EPISODE · Jul 12, 2026 · 1H 31M
Why Elon Musk Is Wrong About Mars - Interview with space expert Dr Niamh Shaw
from Project Possible with Rich Leigh · host Rich Leigh - interviews about motivation, resilience and what's truly possible
Dr. Niamh Shaw is an engineer, scientist and storyteller who has spent more than a decade chasing an extraordinary dream: to become a citizen astronaut.Along the way, she's spoken at NASA's Johnson Space Center, covered launches from Kennedy Space Center, trained for space, lived on a simulated Mars mission and experienced zero gravity aboard the infamous "Vomit Comet".We talk about whether humans should ever colonise Mars, why she believes Elon Musk's vision for humanity's future is fundamentally flawed, whether space tourism is closer than we think, the search for aliens, and why astronauts believe we need poets, priests and philosophers in space just as much as engineers.It's a conversation that starts with rockets, but ends up being about something much bigger: perspective, possibility and what it means to be human.You can buy Dr Niamh's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Big-Irishwomans-Space-Odyssey/dp/1781177155Follow Dr Niamh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_niamh_shawFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod=====Interviews that might just change your life. And if not…? You’ll probably enjoy them anyway.After my younger brother Jordan took his own life, I sold the PR agency I’d spent over a decade building and decided to go all-in on creating something meaningful.This podcast is the result.Project Possible is a podcast about success through adversity. About what's truly possible.Expect famous faces and unsung heroes.Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, each episode explores the lives, minds and experiences of extraordinary people from business, sport, entertainment, academia and beyond.Subscribe wherever you watch or listen.=====Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at https://projectpossible.substack.com for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.=====Email: [email protected] about Project Possible here: https://www.richleigh.co/podcast
What this episode covers
Dr. Niamh Shaw is an engineer, scientist and storyteller who has spent more than a decade chasing an extraordinary dream: to become a citizen astronaut.Along the way, she's spoken at NASA's Johnson Space Center, covered launches from Kennedy Space Center, trained for space, lived on a simulated Mars mission and experienced zero gravity aboard the infamous "Vomit Comet".We talk about whether humans should ever colonise Mars, why she believes Elon Musk's vision for humanity's future is fundamentally flawed, whether space tourism is closer than we think, the search for aliens, and why astronauts believe we need poets, priests and philosophers in space just as much as engineers.It's a conversation that starts with rockets, but ends up being about something much bigger: perspective, possibility and what it means to be human.You can buy Dr Niamh's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Big-Irishwomans-Space-Odyssey/dp/1781177155Follow Dr Niamh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_niamh_shawFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod=====Interviews that might just change your life. And if not…? You’ll probably enjoy them anyway.After my younger brother Jordan took his own life, I sold the PR agency I’d spent over a decade building and decided to go all-in on creating something meaningful.This podcast is the result.Project Possible is a podcast about success through adversity. About what's truly possible.Expect famous faces and unsung heroes.Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, each episode explores the lives, minds and experiences of extraordinary people from business, sport, entertainment, academia and beyond.Subscribe wherever you watch or listen.=====Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at https://projectpossible.substack.com for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.=====Email: [email protected] about Project Possible here: https://www.richleigh.co/podcast
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Why Elon Musk Is Wrong About Mars - Interview with space expert Dr Niamh Shaw
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