# 52. Drones to Explore Space and Save Lives on Earth

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2022-01-11
- Length: 30m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-01-11-52-drones-to-explore-space-and-save-lives-on-earth
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/52-ion-propelled-space-rover-EIIi13g2

## Summary

Hosts Farbod and Daniel discuss an MIT project developing an ion-propelled, hovering rover for airless bodies like the Moon and asteroids, which uses the photoelectric effect and ion thrusters to avoid mechanical wear from lunar dust. They then examine a student initiative from the Technical University of Munich creating a quadcopter drone to deliver automated external defibrillators (AEDs) during cardiac arrests, aiming to reduce response times and improve survival rates. The episode highlights Zipline, a California-based company using catapult-launching drones for blood deliveries in Rwanda, and a Johnson & Johnson-funded HIV medicine delivery project in Uganda.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-01-11-52-drones-to-explore-space-and-save-lives-on-earth#t=0) Introduction: Drone Overview and Mouser Electronics Sponsor
- [2:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-01-11-52-drones-to-explore-space-and-save-lives-on-earth#t=136) MIT's Ion-Propelled Hovering Rover for the Moon and Asteroids
- [4:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-01-11-52-drones-to-explore-space-and-save-lives-on-earth#t=259) The Physics of Lunar Dust and Ion Thrusters
- [15:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-01-11-52-drones-to-explore-space-and-save-lives-on-earth#t=943) Swarm Robotics and Exploration of Asteroid Psyche 16
- [16:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-01-11-52-drones-to-explore-space-and-save-lives-on-earth#t=1008) Technical University of Munich's Life-Saving AED Drone
- [21:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-01-11-52-drones-to-explore-space-and-save-lives-on-earth#t=1319) Zipline's Blood Deliveries in Rwanda and HIV Medicine in Uganda

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- MIT (company)
- NASA (company)
- Technical University of Munich (company)
- Zipline (company)
- Johnson & Johnson (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 103: Delivering medicine by drone - Keenan Wyrobek](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-12-20-episode-103-delivering-medicine-by-drone-keenan-wyrobek) (Robot Talk)
- [Ep 219: Lots of Lasers, Heaps of Ham Radio, and Breaching the Blood Brain Barrier](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-05-19-ep-219-lots-of-lasers-heaps-of-ham-radio-and-breaching-the-blood-brain-barrier) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [348: Flop Onto the Bouncy Castle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-15-348-flop-onto-the-bouncy-castle) (Embedded.fm)
- [Amazon’s security drone, life-size Gundam & robotic-assisted surgery](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-09-30-amazons-security-drone-life-size-gundam-robotic-assisted-surgery) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Space Difficulties and Lost Heroes - Wanzing Workshop Whemmle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-11-06-space-difficulties-and-lost-heroes-wanzing-workshop-whemmle) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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