Roid Rage

Matt and Robin join Jack for a Q&A episode covering New Glenn's landing (and its payload problem), Isaacman floating an asteroid mining prize competition, the hot fire test nobody will elaborate on, ground station upgrades for Deep Space 2, and who actually buys the first kilogram of asteroid material. Plus: hiring advice, black and white film discourse, and orange soda.

Chap, now COO, joins Jack to pull back the curtain on what happens when a 30-person startup becomes a 65-person startup and things stop fitting in people's heads. How much process is just enough, what breaks when you grow, and why the best ops people are fundamentally lazy.

Jack is joined by Eric Foster, Senior Mechanical Engineer at AstroForge, and Chris Hearn, Head of Avionics to discuss the design and function of DeepSpace-2's avionics boxes, what it's like working in legacy space vs "new space", and how they felt seeing hardware they worked on fly on Artemis II.

Jack, Matt, and Chap (Chief of Mining now-turned Chief Operations Officer) dig into the mining stock crash; why gold tanked when it should've surged, what tools producers actually have to survive price swings, and why none of them fix the real problem. Plus: Artemis proximity ops reactions, whether it's time to start robbing mines, and mailbag.

Sasha, AstroForge's Principal Mechanical Engineer, spent 29 years at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) working on some of the most ambitious missions ever built. He joins Jack and Matt to talk about why he left, what surprised him (and what didn't), and how you build spacecraft when the rulebook doesn't exist yet.

Jack and Robyn bring on Yuri, our xenon supplier, to talk about where spacecraft propellant actually comes from. Turns out xenon is a byproduct of steel production, there's no stock exchange for it, and when SpaceX tried to buy enough for Starlink they basically broke the market and had to switch to krypton. Also: Robyn brought a prop.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission went to asteroid Bennu expecting sandy soil and found a rock quarry instead. In this episode, AstroForge senior payload scientist and former Lead Scientist on OSIRIS-REx's sample physical and thermal analysis working group, Andy Ryan, joins Jack to discuss what the team actually found, why it was so radically different from what was expected, and what it might mean for mining a metallic asteroid. Plus; planetary defense, porosity, and lock-in thermography!

Jack sits down with Max and Chris to talk through the end-to-end RF test we just ran: what worked, what didn't, and why the test plan and the test outcomes were not the same. They also get into why we built an anechoic chamber in-house and what it's like to work two feet away from something that would cook you if the walls weren't there.

Jack is joined by Matt and Chap to talk through the Artemis shakeup, why Jared Isaacman airing NASA's dirty laundry is actually a good thing, and how Lunar Trailblazer failed a year ago and nobody said anything until now. Chap walks through why the mining industry is fundamentally broken: it's a hand-crank engine being asked to power an energy transition. We roast a market report that claims asteroid mining is a $2 billion industry in 2025 - Matt would like to have a word with whoever wrote that.Medium article: https://medium.com/cathay-innovation/redefining-the-mining-value-chain-3d029e5906db

Jack is joined by Matt and Robyn to break down the Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal*, why Starliner is what happens when you build a jobs program instead of a spacecraft, and a full rundown of Deep Space 2's recent testing gauntlet.

Matt, Chap, and Jack discuss Artemis II's second wet dress rehearsal, the volatility of metals markets, and Jack's car getting stolen.

Jack is joined by Demyan (Senior Mission Ops Engineer) and Armand (Head of GNC, Flight Software) to talk about how AstroForge plans deep space missions.We talk about why the traditional approach of "throw more humans at it" doesn't scale when you're trying to mine asteroids.

Jack sits down with Chap (Chief of Mining) and Matt to unveil AstroForge's new laser testing facility, though Matt has strong opinions about the beige walls. Between debates over whether the podcast should even continue, Jay and Silent Bob references, and explicit instructions to NOT like and subscribe, the team breaks down why bringing laser capabilities in-house accelerates iteration, protects IP, and proves asteroid mining can hit industrial scale in under 15 years.

Jack sits down with Wes and Orli from the Structures team to break down composite materials and solar array deployment. We jump into carbon fiber facesheets, aluminum honeycomb cores, why Kapton is everywhere, and how plasma from electric propulsion can arc to imperfections in conductive layers.

