From Science Fiction to Building Plasma Rockets for Interstellar Travel: An Interview with Jamal Olatunji Artwork

SpaceBase Podcast

SpaceBase is a social enterprise who's mission is to democratize access to space through education, entrepreneurship and community building starting in New Zealand. This podcast is dedicated to creating the journey from space enthusiast to space entrepreneurs through insightful interviews with aerospace specialists, investors, and entrepreneurs sharing their experience and knowledge of the space industry, and their personal journeys.To support the podcast, please consider becoming a patron.Since its incorporation in 2017, SpaceBase has collaborated with economic development agencies, local and national governments, and advocacy groups to deliver over 100 educational presentations and workshops, national space and aerospace competitions, as well as helping birth space communities and organizations locally and globally. SpaceBase also assists in technical due diligence, consulting projects for investors, industry stakeholders, and space startups. SpaceBase created a platform for the NZ Aerospace Directory and a free course, Catalysing a Space Industry in Your Region, for anyone interested in creating a local space industry. Recently, it delivered the Space for Planet Earth Challenge competition for the Pacific region in partnership with satellite company Planet.

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SpaceBase Podcast

From Science Fiction to Building Plasma Rockets for Interstellar Travel: An Interview with Jamal Olatunji

January 23, 2022 • Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom • Episode 36

An interview with Jamal Olatunji. Jamal is a Research Engineer at the Robinson Research Institute at Victoria University of Wellington. He has degrees in Chemical Engineering, chemistry and nanotechnology from Massey University. He is developing mathematical models of superconducting magnets and machines, and researching applications of high-temperature superconductivity to develop plasma rockets for interstellar space.

In this interview, we learn about Jamal's journey from working in the agritech industry as a mathematical modeler to working on cutting edge projects on novel electric propulsion systems for space transportation.

Resources:
Robinson Research Institute
Wellington Univentures
Emerging Innovator Programme

Hosted by: Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom, Co-Founder and CEO, SpaceBase
Music: reCreation by airtone (c) copyright 2019 Licensed under a Creative Commons (3.0)

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