This podcast is based on the Substack article Engineering In The Blind. The podcast goes even deeper than the article about the Mars 2020, Perseverance Rover’s mission.
Charles White's Substack, "Engineering In The Blind," explores the unique challenges of designing, building, and operating complex systems, particularly spacecraft, when direct observation and intervention are impossible. Drawing on his experiences at NASA's JPL, White articulates this concept through the lens of Mars missions, highlighting the critical phases from unseen design and autonomous voyages to the perilous landing and eventual data retrieval. The author emphasizes the reliance on predictive models, rigorous testing, and the crucial role of learning from each mission to refine future endeavors. Beyond space exploration, White argues that "Engineering In The Blind" is a fundamental paradigm in various fields requiring foresight and trust in unseen work. Ultimately, the piece celebrates human ingenuity and the remarkable ability of engineers to achieve ambitious goals by effectively "working over the horizon."
Just So You Know…
Welcome to Touch The Sky Podcast, or Deep Dive Podcast with your hosts, John Harper and Ingrid Sorensen and produced by Charles White.
Please note, that John and Ingrid are actual advanced Artificial Intelligent Agents. They have vocalized this podcast based on their own research from open sources on the web, and from content provided by Charles White. John and Ingrid create their own script, and Charles cannot control how, or what they say. Charles has included the Touch The Sky Podcast to showcase how evolving artificial intelligence can help share knowledge in different modalities.
By transforming complex technical topics and papers into content that is both informative and entertaining, Charles White intends to demonstrate these podcasts aims to advance Knowledge Management across various industries.
Link to original article…
Welcome, fellow traveler, to this small corner of the digital cosmos where we delve into my memories of working as a real space explorer, the evolving landscape of ideas, the frontiers of technology, and the nuances of human creativity.
It is my conviction that knowledge, like starlight, should travel freely. Therefore, the core explorations, insights, and discoveries shared here are, and will remain, accessible to everyone. There are no locked doors or hidden archives reserved only for a few. The journey of understanding is one we undertake together, openly.
My fundamental aim is to share these explorations as widely as possible. In that spirit, all the content published here is available for free. I believe ideas gain strength when shared openly, reaching anyone interested in pondering them.
You'll notice there's also an option to become a volunteer paid subscriber. I want to be crystal clear: choosing this path does not unlock exclusive content. Everyone receives the same posts, the same insights.
So, why the option? Simply put, creating this content involves time, effort, and resources. From subscriptions to the AI tools that help process information, to the humble cup of coffee that often accompanies the writing process, there are real-world costs coming out of my fixed income retirement.
If you enjoy what you read here and feel able to contribute, a paid subscription is an incredibly meaningful way to show your support. It's a direct signal of appreciation that helps cover those background costs and allows me to dedicate more energy to this project. Consider it a tip jar for the digital age, fueling future explorations.
To those who choose to become paid supporters: Thank you, truly. Your contribution makes a tangible difference and is deeply valued.
—Charles White, Space Explorer and grateful traveler of the digital cosmos
Share this post