Trust, Data, and Decision-Making Beyond Earth — Andrew Feustel, Former NASA Astronaut

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In this episode of Data & AI Mastery, host Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma is joined by Andrew Feustel, former NASA astronaut, ISS Commander, and veteran of three space missions.

Andrew has spent over two decades at NASA, flying on the Space Shuttle, leading missions aboard the International Space Station, and performing complex spacewalks to repair critical infrastructure like the Hubble Space Telescope. In this conversation, he shares a rare, human perspective on decision-making in the most extreme data environments imaginable: outer space.

Together, they explore what space exploration can teach business and technology leaders about trust, automation, AI, and the limits of data-driven systems.

Listeners will learn how astronauts rely on data, telemetry, and human judgment during high-risk missions, why data never perfectly matches reality, and why that matters in critical environments and why humans must remain in the loop when decisions carry irreversible consequences

This episode offers powerful lessons for leaders navigating AI adoption, risk management, and decision-making, reminding us that technology is only as effective as the humans who design, trust, and use it.

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Chapter Markers:

(04:40) — Why data is central to every space mission

(09:40) — Trust, automation, and critical systems in spaceflight

(11:00) — Why we don’t fully trust autonomous systems (yet)

(14:20) — Why AI is essential for space telescopes and discovery

(16:40) — What makes NASA exceptional at preparing people

(19:10) — How AI is already accelerating space innovation

(20:30) — Automated rocket landings and decision systems

(23:50) — Quick-fire round: unforgettable space memories

(28:00) — Raoul’s reflections: trust, AI, and human-in-the-loop systems

Useful Links:

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn

Follow Raoul for more AI insights on LinkedIn

Explore Cambridge Spark’s AI upskilling programmes at cambridgespark.com