Show Notes
An interview with former SpaceX Dragon engineer Boris Lipchin about cold-calling his way into a flight software internship, reading raw flight code within spitting distance of the ISS, being told he was wrong by Elon, and bringing SpaceX-style first-principles thinking to healthcare. And why only your worst day matters.
More from It's Not Rocket Science
An interview with Epsilon3 co-founder and CEO Laura Crabtree about her 11 years in SpaceX mission operations, training the Demo-2 astronauts, replacing paper procedures in industries where hardware must work, and the Laura test. And the spacesuit that was supposed to make you look cooler.
An interview with SpaceX director of spaceport integration Trip Harriss about quitting trumpet for Star Trek, the internship SpaceX forgot to post, aiming a rocket at a military base, making Elon laugh, and wedding rings forged from a landed Falcon 9. Time is the most valuable resource — it is not renewable.
An interview with SpaceX executive chef Ted Cizma about butcher shop beginnings, feeding 3,500 people in an Aspen parking lot, building a restaurant inside a rocket factory, breakfast burritos in mission control, and ending childhood hunger. Live right, set a good example, and hope they are paying attention.
An interview with SpaceX employee number two Chris Thompson about garage rockets, an explosion in Garvey's backyard, beating Jeff Bezos in court, melting Elon's shoes in acetone, and Phantom's unfinished business. A theme of failing fast and leaving it at work throughout.
An interview with mechanical engineer Laura Rose Plaxico about SpaceX, exploding batteries, making cheese in The Philippines, a Keurig for frozen yogurt, robot cars, and putting your pride aside. A theme of humility and learning throughout.