The Outside Context
"An Outside Context Problem was the sort of thing most civilizations encountered just once, and which they tended to encounter rather in the same way a sentence encountered a full stop." — Iain M. Banks, Excession. This podcast discusses challenges that fall into the outside context with the innovators and visionaries who are the forefront of technological change. It considers the big picture of technology, and why this matters for the future of human civilisation.
The Outside Context
Houston, We Have a Moonshot: Perspectives on Private Spaceflight from the Astronaut Entrepreneur
The Outside Context – Episode 6
Episode Summary
In this episode, our co-hosts Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay sit down with Per Wimmer—global financier, entrepreneur, adventurer, and astronaut-in-training—to discuss the future of private space travel, space entrepreneurship and humanity’s long-term potential beyond Earth.
Per shares his personal journey, from setting a world record by skydiving over Mount Everest to becoming one of the first private astronauts with Virgin Galactic. He discusses the economic impact of private space investment, technological innovations driven by space exploration and the role of space in inspiring future generations.
Key Topics Covered:
- Per Wimmer’s journey as an adventurer, entrepreneur and astronaut-in-training
- The rise of private space travel and why it’s fueling the next era of innovation
- How space exploration impacts finance, biotech, and global communications
- The overview effect and how space can change our perspective on Earth
- The shift from government-led space programs to commercial space entrepreneurship
- How international collaboration in space can teach us lessons for diplomacy
- The challenges of making human life multi-planetary and why Mars may not be the answer
- What it takes to train as an astronaut – centrifuge training, zero-gravity flights, and G-force survival
- Per’s upcoming 2026 spaceflight with Virgin Galactic
Memorable Quotes
“Space is the ultimate adventure. But beyond the thrill, private space travel fuels innovation that will benefit all of humanity.” – Per Wimmer
“Astronauts see the bigger picture—we need to protect Earth, because it is truly unique.”
“One of the most important things space exploration does is inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and dreamers.”
“Governments used to lead space exploration for military advantage. Now, private investment is driving new opportunities that benefit everyone.”
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