Nicholas Schmidle, a Staff writer at The New Yorker and author of 'Test Gods,' joins host Helen Czerski to dive into the fascinating world of space tourism. They discuss the challenges Virgin Galactic faced, including a tragic accident that altered its trajectory. Schmidle shares insights from his time spent at the Mojave Desert spaceport, revealing the risks and ambitions of test pilots. The conversation also covers the dynamics of commercial space travel, the importance of human involvement, and the future of the aerospace industry against a backdrop of evolving technology.
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Insider Access
Nicholas Schmidle gained access to Virgin Galactic after their 2014 spaceship crash.
He spent considerable time at their Mojave spaceport, observing their operations and interviewing key figures.
insights INSIGHT
Key Players
Virgin Galactic's story is driven by strong personalities like Richard Branson, Mark Stuckey, and Mike Moses.
Stuckey, the lead test pilot, embodies the astronaut dream.
Test Gods is an epic story about extreme bravery and sacrifice, detailing Virgin Galactic's efforts in the commercial space race. The book focuses on test pilot Mark Stucky and explores the psychological and technical challenges faced by those involved in pushing the boundaries of space travel. It offers a deeply personal and reported account of the risks and triumphs in developing modern astronautics.
When Richard Branson founded Virgin Galactic in 2004, the goal was simple: to offer civilian space travel by the end of the decade. Seventeen years, a dozen delays and one catastrophic rocket crash later, we are on the verge of space tourism becoming a reality. New Yorker writer Nicholas Schmidle has witnessed the fall and rise of Virgin Galactic first-hand. Over the last five years, he has spent thousands of hours at Virgin’s ‘spaceport’ in the Mojave desert, befriending the pilots who are risking their lives to make space tourism a reality. The episode was hosted by Helen Czerski. To buy the book with the Intelligence Squared discount click here: https://www.primrosehillbooks.com/product/test-gods-tragedy-and-triumph-in-the-new-space-race-nicholas-schmidle/
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