Nicholas Schmidle

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.