The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish #108 Thomas Zurbuchen: Adventures in Astrophysics
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Apr 6, 2021 
Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, shares his remarkable journey from a curious child fascinated by the night sky to a leader making billion-dollar decisions in space exploration. He talks about the quest for extraterrestrial life, the unique challenges of microgravity aboard the International Space Station, and the complexities of Mars missions. Zurbuchen emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in tackling space debris and discusses the balance between innovation and safety in funding ambitious space projects.
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Likelihood of Extraterrestrial Life
- Life may be distributed throughout the universe, just like planetary systems.
- Thousands of planets discovered outside our solar system suggest this possibility.
Experiments on the ISS
- The International Space Station facilitates crucial research on how life adapts to zero gravity, impacting bone structure, vision, and gene expression.
- A twin study with one twin in space revealed significant changes in gene expression.
Data Sharing and Collaboration on ISS
- NASA prioritizes open data sharing for its experiments, benefiting scientific progress and maximizing taxpayer value.
- International collaboration on the ISS involves data sharing and coordinated experiments across agencies and countries.