#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures

Ariel Ekblaw shares her background, influenced by her parents who were Air Force pilots and her father's dreams of space travel. Growing up with science fiction like Heinlein and Asimov, she developed a passion for space and civilization's scale. Her interest in becoming an astronaut was driven by a sense of exploration, courage, and societal progress. She reflects on the resurgence of space exploration today, with economic and technological developments making lunar settlements and Mars missions more feasible, culminating in her hope that her lifetime will include experiencing space travel and work in space environments.

Ariel discusses her favorite sci-fi authors—Isaac Asimov and Neal Stephenson—and how their stories and ideas inspire real-world engineering and technology, such as swarm robotics. She emphasizes the positive cycle between fiction and innovation, highlighting how sci-fi fuels engineering visions that later become reality. The Long Now Foundation's focus on long-term planning underscores her vision of human expansion and sustainability in orbit, advocating for architectures far beyond current capabilities, such as self-assembling structures, to facilitate space colonization.

Ariel elaborates on her PhD work, including the 'test array' project, where modular, self-assembling tiles made with magnets can autonomously construct large space structures like buckyballs. The tiles, tested on the ISS and scaled up to human size, could build inspiring, aesthetic habitats in orbit, like space cathedrals or nautilus-shaped stations. She envisions decentralized, resilient systems—like star-shaped modules or organic structures—that can reconfigure based on mission needs, emphasizing the importance of aesthetic and functional design in future space habitats.

The conversation covers the experience of microgravity, including Ariel’s flights on the vomit comet, and the biological and psychological effects of extended space missions. Challenges such as radiation, muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and mental health are discussed, alongside solutions like rotational habitats for artificial gravity. Longer missions, potentially lasting years, are impeded by physical health risks and social dynamics. Ariel advocates for inclusive crew selection, the use of AI and robots for autonomous maintenance, and the importance of mental well-being through habitats, VR, and social robots.

Ariel talks about the search for life beyond Earth, specifically on Mars and icy moons like Europa. She highlights the importance of understanding potential non-carbon-based life forms and the significance of asteroid and planetary resources. Her involvement with the Mars astrobiology experiment (Sherlock) reflects her enthusiasm for discovery. The discussion acknowledges humbling possibilities—our current understanding of life’s diversity—and the importance of scientific humility and curiosity in astrobiology.

Ariel explores visions of space cities, ring worlds, and organic, modular habitats. She discusses the possibility of expanding human civilization via floating cities in orbit, especially at Lagrange points, which offer stable positions with less energy cost. The future may involve space communities that are culturally diverse, politically autonomous, and resource-rich. Ethical and legal issues like property rights, the commons, and governance are considered vital to ensure peaceful, fair expansion and stewardship of space environments.

The conversation touches on human reproduction in space, the psychological effects of long missions, and relationships, including the possibility of humans born on Mars or in orbit. Ariel emphasizes the importance of understanding human biology, including the effects of microgravity on developing life, and the cultural shifts that might occur with space-born generations. Ethical issues like war, conflict, and governance in space are viewed as critical, with a call for international collaboration, peace treaties, and responsible stewardship to prevent space from becoming a battleground.

Ariel expresses her hope and belief that space exploration unites humanity, inspires hope, and fosters a sense of purpose. She advocates for broadening participation—including art, culture, and diverse backgrounds—and encourages future generations to pursue exploration, science, and creativity. She highlights the beauty of the universe and our unique capacity for consciousness and curiosity, seeing this cosmic venture as essential to human identity and future.