Welcome to Brilliant Brains of Space , a series exploring the people shaping humanity’s future beyond Earth.”

We have Dr. Chris Welch, space engineer, educator, and global advocate for space exploration. A former Professor of Space Engineering at the International Space University, Dr. Welch has spent decades working across space propulsion, microgravity science, and planetary exploration. With over 300 media appearances and international leadership in space education, he continues to inspire the next generation of space thinkers. Now, through his interdisciplinary consultancy, Space-ist, he connects science, education, and imagination to expand humanity’s space future.”

In this episode of Brilliant Brains of Space, we sit down with Ben Haldeman, space entrepreneur, engineer, futurist, and founder of LifeShip. Ben shares his extraordinary journey from building Mars rover instruments at UC Berkeley to designing and launching hundreds of satellites as an early engineer at Planet Labs.

Ben explains why preserving life beyond Earth matters, how community-driven space exploration can shape our future, and what it takes to turn moonshot ideas into reality.

In this episode:

• The story behind LifeShip and its mission

• Sending Earth's DNA and seeds to space

• Building satellites at Planet Labs

• Mars rover technology and the search for life

• The future of human space settlement

• Entrepreneurship, moonshot thinking, and innovation

• Lessons from endurance sports, exploration, and personal growth

What does it really take to build a career in the space industry without becoming an astronaut?

Whether you're a student, engineer, tech enthusiast, or simply fascinated by the future of humanity beyond Earth, this episode offers a practical and inspiring look into real careers in space exploration.

In this episode:

How to enter the space industry without being an astronaut

The skills that matter most in aerospace careers

Behind-the-scenes realities of space missions

Engineering challenges in modern space systems

The future of Moon & Mars exploration

Innovation, robotics, satellites, and the next era of space tech

🎧 Brilliant Brains of Space explores the minds building the future beyond Earth—one conversation at a time.