Podcast Summary: This Week in Space 138 – From the Garage to Mars

Release Date: November 23, 2024

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tarek Malik
Guest: Scott Tibbets, Author of From the Garage to Mars and Founder of Starsys Research

1. Introduction

In this special edition of This Week in Space, hosts Rod Pyle and Tarek Malik delve into the inspiring entrepreneurial journey of Scott Tibbets, an engineer whose ingenuity turned humble beginnings into significant contributions to space technology. The episode, titled From the Garage to Mars, combines light-hearted banter with deep insights into innovation, company culture, and the evolving landscape of the space industry.

2. Space News Headlines

Before welcoming Scott Tibbets, Rod and Tarek discuss recent developments in the space sector.

SpaceX's Starship Test Flight No. 6

• Rod Pyle [03:15]: Highlights the sixth test flight of SpaceX's Starship, noting it as a "pretty good success."

• Tarek Malik [04:10]: Provides a detailed account of the flight, mentioning that while the Super Heavy booster wasn't caught as planned, the rocket achieved a smooth soft landing in the Indian Ocean. He notes improvements in heat shielding and the relighting of the Raptor engine in a vacuum—a significant technical milestone.

• Notable Quote:

  • Tarek Malik [05:50]: “They send up a stuffed banana for scale. And you have to imagine this massive cavernous space with a single banana suspended by four different cables inside. That's what they did.”

FAA's Increased Launch Approval

• Tarek Malik [08:54]: Discusses the FAA's new draft environmental assessment allowing SpaceX to increase their launch permits from five to at least 25 flights per year. This regulatory shift is partly driven by NASA's urgent need for multiple test flights to support upcoming lunar missions.

• Rod Pyle [07:17]: Adds context by comparing FAA's response to previous efforts, emphasizing the impact of SpaceX's recent successes on regulatory flexibility.

Blue Origin's NS28 Launch

• Tarek Malik [11:40]: Reports on Blue Origin's NS28 mission, highlighting the successful flight that included Emily Calandrelli, the hundredth woman to fly in space, along with other notable passengers. This mission underscores the growing accessibility of human spaceflight.

3. Interview with Scott Tibbets

Background and Inspiration

• Scott Tibbets [15:56]: Describes himself as an inventor and entrepreneur since childhood, sharing anecdotes from his early ventures and his love for human connection and fun—attributes that have shaped his professional journey.

• Influence of Family: Scott credits his father, a horticulture professor who collaborated with NASA on growing plants in space, as a pivotal influence on his passion for space exploration.

  • Quote:
    • Scott Tibbets [20:31]: “Like Mark Watney. That's my dad's research.”

Founding Starsys Research

• Origin Story:

  Scott recounts his transition from nuclear weapons engineering at Rocky Flats to entrepreneurship. He co-founded Starsys Research in a garage, where he developed a unique actuator using $7 worth of hardware store parts—a copper tube and wax.

  • Rod Pyle [15:53]: Introduces Scott's remarkable story, highlighting the company's growth from a small operation to employing over 150 people and providing over 3,500 devices in space with zero failures.

The Space Actuator Invention

• Technical Innovation:

  Scott explains the actuator's design and functionality. By melting wax to generate pressure, the actuator operates reliably under extreme conditions, significantly reducing the reliance on explosive squibs traditionally used in spacecraft.

  • Quote:
    • Scott Tibbets [34:08]: “And the way the seal works is it's not an O ring seal. It's what we call a squeeze boot.”

• Testing and Reliability:

  The actuator's ability to cycle a thousand times without failure contrasts sharply with previous technologies, offering NASA a dependable alternative for critical spacecraft operations.

Company Culture and Team Dynamics

• Unique Workplace Environment:

  Scott emphasizes the importance of creating a fun and connected workplace. Starsys Research organically developed a culture that balances rigorous technical standards with employee well-being and camaraderie.

  • Quote:
    • Scott Tibbets [54:34]: “We celebrate our mistakes as much as our successes. If you screwed up, we vote for the worst screw-up, and that person can win a prize for their family.”

