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Based in Shanghai for the past decade, Slovenian photographer Matjaž Tančič has uncovered a hidden space revolution happening far from the spotlight. Through his 'Mars on Earth' project, he documents remarkable space innovations emerging in the world's most unexpected places.

Starting with candid insights into modern-day China, Tančič reveals how space ambitions and breakthrough technologies are flourishing beyond traditional aerospace centers.

Highlights
Life in Modern China [00:03:01 - 00:19:21]

• [00:04:21] China's digital ecosystem and social surveillance
• [00:11:59] Life and community in Shanghai's French Concession
• [00:17:11] Navigating language and culture
• [00:19:21] Living costs and lifestyle contrasts

Society & Development [00:20:51 - 00:34:12]

• [00:20:51] Professional landscape and opportunities
• [00:24:21] Urban-rural development dynamics
• [00:31:25] Education and technology priorities

The Mars on Earth Project [00:34:52 - 00:51:43]

• [00:34:52] Origins of the project in Gobi Desert
• [00:40:32] Documentation of global space initiatives
• [00:46:15] Meeting with Mongolia's first cosmonaut
• [00:49:05] Photographing space innovation worldwide

Future of Space Exploration [00:51:43 - 01:21:31]

• [00:51:43] Discussion of first Mars landing possibilities
• [01:10:25] 3D photography in space documentation
• [01:15:16] Collaboration with innovative space companies
• [01:17:08] Personal aspirations for space travel
• [01:20:00] Final thoughts on inclusive space exploration

Key Topics Discussed
Untraditional Space Innovation

• Mongolian engineers developing Mars rovers inspired by camels
• Slovenian company Duol creating inflatable habitats for NASA
• Space doctor Dr. Susan Jewel's VR medical training system
• Armenian watchmaker crafting timepieces for Mars time
• Barbara Belvisi's Interstellar Lab creating closed-loop habitat systems
• ALE's artificial shooting star technology in Tokyo
• South Africa's growing space sector with 200+ startups
• The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope project
• Chinese space program developments

Quote

• "New planet is going to be Tabula Rasa... we can do there whatever we want and we can make it right."

Links & References

• Interstellar Lab
• ALE (Artificial Shooting Stars)
• Square Kilometre Array Project
• Duol Space Habitats

Photography & Visual Elements

• Featured photo: Astronaut on camel in Mongolian desert [00:52:54]
• Biopod installation in Paris [01:13:14]
• Mars simulation base in Gobi Desert [00:52:09]
• Various space technology prototypes

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Guest: Dr. Robert Zubrin, Founder of the Mars Society and Author of "The New World on Mars"

In this expansive conversation, Dr. Robert Zubrin takes us beyond the technical challenges of reaching Mars to explore the complex realities of establishing permanent human settlements on the Red Planet. While the world watches Starship development, Zubrin reveals how energy production, food sustainability, radiation protection, and governance structures pose the real challenges for human survival on Mars. His insights challenge common misconceptions and propose innovative solutions for everything from terraforming to creating new societies, demonstrating how Mars settlement could reshape human civilization both on and off Earth.

Quotable Insights:

1. "Mars will be ruled by the Martians. Different groups of people will emigrate to Mars with very different ideals as to what the ideal society should be."
2. "We don't go to Mars to desert the Earth. We go to Mars to expand the capacity of the human race, to create new branches of human civilization."
3. "I believe that humans are not the enemies of life, humans are the vanguards of life."
4. "We have in our power to begin the world anew."

Cosmic Timeline (Timestamps):

• [00:00:00] Opening: Mars governance and future civilizations
• [00:02:23] Realistic timeline for human Mars missions within next decade
• [00:03:46] Energy challenges on Mars - nuclear vs. solar power
• [00:06:20] First expedition structure and duration
• [00:09:31] Economics of Mars transportation and Starship development
• [00:13:51] Transition from expeditions to permanent settlements
• [00:20:00] Mars Against Hunger Prize and food production innovations
• [00:30:34] Radiation protection strategies and reality check
• [00:34:23] Living arrangements: underground vs. surface habitats
• [00:40:56] Terraforming possibilities using fluorocarbon gases
• [00:42:42] Alternative terraforming methods using iron nanoparticles
• [00:49:23] Mars governance models and settlement structures
• [00:56:18] Immigration and settlement competition between colonies
• [01:05:06] Mars as human expansion rather than planetary backup
• [01:08:32] Personal motivations and future vision
• [01:09:57] Music selection: Beethoven's Third Symphony

Links to Explore:

• The Mars Society
• Mars Against Hunger Prize
• Dr. Zubrin's Book: The New World on Mars (Penguin UK Edition)
• Mars Direct Mission Plan

Spread the Cosmic Love!

Share this episode with anyone interested in exploration, sustainable technology, or the future of human civilization. This conversation goes beyond the typical space exploration narrative to explore how

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Episode Highlights

In this profound conversation, Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides shares her vision for preparing humanity for space exploration through personal growth and development. As a thought leader in human spaceflight and founder of SpaceKind (formerly Jedi training), she discusses the importance of emotional intelligence and personal development in space exploration.

Guest Profile

Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides

• Co-founder of Yuri's Night
• Early employee at Virgin Galactic
• Author of "The New Right Stuff"
• Degree in Biology from Stanford
• Master's in Space Studies from International Space University
• LinkedIn Profile

Key Topics Discussed

1. The importance of personal growth and healing before space exploration
2. SpaceKind training program (formerly Jedi training)
3. The Overview Effect and its accessibility on Earth
4. Selection criteria for future Mars missions
5. The evolution of Yuri's Night global space celebrations
6. The role of emotional intelligence in space exploration
7. The future of human space settlement

Notable Quotes

• "If we're just the same people we are here, the same jerks that we are on Earth, it'll be the same problems on different planets."
• "All the magic of my life comes from that phone call, which was the hardest phone call I've ever had to make. But it changed the course of my life profoundly."
• "Let Jon Kraus get the videos, you know, let the professionals... the magic is to be there."
• "Our technology is just doing incredible development, but our souls, our spirits, our beings, our relationships are still primitive."

Programs & Initiatives Mentioned

• SpaceKind: An 8-week personal development program for space industry professionals
• Yuri's Night: Global space party celebrating human spaceflight
• Virgin Galactic: Space tourism company
• International Astronautical Congress (IAC): Annual space industry conference

Song Contribution to Space Traveler Playlist

• "Ramble On" by Led Zeppelin 🎵 Add to Spotify Playlist

Related Organizations

• Virgin Galactic
• Space Generation Advisory Council
• International Space University
• NASA
• 
  

Connect with SpaceKind

For more information about SpaceKind training programs, connect with Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides on

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Please visit us at SpaceWatch.Global, subscribe to our newsletters. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!