Going To Mars with NASA director Laurie Leshin

In this episode, Laurie Leshin, the first female director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), shares her journey from a young space enthusiast to a leader in space exploration. The conversation explores how NASA fits into the current landscape dominated by commercial space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Leshin discusses NASA's unique role in advancing human knowledge for the greater good without pursuing profit, maintaining a focus on scientific exploration.

The episode delves into the perceptions of NASA's popularity, especially among younger generations, and addresses whether children today still aspire to be astronauts. Leshin explains how collaborations with commercial firms could inspire new interest in space careers. She talks about the transition of low Earth orbit missions to private sectors, allowing NASA to focus on more complex scientific challenges in deep space.

Leshin reflects on NASA's mission clarity and its essence as a civilian organization dedicated to exploration that benefits all humanity. She believes there is still a significant role for NASA, despite the challenges posed by budget constraints and the current political climate. The discussion also touches on the cultural shifts within NASA, particularly how risk aversion may have affected innovation.

The conversation wraps up with insights into building effective teams at JPL, emphasizing collaboration and the importance of clearing bureaucratic hurdles to foster creativity and innovation. Leshin shares personal stories about successful projects, highlighting the importance of diverse teams in achieving groundbreaking advancements in space exploration.