• Impact on Industry:

  The company's culture has influenced numerous other space startups in Colorado, fostering a community-oriented and innovative ecosystem.

Entrepreneurial Insights

• Customer and Product Discovery:

  Scott advises entrepreneurs to prioritize understanding their customers' needs and refining their products accordingly, rather than solely focusing on their own ideas.

  • Quote:
    • Scott Tibbets [67:11]: “There's an arrogance in an entrepreneur that this is so brilliant. I don't need to find out if anybody wants it. Obviously, it will be you.”

• Handling Venture Capital:

  He discusses the challenges posed by venture capitalists, contrasting them with his approach of organic growth and customer-funded development. Scott warns against the predatory nature of some VCs who may take control of companies once they face financial difficulties.

  • Quote:
    • Scott Tibbets [65:14]: “A smart VC saves 50% of their money and puts it in their back pocket. They are kind of predatory.”

• Building Effective Teams:

  Emphasizing the importance of focusing on individual strengths, Scott advocates for entrepreneurs to concentrate on their areas of brilliance while delegating other tasks to capable team members.

  • Quote:
    • Scott Tibbets [69:03]: “The most important thing is to first realize what your brilliance is... it's okay to be sucky at other stuff.”

Future Ventures and Projects

• Level Six Space:

  Scott introduces his current initiative, Level Six Space, a collective of experienced professionals tackling complex global challenges. This venture embodies his commitment to continuous innovation and problem-solving beyond his primary business.

  • Quote:
    • Scott Tibbets [72:45]: “We call it Level Six Space. It's like Ocean's Eleven but for solving hard problems around the world.”

4. Key Insights and Discussions

• Intuitive Decision-Making:
  Scott highlights the role of intuition in entrepreneurship, describing moments of sudden clarity that guide critical decisions.

  • Quote:
    • Scott Tibbets [57:09]: “I get this sort of goosebump feeling when my intuition is saying something else. And by the time I got to the bottom of the hill, I was saying, why not?”

• Balancing Fun and Function:
  The blend of a rigorous safety-first approach with a playful company environment fosters both reliability and creativity within the team.

• Adapting to Industry Changes:
  Scott contrasts traditional aerospace companies with modern startups, emphasizing the need for agility and customer-centric approaches to succeed in the rapidly evolving space industry.

5. Entrepreneurial Advice for Future Innovators

• Focus on Strengths:
  Entrepreneurs should identify and leverage their unique strengths while outsourcing or delegating tasks outside their expertise.

• Embrace Customer Feedback:
  Engaging in thorough customer and product discovery can validate ideas early, saving time and resources by identifying viable market needs.

• Cultivate a Positive Company Culture:
  Building a work environment that values fun, connection, and transparency can enhance team performance and job satisfaction.

• Navigate Venture Capital Wisely:
  Understanding the dynamics of venture capital and choosing funding sources that align with the company's long-term vision is crucial for sustainable growth.

6. Conclusion

This Week in Space concludes with heartfelt appreciation from the guest and hosts, reinforcing the episode's theme of innovation fueled by passion and perseverance. Scott Tibbets invites listeners to explore his book and upcoming ventures, leaving the audience inspired by his journey from a garage-based startup to impactful contributions in space technology.

Closing Quote:

• Scott Tibbets [75:59]: “You guys are big fun. This is the funnest I've had in a podcast in a long time.”

Where to Find More:

• Book Purchase: Available at www.scottibbets.com and on Amazon by searching "space entrepreneur Scott Tibbets."
• Follow Scott Tibbets: Level Six Space
• Connect with Hosts:
  • Rod Pyle: TwitBooks.com, @AstroMagazine
  • Tarek Malik: @TarekJMalik, Space.com

Note: This summary captures the essence of the This Week in Space episode featuring Scott Tibbets, highlighting his entrepreneurial journey, technical innovations, and the cultural values that underpin his company's success in the space industry.