E46: Mining the Stars: Boundless Wealth from Asteroids
El Podcast30 Sep 2023

E46: Mining the Stars: Boundless Wealth from Asteroids

Dr. George Sowers explores how space mining—starting with water ice on the Moon—could transform global energy, economics, and the future of humanity.

🧑‍🚀 Guest Bio

Dr. George Sowers is a Professor of Practice at the Colorado School of Mines, where he helps lead the world’s first graduate program in space resources. Formerly Chief Scientist and VP of Advanced Programs at United Launch Alliance, he was appointed in 2022 to NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Committee. He is a leading voice in space logistics, lunar mining, and the economics of off-Earth infrastructure.

🌌 Topics Discussed
  • Why water is "the oil of space" and key to sustainable space exploration
  • The future of space mining on the Moon and asteroids
  • Legal and regulatory gaps in off-Earth resource claims
  • Why space-based solar power could replace fossil fuels
  • The economics and logistics of building a space economy
  • Roles of SpaceX, Blue Origin, and U.S. policy in future space infrastructure
  • Debunking moon landing conspiracies and other space myths
💬 Best Quotes

“Water equals rocket fuel. If we can extract it from the Moon, we cut the cost of space missions by two-thirds.”

“One asteroid contains more metal than humanity has used in all of history—and could supply us for millions of years.”

“The future of humans is boundless. Space resources are the next great economic revolution after agriculture and industry.”

🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright
💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/
📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.
⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us.

Thanks for listening!

Episoder(186)

1 in 20 Deaths: Inside Canada’s Assisted Dying System - Dr. Ramona Coelho

1 in 20 Deaths: Inside Canada’s Assisted Dying System - Dr. Ramona Coelho

Canada’s MAiD program has expanded rapidly—Dr. Ramona Coelho argues the system increasingly serves vulnerable people, with uneven safeguards and serious ethical, legal, and social risks. Guest bio: Dr...

24 Feb 1h

The Eavesdropper Economy: How Surveillance Built AI (E186)

The Eavesdropper Economy: How Surveillance Built AI (E186)

A lively tour from Cold War “The Thing” to today’s surveillance capitalism—showing how audio capture, too much data, and automation pressures helped turn listening into AI.Guest bios:Dr. Toby Heys — P...

18 Feb 1h

Managerial Class Ruined Tech (E185) - Darryl Campbell

Managerial Class Ruined Tech (E185) - Darryl Campbell

A former Silicon Valley insider explains how MBA-style “spreadsheet management” is breaking software—and why it’s making tech, AI, and everyday products worse.Guest bio:Darryl Campbell is a former tec...

10 Feb 1h 13min

55% of MIT Faculty Self-Censor — Here’s Why (E184)

55% of MIT Faculty Self-Censor — Here’s Why (E184)

MIT Free Speech Alliance president Wayne Stargardt explains how a few high-profile cancellations can drive widespread faculty self-censorship—even at a STEM powerhouse like MIT.Guest bio:Wayne Stargar...

5 Feb 52min

E183: Why Corporate America Will Never De-Woke | Law Prof Explains

E183: Why Corporate America Will Never De-Woke | Law Prof Explains

In this episode, Jesse talks with Fordham University School of Law corporate-law professor Sean J. Griffith about why “go woke, go broke” hasn’t really played out—and why big, publicly traded firms ca...

3 Feb 59min

E181: Politics Is the Best Predictor of Academic Research — Prof Mark Horowitz

E181: Politics Is the Best Predictor of Academic Research — Prof Mark Horowitz

Political beliefs often matter more than data or methods in shaping how social scientists think about controversial issues. In this episode, sociologist Dr. Mark Horowitz explains why many professors ...

27 Jan 1h 8min

E180: Attraction & Disgust: Evolutionary Psychology Explained (Dr. Deb Lieberman)

E180: Attraction & Disgust: Evolutionary Psychology Explained (Dr. Deb Lieberman)

Evolutionary psychologist Debra Lieberman explains how “disgust” and other built-in mental programs shape attraction, kinship, morality, and even law—while modern technology and social media scramble ...

20 Jan 1h 3min

E179: Breaking the Gerontocracy: How Amanda Litman Is Getting Young People into Office

E179: Breaking the Gerontocracy: How Amanda Litman Is Getting Young People into Office

Amanda Litman argues U.S. leadership is too old, local races are dangerously uncontested, and the fastest fix is getting more young people to run—backed by better pay and campaign-finance reform.Guest...

16 Jan 50min

Populært innen Business og økonomi

stopp-verden
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
dine-penger-pengeradet
e24-podden
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
rss-borsmorgen-okonominyhetene
utbytte
pengesnakk
livet-pa-veien-med-jan-erik-larssen
finansredaksjonen
pengepodden-2
morgenkaffen-med-finansavisen
tid-er-penger-en-podcast-med-peter-warren
okonomiamatorene
rss-sunn-okonomi
liberal-halvtime
lederpodden
rss-markedspuls-2
rss-impressions-2
rss-investering-gjort-enkelt