rocket engines so what this allows us to do is

engines so what this allows us to do is

engines so what this allows us to do is not have to lift all the propellant in a

not have to lift all the propellant in a

not have to lift all the propellant in a rocket to escape earth we can just put

rocket to escape earth we can just put

rocket to escape earth we can just put enough to get away from earth and then

enough to get away from earth and then

enough to get away from earth and then refill up at a gas station a fill Depot

refill up at a gas station a fill Depot

refill up at a gas station a fill Depot in or around the moon to allow our

in or around the moon to allow our

in or around the moon to allow our planetary journeys to continue

planetary journeys to continue

planetary journeys to continue construction material is very similar in

construction material is very similar in

construction material is very similar in resource utilization well we go to moon

resource utilization well we go to moon

resource utilization well we go to moon in Mars to make these outposts or

in Mars to make these outposts or

in Mars to make these outposts or settlements we’re not going to take

settlements we’re not going to take

settlements we’re not going to take steel and an iron with us from the earth

steel and an iron with us from the earth

steel and an iron with us from the earth we’re not going to take rebar we’re not

we’re not going to take rebar we’re not

we’re not going to take rebar we’re not gonna go to Home Depot and load a bunch

gonna go to Home Depot and load a bunch

gonna go to Home Depot and load a bunch of lumber in a spaceship and launch it

of lumber in a spaceship and launch it

of lumber in a spaceship and launch it to Mars ain’t gonna happen it’s just not

to Mars ain’t gonna happen it’s just not

to Mars ain’t gonna happen it’s just not gonna be like that

gonna be like that

gonna be like that we’ll use what’s there we use the

we’ll use what’s there we use the

we’ll use what’s there we use the volcanic material the the lava the

volcanic material the the lava the

volcanic material the the lava the basalt for building landing pads for

basalt for building landing pads for

basalt for building landing pads for shelters for roads for sidewalks and our

shelters for roads for sidewalks and our

shelters for roads for sidewalks and our whole thinking of civil engineering has

whole thinking of civil engineering has

whole thinking of civil engineering has to change because now on Mars were in

to change because now on Mars were in

to change because now on Mars were in 140 on the moon we’re in 160 so what

140 on the moon we’re in 160 so what

140 on the moon we’re in 160 so what does that mean in terms of construction

does that mean in terms of construction

does that mean in terms of construction standards and codes for load bearing

standards and codes for load bearing

standards and codes for load bearing wallets and non load-bearing walls on

wallets and non load-bearing walls on

wallets and non load-bearing walls on those areas and of course we’ll also use

those areas and of course we’ll also use

those areas and of course we’ll also use this for materials on on the for making

this for materials on on the for making

this for materials on on the for making electronics and tools and then also

electronics and tools and then also

electronics and tools and then also resource prosper

resource prosper

resource prosper we want to go find out what the water

we want to go find out what the water

we want to go find out what the water where the water is what is the

where the water is what is the

where the water is what is the constituency of the water what does it

constituency of the water what does it

constituency of the water what does it look like where is the best place to

look like where is the best place to

look like where is the best place to mine we’re the easiest place to have

mine we’re the easiest place to have

mine we’re the easiest place to have access and are there some places that we

access and are there some places that we

access and are there some places that we could build a landing or an outpost site

could build a landing or an outpost site

could build a landing or an outpost site that’s co-located with some of these

that’s co-located with some of these

that’s co-located with some of these deposits so prospecting much less in the

deposits so prospecting much less in the

deposits so prospecting much less in the gold rush days and the this time instead