Jack sits down with James, Flight Dynamics Engineer, and Loic, Principal Flight Science Engineer, to demystify orbital determination; or as Jack learns after claiming GPS expertise, to discover that "everything you just said was wrong." Between hot air balloon analogies, admissions of 1,000+ hours in Kerbal Space Program, and revelations about useless accelerometers, our team breaks down how AstroForge actually figures out where its spacecraft are in deep space and why that's harder than it sounds.

Jack sits down with Ashton and Holly fresh off AstroForge's vibration testing campaigns. Plus: space law (just plant a flag, right?), how to avoid Astra Rocket 3's QA disasters, and investment advice involving Ashton's Venmo.

Tim and Chap from the Mining team join Jack to answer listener questions about AstroForge’s plans to mine and return platinum-group metals from asteroids. They break down why metals like platinum, rhodium, and silver are spiking, what a viable return mass looks like (hint: ~1,000kg of PGMs), and how lasers (not drills) make asteroid mining viable. Along the way, they dig into engineering constraints, why we’re not bringing asteroids to Earth, and the future of mining as a swarm of small spacecraft - not one big platform.

AstroForge closes out 2025 with a retrospective on Odin, lessons learned, and what it means to design and build interplanetary spacecraft on tight timelines and tighter budgets. Jack, Matt, and Robin reflect on the high-stakes Odin launch, how those failures are shaping DeepSpace-2, and what’s next as the company pushes toward landing and eventually mining an asteroid. Also: viewer questions, Russian prison trivia, and a not-so-subtle dig at Elf on the Shelf.

In this episode, Jack, Matt, and Chap break down the supply chain reality of platinum group metals (PGMs); why mining asteroids isn’t just cool, but increasingly necessary. They talk about why it’s hard to mine PGMs on Earth, why South Africa’s supply is risky, and how AstroForge’s approach enables cost-efficient access to these critical metals. Also: we get closer to defining “vaporizing aliens” as a brand value.

In Episode 42, we officially introduce Jack Beyer, AstroForge’s new Head of Marketing and the new host of Roid Rage. Jack sits down with Matt to talk about why he left his dream job in space media to join the company, and what AstroForge is really building. The conversation ranges from Jared Isaacman’s potential NASA appointment, to Chinese space launch risk tolerance, to the real work behind DeepSpace-2’s upcoming launch and landing.

Ground Software Engineer Bobby joins us to walk through how AstroForge’s ground software stack actually works. From commanding spacecraft via custom-built UIs to stitching together downlinked files over painfully slow RF, we cover the real-world challenges of building a reliable, flexible system that can interface with global ground stations and support operations in deep space. Bobby also reflects on key lessons from the Odin mission and how they’re shaping DeepSpace‑2’s ground infrastructure.

This week, we sit down with Payload Scientist Andy to explore how spacecraft instruments determine what an asteroid is really made of. From early reconnaissance canisters to modern spectrometers, we discuss payload heritage, sensing techniques, and how DeepSpace-2 will characterize a metallic target using modern, lightweight hardware.

This episode dives into how AstroForge designs electronics to survive deep space conditions: from solar flares and cosmic radiation to electrostatic discharge and internal arcing. Chris, our Head of Avionics, walks through shielding strategies, component selection, failure modes, and what differentiates spacecraft design from terrestrial electronics.

On this episode of Roid Rage, Principal Flight Science Engineer Loic joins the pod to break down how we use Monte Carlo simulations to navigate deep space - starting with how we avoid hitting the Moon. Loic walks us through how probabilistic modeling, error bounding, and trajectory optimization keep DeepSpace‑2 on target. This episode covers everything from solar pressure to thrust vector error, and why simulating failure is core to mission design.

What does it take to point a spacecraft with only one thruster? In this episode, we dive into the engineering behind DeepSpace‑2’s gimbal system: a mechanical interface that enables directional control for our electric propulsion. GNC Engineer Emerson and Flight Software Engineer Kieran walk us through how they built the software, math, and lookup tables needed to command the gimbal, and why the complexity goes far deeper than just “move this motor.”

We brought on Krystle, Chief Business Officer (and space lawyer), to break down what the law actually says. From the 2015 U.S. Space Act to the Outer Space Treaty, Chap (Chief of Mining), Matt (CEO), and Krystle unpack the legal foundation of our business model, how enforcement really works in deep space, and what it means to be a first mover in an uncharted regulatory landscape.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Nathan (Flight Software) and Ethan (Avionics) to walk through the architecture, tradeoffs, and bring-up of the DeepSpace-2 flight computer. From why we split responsibilities across two processors to how we’re automating interface validation and handling memory redundancy in deep space, this week's episode is a deep dive into the logic behind the bus.

