Dr. Doug Plata is a physician and public health specialist with a background in biophysics. He is interested in space exploration and is developing a cost-effective transportation method to the Moon using lunar polar ice for propellant. He founded the Space Development Network and created a proposed, fully inflatable base for the initial permanent crew on the Moon and Mars called the InstaBase. He is also organising the Space Fair, a space-themed science fair event aimed at promoting space development concepts and recruiting members for the Space Development Network. Dr. Plata's Plan for Sustainable Space Development covers various aspects of space development, including in-space transportation, infrastructure, habitats, and settlement motivations.
In this episode, Ben and Doug discuss why the InstaBase accommodates couples, young people's interest in the cosmos, and the full-scale InstaBase habitat that is going to be available for people to visit at Starship's first orbital launch (hopefully) in April 2023 in Boca Chica, Texas.
What you will hear in this episode
What is the InstaBase?
Why couples, and the selection process
The InstaBase location and levels of development
A scale mock-up in Boca Chica, Texas
Inflatable habitats
The Space Development Network
Young people's interest in space and the space industry changing
The Moon Mars Analogue Base
Doug's journey to space
Virtual tours
Follow Dr. Doug Plata
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