gold rush days and the this time instead

gold rush days and the this time instead of for water is going to be critical in

of for water is going to be critical in

of for water is going to be critical in this in this resource utilization effort

this in this resource utilization effort

this in this resource utilization effort and then lastly using resources on men

and then lastly using resources on men

and then lastly using resources on men or Mars to make solar rays to collect

or Mars to make solar rays to collect

or Mars to make solar rays to collect solar energy for power and also thermal

solar energy for power and also thermal

solar energy for power and also thermal energy for keeping warm at night the the

energy for keeping warm at night the the

energy for keeping warm at night the the concept of this is very interesting as

concept of this is very interesting as

concept of this is very interesting as we see some of the these mission

we see some of the these mission

we see some of the these mission scenarios play out in almost every case

scenarios play out in almost every case

scenarios play out in almost every case that I see humans don’t go first like we

that I see humans don’t go first like we

that I see humans don’t go first like we did in Apollo the robots and Rovers go

did in Apollo the robots and Rovers go

did in Apollo the robots and Rovers go first to prospect and find the water and

first to prospect and find the water and

first to prospect and find the water and begin assembling the outpost to make

begin assembling the outpost to make

begin assembling the outpost to make landing pads all robotically to begin

landing pads all robotically to begin

landing pads all robotically to begin putting the outpost and hooking them

putting the outpost and hooking them

putting the outpost and hooking them together like Lego sets to build

together like Lego sets to build

together like Lego sets to build infrastructure and sidewalks and then

infrastructure and sidewalks and then

infrastructure and sidewalks and then the humans come to work side-by-side

the humans come to work side-by-side

the humans come to work side-by-side with the humans so let’s envision what

with the humans so let’s envision what

with the humans so let’s envision what one of those scenarios might be let’s

one of those scenarios might be let’s

one of those scenarios might be let’s say we get a large Lander and put down a

say we get a large Lander and put down a

say we get a large Lander and put down a very powerful energy system because you

very powerful energy system because you

very powerful energy system because you can’t do anything without power that’s

can’t do anything without power that’s

can’t do anything without power that’s number one and secondly we would have a

number one and secondly we would have a

number one and secondly we would have a high bandwidth communication device on

high bandwidth communication device on

high bandwidth communication device on the spacecraft to allow us to do tell a

the spacecraft to allow us to do tell a

the spacecraft to allow us to do tell a robotic operations from Earth to all

robotic operations from Earth to all

robotic operations from Earth to all these Rovers the robots that are doing

these Rovers the robots that are doing

these Rovers the robots that are doing the construction for us and then much

the construction for us and then much

the construction for us and then much like a military sortie when we go into a

like a military sortie when we go into a

like a military sortie when we go into a remote area we want to collate co-locate

remote area we want to collate co-locate

remote area we want to collate co-locate all those assets right so we’ll bring

all those assets right so we’ll bring

all those assets right so we’ll bring down our second Lander close to the

down our second Lander close to the

down our second Lander close to the first Lander and all that sounds great

first Lander and all that sounds great

first Lander and all that sounds great doesn’t it but it doesn’t work that way

doesn’t it but it doesn’t work that way

doesn’t it but it doesn’t work that way on Moon and Mars here on earth when we

on Moon and Mars here on earth when we

on Moon and Mars here on earth when we fire a rocket engine and it interfaces

fire a rocket engine and it interfaces

fire a rocket engine and it interfaces with the dust of Earth the thick

with the dust of Earth the thick

with the dust of Earth the thick atmosphere of Earth creates these big

atmosphere of Earth creates these big

atmosphere of Earth creates these big dust clouds these boiling clouds but on

dust clouds these boiling clouds but on

dust clouds these boiling clouds but on Mars and the moon where there’s little

Mars and the moon where there’s little

Mars and the moon where there’s little or no atmosphere it doesn’t work that

or no atmosphere it doesn’t work that

or no atmosphere it doesn’t work that way at all and

way at all and

way at all and act on the Moon and Mars instead of

act on the Moon and Mars instead of

act on the Moon and Mars instead of billowing clouds is the very thick sheet

billowing clouds is the very thick sheet

billowing clouds is the very thick sheet of very tense dense dust the dust on the

of very tense dense dust the dust on the

of very tense dense dust the dust on the moon is about a hundred and fifty

moon is about a hundred and fifty

moon is about a hundred and fifty microns in diameter it’s about the size

microns in diameter it’s about the size

microns in diameter it’s about the size of talcum powder like flour but it’s not

of talcum powder like flour but it’s not

of talcum powder like flour but it’s not soft like talc it’s very brittle very

soft like talc it’s very brittle very

soft like talc it’s very brittle very hard it’s it’s essentially shards of

hard it’s it’s essentially shards of

hard it’s it’s essentially shards of broken glass over millions of years

broken glass over millions of years

broken glass over millions of years micro meteorites and cosmic rays have

micro meteorites and cosmic rays have

micro meteorites and cosmic rays have just broken all the lunar soil up in the

just broken all the lunar soil up in the

just broken all the lunar soil up in the Marcille into very small fragments so

Marcille into very small fragments so

Marcille into very small fragments so you’ve got this very thick dust sheet of

you’ve got this very thick dust sheet of

you’ve got this very thick dust sheet of glass that is about two degrees off the

glass that is about two degrees off the

glass that is about two degrees off the horizon very close to the horizon and it

horizon very close to the horizon and it

horizon very close to the horizon and it travels close to 2,000 meters per second