Two planetary defense researchers join Robyn, President of AstroForge, to talk asteroid disruption, mission planning, and why Apophis 2029 is a close call - but not a crisis. Brent Barbee and Adrienne Rudolph walk us through how impact risk is assessed, what it takes to launch a mitigation mission, and why not all asteroids can be “Armageddoned.”

How does a spacecraft know where it’s pointed in deep space with no GPS, no magnetic field, and no visual landmarks?In this episode, we break down how DeepSpace‑2 uses commercial star trackers to determine its attitude and stay mission-capable. From orbital camera calibration and angular rate limits to frame-matching and flight software integration, Jeff (Perception Engineer) and Armand (Head of GNC and Flight Software) walk us through how we keep a spacecraft stable, power-positive, and on course when everything depends on knowing exactly where you’re pointed.

In this episode, AstroForge RF Engineer Max and Software Engineer Christopher break down the brutal reality of deep space comms: high-gain antennas with beam widths under half a degree, 250 dB of path loss, FCC restrictions on uplink bands, and seconds-long delays that make real-time feedback impossible. They unpack what went wrong with Odin’s comms chain, what’s different on DeepSpace-2, and how we’re making our system more fault-tolerant without bloating mass or cost. From island-hopping to set up a dish to writing custom encoding schemes that survive trillion-fold attenuation, this is what reliable communication looks like; when failure isn’t theoretical, it’s orbital.Tune in to Roid Rage (new ep. Thursdays) ☄Apple → https://apple.co/40550YWSpotify → https://spoti.fi/404eHqxYouTube → https://bit.ly/44g4mdy

What does it take to turn CAD into physical flight hardware? In this episode, we talk with Kyle, Structures Technician at AstroForge, about machining, bonding, and building the real spacecraft parts that actually fly. From epoxy failures to last-minute fixes, this is what happens between the model and the mission.

In this episode of Roid Rage, we’re joined again by Structures Engineer Wesley to break down the solar array system on DeepSpace-2. We cover what went wrong with Odin’s panels, how that failure shaped the new design, and the tradeoffs between rollout arrays, rigid panels, and sandwich panel structures. Wesley walks us through how the arrays are built, what makes them hard to deploy, and why materials like carbon fiber, Kapton, and magnets all create hidden structural risks. From peel strength and arc risks to hold-down design and flight-like test setups, this one will show what it really takes to power a deep space spacecraft.

We're doing something a little different for this week's Roid Rage episode. Matt (CEO) and Chap (Chief of Mining) tackle some comments and questions across our socials.

When you’re building spacecraft, the difference between a pass and a failure can come down to how you built your FEM. In this episode, Structures Engineer Holly walks us through how we simulate Vestri’s structure before it ever hits the shaker table. From modal margins to mass tradeoffs, modular models to the limits of simulation—this is how CAD gets us close, and where real life breaks away.

Spacecraft don’t fail because of one big thing; they fail because of 100 small ones. This one’s about the small stuff: fasteners, helicoils, backshells, and epoxy. The spacecraft parts no one talks about until they fail. This week, Ashton helps us break down how minor hardware choices impact everything from integration, to thermal control.

This week on Roid Rage, we dive into the brutal, thankless math of orbital mechanics with James, one of AstroForge’s Flight Dynamics Engineers. James walks us through how we get our spacecraft from a rideshare drop-off orbit to a fast-moving metal rock millions of kilometers away— without crashing into the moon or missing the asteroid entirely.We talk low-thrust trajectory planning, why everything’s harder without a propulsion team, how to optimize when you can barely steer, and why half the job is just educated guessing and praying your simulations are right. 

In this episode, Demyan (Senior Mission Ops Engineer) walks us through how AstroForge approaches ground communications, from pass scheduling and real-time visibility to handling missed links and operational drift. We break down what went wrong during Odin’s mission, how we're currently rebuilding our tools for Vestri, and why deep space comms is so much more than getting a signal: it’s all about timing, geometry, and operational realism.

Spacecraft comms aren’t guaranteed—and we design with that in mind. In this episode, Ashton, our Head of Space Systems, breaks down how we handle communications in deep space, what Vestri learned from Odin, and how we’re building spacecraft that stay operational even when the link goes dark. From RF architecture to pass planning to system-level autonomy, this is how we close the gap between signal and silence.

