For the past two decades, Lika has enabled the development of Heliophysics as an integrated scientific discipline from which fundamental discoveries about our universe provide direct societal benefits. As the Lead for the Living With a Star (LWS) program for 16 years since its initiation in 2000 she made possible the flagship missions (e.g. the Solar Dynamics Observatory, Van Allen Probes, Solar Orbiter Collaboration with European Space Agency and Parker Solar Probe), many other missions, including STEREO that would revolutionize our understanding of how the Sun shapes space weather in the solar system. She has been awarded numerous national and international awards, including the Baron Marcel Nicolet Medal for Space Weather and Space Climate, “India’s Most Powerful Women” award by Business Today, India, and the American Geophysical Union Ambassador Award. Lika has championed the growth of FDL since 2017 and remains an indispensable voice in defining challenge areas and the approaches to solving them.

Erica is a major player in the field of commercial space ventures with an infectious enthusiasm for the future of space travel by ordinary people. As you know, an interdisciplinary approach is a core tenet at FDL. Erika’s interdisciplinary background includes a bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, a master's in Aeronautics & Astronautics from MIT, and a PhD in Bioastronautics from the Harvard/MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology. At Blue Origin, Erika is in the forefront of the business of space. Erika has been at the forefront for some time having worked with the X PRIZE Foundation as the Senior Director of Exploration Prize Development and founding Executive Director of the X PRIZE Lab@MIT and as the Science Director and Executive Director of the Mars Gravity Biosatellite Program at MIT. She has served as a member of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation's Suborbital Applications Researchers Group, on the Board of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, and NASA's Planetary Protection Independent Review Board. She currently serves as a Trustee of the Museum of Flight, as well as a member of the National Academies' Space Studies Board.

Steve’s story is nothing short of inspirational. From his early days, marked by an insatiable curiosity about the universe, to his rise as a key player in Silicon Valley, Jurvetson’s path has been guided by a passion for innovation and a belief in the boundless possibilities of space. Our interview sheds light on these formative experiences, offering a rare look at the man behind the visionary. As a board member of SpaceX and a major investor in various space ventures, Steve provides an insider’s perspective on the commercialization of space. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of the space industry, the role of private companies in shaping our extraterrestrial future, and his predictions for humanity’s next giant leap as he shares his visionary ideas about the future of space travel, the colonization of other planets, and how these endeavors could transform human civilization.

Our first guest is Andy Aldrin, a name synonymous with space exploration legacy and cutting-edge space business acumen. Join us as we delve into a journey that transcends mere orbits - a tale of ambition, legacy, and the commercialization of the cosmos. Andy Aldrin, son of the legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, has not just lived under the halo of his father’s monumental lunar footsteps. Instead, he’s carved his own path in the vast expanse of space exploration and its burgeoning business side. In our conversation, Andy shares personal anecdotes, reflecting on how his father’s legacy influenced his life journey and how he forged his unique trajectory in this challenging field. Andy's story isn’t just about business; it’s about inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts. He discusses his work in education and outreach, aiming to ignite a passion for space in young minds. He believes that the future of space lies in the hands of these young dreamers and innovators.