Why Every Mars Mission Needs a Guitarist: Space-Proof Electronics
An episode of the Thinking On Paper podcast, hosted by Mark Fielding and Jeremy Gilbertson, titled "Why Every Mars Mission Needs a Guitarist: Space-Proof Electronics" was published on November 14, 2025 and runs 3 minutes.
November 14, 2025 ·3m · Thinking On Paper
Summary
To survive in space, you don't just need engineers. You need a musician. Preferably a guitarist.Jeremy asks physicist Danny Andreev (CEO, Sunburn Schematics): Could my 1969 Fender Vibrolux amp work in space?Answer: Yes. Analog gear shrugs off radiation.What starts as electrical engineering turns into human psychology and Mars survival.We talk about:- Why Jeremy's vintage guitar amp would work on the moon (analog circuits resist radiation)- What modifications it would need (thermal management, vacuum considerations)- How digital devices fail in space while analog survives- Why submarines and Arctic research stations need musicians (group cohesion studies)- How having a guitarist changes crew survival in isolated environments- Why Mars missions need musicians, comedians, and risk-takersThe research: Studies on submarines and Antarctic bases show musicians are critical for group survival. Not nice-to-have. Critical.Music affects morale, bonding, and psychological resilience in ways nothing else does.Elon, if you're listening: You need guitarists on those Mars ships. Not for fun—for survival.This isn't a gear review. It's about culture, isolation, and what humans actually need when they're far from home.Rock on.---Guest: Danny Andreev, Physicist, CEO Sunburn SchematicsTopics: Space electronics, Mars missions, musicians, isolation, group psychology, analog vs digital, radiationFun fact: Vintage amps work in space--Other ways to connect with us:Listen to every podcastFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow Mark on LinkedInFollow Jeremy on LinkedInRead our SubstackEmail: [email protected]
Episode Description
To survive in space, you don't just need engineers. You need a musician. Preferably a guitarist.
Jeremy asks physicist Danny Andreev (CEO, Sunburn Schematics): Could my 1969 Fender Vibrolux amp work in space?
Answer: Yes. Analog gear shrugs off radiation.
What starts as electrical engineering turns into human psychology and Mars survival.
We talk about:
- Why Jeremy's vintage guitar amp would work on the moon (analog circuits resist radiation)
- What modifications it would need (thermal management, vacuum considerations)
- How digital devices fail in space while analog survives
- Why submarines and Arctic research stations need musicians (group cohesion studies)
- How having a guitarist changes crew survival in isolated environments
- Why Mars missions need musicians, comedians, and risk-takers
The research: Studies on submarines and Antarctic bases show musicians are critical for group survival. Not nice-to-have. Critical.
Music affects morale, bonding, and psychological resilience in ways nothing else does.
Elon, if you're listening: You need guitarists on those Mars ships. Not for fun—for survival.
This isn't a gear review. It's about culture, isolation, and what humans actually need when they're far from home.
Rock on.
---
Guest: Danny Andreev, Physicist, CEO Sunburn Schematics
Topics: Space electronics, Mars missions, musicians, isolation, group psychology, analog vs digital, radiation
Fun fact: Vintage amps work in space
--
Other ways to connect with us:
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on X
Follow Mark on LinkedIn
Follow Jeremy on LinkedIn
Read our Substack
Email: [email protected]
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