In this episode, we sit down with Ashton, Head of Space Systems, and Chris, Head of Avionics at AstroForge, to break down how we handle power under constraint. Specifically, the differences in our approach for Vestri vs. Odin. It’s not just about generation—it’s about enforcing priorities, managing faults, and surviving without human input. We cover how power is routed, how systems are shut down in emergencies, and how Vestri is being tested to validate autonomous survival logic before anything flies.

In this week's episode, we get into what vibration testing actually does for a spacecraft, and what happens when it reveals problems you didn’t plan for. Structures Engineer Wesley joins us to break down how Odin performed on the shaker, what failed, and how those lessons shaped our approach for our upcoming mission, Vestri. From fixture design to broken fasteners, this episode is a candid assessment of testing under fast timelines and tight margins.

In this episode, we break down what mass budgets actually mean in the context of building flight hardware. Mechanical Engineer Eric joins us to talk about baseplate iterations, machining mistakes, margin shrinkage, and why even with careful design—everything ends up overweight. This one’s for anyone who thinks spreadsheets survive contact with the shop floor.

In this episode, we dig into what the space economy actually looks like today—versus how it’s been pitched. AstroForge Chief Business Officer Krystle Caponio joins Chap, Matt, and Robyn to talk about outdated incentive structures, what makes a sustainable space business, and why asteroid mining is built around Earth customers—not off-world speculation. From government contracts to failed pivots, this is what it’s really like to build for deep space.

This episode breaks down how spacecraft autonomy is structured through mission modes: predefined system states that control how a vehicle behaves, recovers from faults, and configures its subsystems. Chap (CoS), Robyn (COO), and Matt (CEO) cover how and when transitions happen, what “Oh Shit Mode” actually is, and how AstroForge designs and tests mode architecture to prioritize survivability over ideal execution.

In Episode 18 of Roid Rage, Chap (CoS) and Matt (CEO) chat with Chris, Head of Avionics at AstroForge, about how we design the systems that keep a spacecraft alive. From power distribution and flight computers to deep space thermal challenges and build vs. buy decisions, this episode breaks down what makes avionics one of the most complex parts of any mission - and why starting from a blank slate makes it both harder and more fun.

In Episode 17 of Roid Rage, Chap (CoS), Matt (CEO), and Robyn (COO) chat with Colin, Principal Engineer here at AstroForge, about deep space communications. Colin explains what makes talking to a spacecraft millions of kilometers away difficult - power, small antennas, and weak signals - and how link budgets, coding, and ground stations make it possible. He also shares learnings from his extensive career and why comms is a critical part of mission success.

Landing on an asteroid is nothing like landing on the Moon or Mars. In this episode, Matt (CEO), Robyn (COO), and Armand (Head of GNC + Flight Software) break down how we design for surface contact when there’s no GPS, no atmosphere, and almost no room for error. From autonomous targeting to sub-meter-per-second velocity control, we unpack what it takes to land in deep space - and why it matters for long-term mission success.

Before anything launches into space, someone has to make sure it won't implode onto itself. This week, we sit down with reliability legend Hans Köenigsmann - one of the earliest SpaceX hires and former VP of Reliability - to talk about what it really means to build dependable systems for space. From launch failure postmortems to risk-taking with rigor, Hans shares war stories, lessons learned, and how those experiences shape the way AstroForge builds today.

This week on Roid Rage, we’re digging deep into asteroids (figuratively): what they are, how to tell them apart, and why it’s a lot messier than the textbook diagrams suggest. Asteroid expert Dr. Cristina Thomas joins us to unpack the murky definition of M-types, how we even begin identifying asteroid targets, and what mining one could really look like. No space PhD required - just curiosity and a good pair of headphones.

This week on Roid Rage, we’re talking asteroids. Specifically, how do we see 'em? Our guest Al Conrad has decades of experience working with some of the most powerful observatories on Earth, and shares stories from behind the lens: what makes the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory (LBTO) so unique, how astronomers actually use these tools to track asteroids, and why observation is just as much an art as it is science. From quirky telescope moments to lessons on precision, this one zooms in on the details that matter.

What does success look like when you’re building a deep space mission on a startup budget? In this week's episode of Roid Rage, Chap (CoS), Robyn (COO), and Matt (CEO) break down how AstroForge approaches mission requirements — and why our version differs from the traditional playbook.'Why Starting A Rocket Engine Is So Hard' by Everday Astronaut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAUVCn_jw5I