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Today In SpaceAuthor: Alex G. Orphanos
The award-winning space science podcast about all things space! Hosted by Alex G. Orphanos, science communicator, maker, and aerospace engineer. Our mission: to spread love and spread science! Language: en-us Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Space Armor, Solar Wings, and Hypersonics with Composites | Atomic-6 Founder Trevor Smith
Episode 391
Thursday, 2 October, 2025
Trevor Smith, Founder and CEO of Atomic-6, shares his origin story and journey from a commercial real estate broker to leading a company specializing in near-theoretical high-performance composites. Some of Atomic-6's innovations include: - A composite debris shield for the International Space Station, which outperformed traditional aluminum shields in tests. - Development on a redeployable solar array system, Light Wing, which offers significantly improved space power efficiency. - Composite Radomes that provide a great balance of functionality and light-weighting - And so much more - with video examples!! Trevor also shares on the importance of incentive alignment and 'delusional optimism' in order to succeed and lead in entrepreneurship. Learn more about Atomic-6 in this episode and make sure to check out their website for more: https://www.atomic-6.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 Trevor Smith's Role as CEO and The Power of Incentive Alignment 02:22 Trevor's Origin Story and Early Career 06:32 Atomic-6's Early Days and Initial Challenges 17:57 Developing High-Performance Composites 21:16 Atomic Six's Defense and Space Applications 25:10 Space Armor and Its Applications 36:23 Light Wing: Redeployable Solar Arrays 44:20 Light Wing's Deployment and Benefits 44:20 Future of Space and Defense 56:61 Trevor's Advice for Entrepreneurs & "Delusional" Optimism We'd like to thank our sponsors: AG3D Printing (go to ag3d-printing.com to learn more & start 3D printing today!) Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640 Blue Origin New Glenn-inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1859644348 Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at ag3d-printing.com • Donate at todayinspace.net