travels close to 2,000 meters per second

travels close to 2,000 meters per second almost escape velocity for the moon far

almost escape velocity for the moon far

almost escape velocity for the moon far faster than a sandblaster in the Apollo

faster than a sandblaster in the Apollo

faster than a sandblaster in the Apollo days that’s interesting the astronauts

days that’s interesting the astronauts

days that’s interesting the astronauts tell me that when the engines were

tell me that when the engines were

tell me that when the engines were running just after touchdown these dust

running just after touchdown these dust

running just after touchdown these dust sheets were created and they could see

sheets were created and they could see

sheets were created and they could see the tops of boulders very clearly but

the tops of boulders very clearly but

the tops of boulders very clearly but the dust sheet and blow was obscured by

the dust sheet and blow was obscured by

the dust sheet and blow was obscured by this dense sheet and when the engines

this dense sheet and when the engines

this dense sheet and when the engines stopped they could see the tail of the

stopped they could see the tail of the

stopped they could see the tail of the dust sheet heading away from the lunar

dust sheet heading away from the lunar

dust sheet heading away from the lunar spacecraft and then out and over the

spacecraft and then out and over the

spacecraft and then out and over the horizon incredible so it’s a major

horizon incredible so it’s a major

horizon incredible so it’s a major problem because anything that’s in line

problem because anything that’s in line

problem because anything that’s in line of side of that fast-moving dust sheet

of side of that fast-moving dust sheet

of side of that fast-moving dust sheet solar arrays radiators Rovers

solar arrays radiators Rovers

solar arrays radiators Rovers settlements could just be blown away

settlements could just be blown away

settlements could just be blown away destroyed so this has led us to a

destroyed so this has led us to a

destroyed so this has led us to a requirement that we need to first off

requirement that we need to first off

requirement that we need to first off when we get there build a landing pad to

when we get there build a landing pad to

when we get there build a landing pad to stabilize the surface to control the

stabilize the surface to control the

stabilize the surface to control the dust this is one that we built

dust this is one that we built

dust this is one that we built robotically in Hawaii about 18 months

robotically in Hawaii about 18 months

robotically in Hawaii about 18 months ago we got similar material dust in

ago we got similar material dust in

ago we got similar material dust in Hawaii this light Moon and Mars we

Hawaii this light Moon and Mars we

Hawaii this light Moon and Mars we cooked it in a kiln and made one foot by

cooked it in a kiln and made one foot by

cooked it in a kiln and made one foot by one foot pavers like brick pavers each

one foot pavers like brick pavers each

one foot pavers like brick pavers each weighing about 20 pounds and then the

weighing about 20 pounds and then the

weighing about 20 pounds and then the rover with a front blade did leveling

rover with a front blade did leveling

rover with a front blade did leveling and grading and compaction just like we

and grading and compaction just like we

and grading and compaction just like we would do a sidewalk or a street and then

would do a sidewalk or a street and then

would do a sidewalk or a street and then a robotic arm put these 100 pavers down

a robotic arm put these 100 pavers down

a robotic arm put these 100 pavers down in a 10 by 10 matrix to make a landing

in a 10 by 10 matrix to make a landing

in a 10 by 10 matrix to make a landing pad but I intentionally did not grout in

pad but I intentionally did not grout in

pad but I intentionally did not grout in between the gaps of the pavers because I

between the gaps of the pavers because I

between the gaps of the pavers because I wanted to see

wanted to see

wanted to see what would happen in worst case with

what would happen in worst case with

what would happen in worst case with gaps if we did a rocket engine firing so

gaps if we did a rocket engine firing so

gaps if we did a rocket engine firing so I went and bought a 2000 pound rocket

I went and bought a 2000 pound rocket

I went and bought a 2000 pound rocket engine put it on a fixed service

engine put it on a fixed service

engine put it on a fixed service structure of gantry over the landing pad

structure of gantry over the landing pad

structure of gantry over the landing pad and lit the thing off and this is what

and lit the thing off and this is what

and lit the thing off and this is what it looked like the gases got down in

it looked like the gases got down in

it looked like the gases got down in between the the pavers and you see the

between the the pavers and you see the

between the the pavers and you see the pad lift and settle and then lift again

pad lift and settle and then lift again

pad lift and settle and then lift again with the gases and then it’s just throws

with the gases and then it’s just throws

with the gases and then it’s just throws these 20-pound pavers around like tinker

