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 an Instabase accommodate couples, young peoples interest in the cosmos and the full scale Instabase habitat that is going to be available for people visit Starship's first orbital launch (hopefully) in April 2023 in Boca Chica, Texas.

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OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:00 Welcome back after a few weeks off (and please review)

00:46 Dr Doug Plata

01:30 What is Instabase?

03:35 Why in couples? Selection process?

07:22 Instabase location http://developspace.info/display/

09:53 Levels of development

11:40 Scale mock up in Boca Chica, Texas!

13:40 Inflatable habitats

17:24 Space Development Network

20:00 Rocket ranch

21:00 Young peoples interest in space and the space industry changing

26:00 The Moon Mars Analogue Base

32:05 Doug’s journey to Space (everyone loves an origin story)

36:23 Virtual tours

Follow Dr Doug Plata

The Space Development Network: http://developspace.info/

Visit the Instabase model: http://developspace.info/display/

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