Elise Hu interviews Ariel Ekblaw about her TED Talk, which frames space exploration as a service to Earth, focusing on using space technology for advancements like zero-gravity biotech and space-based solar power. Ekblaw discusses the potential for creating drugs and therapies in space, as well as the possibility of generating clean energy from space-based solar panels. She also addresses the environmental costs of space infrastructure, the importance of democratizing access to space, and her experiences as a woman in male-dominated fields. The conversation also touches on the need to balance technological advancements with addressing fundamental human needs and the lessons learned from personal experiences, such as caring for her sick mother.
