Swisspreneur Show EP #372 - Thomas Zurbuchen: Startups & NASA: Braving the Unknown
Jan 24, 2024
Thomas Zurbuchen, a professor at ETH Space and former NASA Associate Administrator, shares riveting insights from his journey in astrophysics and entrepreneurship. He reflects on being kicked out by his father for pursuing science and how that shaped his resilience. Thomas discusses the complexities of leading NASA missions like James Webb and Perseverance, emphasizing the importance of personal connections and diverse teams. He also highlights the immigrant mindset as an advantage in understanding global markets. Now back in Switzerland, he aims to empower the next generation in space exploration.
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Kicked Out, Then Drawn To Copernicus
- Thomas Zurbuchen describes being raised in a closed, religious farming community that discouraged university and science.
- He chose astrophysics after a single gymnasium class on Copernicus opened his view to exploration and public education.
Isolation Became a Strength
- After being kicked out, Thomas says losing family was the worst ordeal and made later transitions easier.
- He compares leaving a small, confined world to being released from a fish tank into an ocean of possibility.
Be An Immigrant Mindset
- Treat 'being an immigrant' as a mindset: leave one world and enter another to gain fresh perspective.
- Immerse yourself in the customer's world to spot opportunities and execute better.