Red Planet Radio

Podcast host John King, interviews Tom Myers, physicist and blogger at The Physics of SpaceX. We delve into Mars colonisation logistics and future potential technologies. Subjects discussed today: Intro to Tom and how he came to start his blog “The Physics of SpaceX” Why SpaceX only reuses the first stage of the Falcon 9 (Tom explains extrapolating from the rocket equation + other calculations the infeasibility of second stage re-use) What SpaceX Mars colonisation logistics may look like (BFR + MCT). How the MCT could re-fuel in space. How “breaking” when arrive at Mars works (high level) using aerobreaking + retropropulsion Using SpaceX Mars logistics for other organisations (universities, governments) to put things on Mars. Tom’s background in rocketry - competing in solid fuel rocket building competitions against the USA + French 21m - The complexity of an engineering leap from kerosene based fuels to methane Fuel options on Mars (Methane or Hydrogen) + tradeoffs between the two Who might be the first peo