these 20-pound pavers around like tinker

these 20-pound pavers around like tinker toys it was amazing I didn’t think we’d

toys it was amazing I didn’t think we’d

toys it was amazing I didn’t think we’d have that much damage

have that much damage

have that much damage and I went ah you know this is a good

and I went ah you know this is a good

and I went ah you know this is a good you know back to the drawing board

you know back to the drawing board

you know back to the drawing board you know it did quite work like I

you know it did quite work like I

you know it did quite work like I thought it was going to work totally

thought it was going to work totally

thought it was going to work totally destroyed the pad and you know what also

destroyed the pad and you know what also

destroyed the pad and you know what also figured out is is that unlike the space

figured out is is that unlike the space

figured out is is that unlike the space shuttle program that I directed when we

shuttle program that I directed when we

shuttle program that I directed when we go to settle on Moon and Mars we need

go to settle on Moon and Mars we need

go to settle on Moon and Mars we need different academic skills we need civil

different academic skills we need civil

different academic skills we need civil engineers we need architects we need

engineers we need architects we need

engineers we need architects we need geologists and volcanologists or

geologists and volcanologists or

geologists and volcanologists or roboticists we need people that

roboticists we need people that

roboticists we need people that understand farming and and growing

understand farming and and growing

understand farming and and growing plants inside domes like we saw in the

plants inside domes like we saw in the

plants inside domes like we saw in the Martian so it’s a whole new thinking

Martian so it’s a whole new thinking

Martian so it’s a whole new thinking also of skills that we need when we go

also of skills that we need when we go

also of skills that we need when we go to Moon and Mars and then interesting

to Moon and Mars and then interesting

to Moon and Mars and then interesting enough there’s also the concept of doing

enough there’s also the concept of doing

enough there’s also the concept of doing 3d printing to make these shelters

3d printing to make these shelters

3d printing to make these shelters today’s technology I don’t know if you

today’s technology I don’t know if you

today’s technology I don’t know if you know but we can 3d print a house with

know but we can 3d print a house with

know but we can 3d print a house with concrete in 48 hours with conduit so we

concrete in 48 hours with conduit so we

concrete in 48 hours with conduit so we could take that same approach to the

could take that same approach to the

could take that same approach to the moon instead of using concrete we use

moon instead of using concrete we use

moon instead of using concrete we use the batch material that is the fine

the batch material that is the fine

the batch material that is the fine grain the flour that’s on Moon and Mars

grain the flour that’s on Moon and Mars

grain the flour that’s on Moon and Mars to make these shelters and so as we look

to make these shelters and so as we look

to make these shelters and so as we look forward to going to Moon and Mars we’re

forward to going to Moon and Mars we’re

forward to going to Moon and Mars we’re gonna have a little different mindset I

gonna have a little different mindset I

gonna have a little different mindset I am a child of Apollo as many of you are

am a child of Apollo as many of you are

am a child of Apollo as many of you are I I was two or three years short of

I I was two or three years short of

I I was two or three years short of being able to work on the lunar programs

being able to work on the lunar programs

being able to work on the lunar programs the moon has very always been very

the moon has very always been very

the moon has very always been very passionate to me I think in the next few

passionate to me I think in the next few

passionate to me I think in the next few years we’re going to be seeing

years we’re going to be seeing

years we’re going to be seeing technology demonstrations on the moon

technology demonstrations on the moon

technology demonstrations on the moon that lay the groundwork for settlements

that lay the groundwork for settlements

that lay the groundwork for settlements for on the Moon and Mars

for on the Moon and Mars

for on the Moon and Mars imagine making the first brick on the

imagine making the first brick on the

imagine making the first brick on the moon or drilling for the first time on

moon or drilling for the first time on

moon or drilling for the first time on the moon or figuring out what kind of

the moon or figuring out what kind of

the moon or figuring out what kind of ice it is on the moon we just don’t know

ice it is on the moon we just don’t know

ice it is on the moon we just don’t know but it’s going to lead us in all these

but it’s going to lead us in all these

but it’s going to lead us in all these concepts as we test them in the close

concepts as we test them in the close

concepts as we test them in the close proximity of the moon to earth as we

proximity of the moon to earth as we

proximity of the moon to earth as we develop and feed-forward those concepts

develop and feed-forward those concepts

develop and feed-forward those concepts for settlement on Mars so as we say in

for settlement on Mars so as we say in

for settlement on Mars so as we say in Hawaii Mahalo Nui lo ah thank you very

Hawaii Mahalo Nui lo ah thank you very

Hawaii Mahalo Nui lo ah thank you very much for allowing me to come and share

much for allowing me to come and share

much for allowing me to come and share with you today Mahalo

”

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