Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk The Space Barons Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and The Quest to Colonize the Cosmos

In the podcast, host and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos discuss the competitive yet necessary nature of their private space ventures. Musk, known for his aggressive and rapid approach, contrasts with Bezos's methodical and patient strategy. Despite their differing methods, both are united in their mission to expand human presence in space, with Musk focusing on colonizing Mars and Bezos on sustainable space travel. The conversation reveals how rivalry fuels innovation, with Musk's SpaceX overcoming early failures and Bezos's Blue Origin achieving a significant milestone with the successful landing of its New Shepard rocket. The dialogue underscores the importance of perseverance, resourcefulness, and the drive to push humanity further into the cosmos, highlighting that in the realm of space exploration, competition is the ultimate catalyst for progress.

• Speaker B explains the re-release of a particular podcast episode on the public feed to promote the Misfit feed.
• The episode discussed is centered on the book "The Space Barons" which details the contrasting strategies of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos in building private space companies.
• Speaker B shares a personal anecdote about discovering a book on Andy Beal, an entrepreneur featured in the podcast, after listener feedback.
• The Misfit feed offers over 95 exclusive episodes and key insights from numerous podcasts and lectures on entrepreneurship.
• The feed is ad-free and relies on listener support to continue analyzing biographies of entrepreneurs.

"I'm releasing it, rereleasing it temporarily on the public feed to encourage you to upgrade to the misfit feed."

This quote emphasizes the strategy to attract listeners to the exclusive content of the Misfit feed by showcasing a sample episode on the public platform.

• The podcast episode focuses on the book "The Space Barons" by Christian Davenport.
• Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are highlighted for their distinct approaches to building private space companies.
• Andy Beal, an entrepreneur who attempted to build a private rocket company in the 90s, is mentioned as an intriguing figure in the space industry.

"What I found most interesting was the fact that both Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are building private space companies but using completely different strategies."

This quote highlights the core focus of the podcast episode, which is the divergent strategies of Musk and Bezos in the space industry.

• In 2003, Jeff Bezos used his wealth from Amazon to start a rocket company called Blue Origin.
• Amazon's strategy, "get big fast," involved low prices and free shipping, despite criticism from skeptics.
• Bezos's confidence in Amazon's approach was unwavering, even as the company faced negative press.
• Bezos's interest in space was inspired by NASA, not out of frustration with the agency.

"Amazon's strategy was get big fast, luring customers with the convenience of the Internet and low prices that the site was becoming known for."

This quote summarizes Amazon's growth strategy, which was instrumental in funding Bezos's space endeavors.

• Entrepreneurs must expect and cope with criticism, regardless of its validity.
• Historical examples demonstrate that many successful entrepreneurs faced skepticism and negative predictions.
• Speaker C emphasizes the importance of resilience and belief in one's vision.

"If you're going to do anything, you have to be expected to be criticized. And just understand that some of those criticisms may be valid, but a lot of them are not."

This quote underscores the inevitability of criticism in entrepreneurship and the need for founders to persevere.

• Blue Origin was founded in 2000 and remained secretive about its plans.
• Bezos's vision for Blue Origin included reusable rockets and suborbital flights, which were considered wild ideas at the time.
• The company explored alternatives to chemical rockets before settling on the reusability of chemical rockets as the best solution.

"The company wasn't listed in the phone book. Its employees told neighbors they were working on scientific research."

This quote illustrates the secretive nature of Blue Origin's early days, reflecting Bezos's cautious approach to revealing the company's goals.

• Elon Musk's childhood and entrepreneurial spirit led him to various ventures, including Zip2 and X.com, which later became PayPal.
• Musk sold Zip2 and PayPal for significant profits, which he used to fund his interest in space exploration.
• Musk's motivations for space exploration were rooted in his desire to contribute to humanity's future.

"Musk sold the company to Compaq in 1999 for $300 million... EBay bought PayPal for 1.5 billion, netting Musk $180,000,000."

This quote details the financial success of Musk's early ventures, providing the capital for his space ambitions.

• Both Bezos and Musk viewed space exploration as a means to benefit humanity and were inspired by the potential of technology advancements.
• Bezos's Blue Origin and Musk's SpaceX pursued the goal of reusable rockets, a concept that was previously unattainable.
• The story of Blue Origin and SpaceX is interwoven with the personal narratives and visions of Bezos and Musk.

"What if rockets didn't need to be that way? What if they could fly again and again like airplanes, instead of ditching into the depths of the ocean?"

This quote encapsulates the revolutionary idea of reusable rockets, a key element in both Bezos's and Musk's space ventures.

• Elon Musk views space as a solution to potential extinction events on Earth.
• He advocates for making humans a multiplanetary species to ensure survival.
• Musk envisions a "backup hard drive" for humanity on another planet.

"The solution, find another planet to live on, make humans a multiplanet species, and create a backup hard drive for the computer race there, for the human race there, just in case Earth's crashes like a faulty computer."

This quote encapsulates Musk's approach to space colonization as a contingency plan for humanity, comparing it to creating a backup for a computer.

• Elon Musk is characterized by his deep curiosity and his approach to learning.
• He is known for his analogy of the brain as software to the body's hardware.
• Musk's idea of creating a "backup" for the human race is considered innovative.

"He compares a lot, like, the brain in your. Like, your brain is basically software to the hardware."

The analogy here is used to describe Musk's thought process, highlighting his philosophical perspective on human existence and technology.

• Musk was motivated by the lack of a NASA plan for Mars colonization.
• He decided to build a rocket himself after extensive reading on the subject.
• Musk's determination was undeterred by friends who thought he was crazy.

"No matter how many times friends told him he was crazy, he shared the banker's zeal."

This quote demonstrates Musk's unwavering commitment to his vision, regardless of skepticism from others.

• SpaceX was founded to lower the cost of space travel and challenge the existing aerospace industry.
• Musk's approach to learning and solving problems is highlighted by his intense work ethic.
• His fearlessness in asking questions is noted as a key to his success.

"This, combined with a tendency to work 18 hours a day, is a sign of someone driven to succeed."

This quote points to Musk's work ethic and drive as key factors in his success with SpaceX and other ventures.

• Musk brought a rocket to an FAA event to showcase SpaceX's capabilities.
• SpaceX's culture is noted for its resourcefulness, reminiscent of the Wright Brothers.
• The company's motto emphasizes setting audacious goals and a relentless approach.

"From the beginning, SpaceX's mantra was to set audacious, nearly impossible goals and don't get dissuaded."

The quote highlights the ambitious and persistent culture Musk has fostered at SpaceX.

• Musk sued NASA over an unfair contract award, demonstrating his willingness to challenge the status quo.
• SpaceX's victory in the legal challenge was a turning point for the company.
• Musk's actions reflect his belief in fighting for what he considers the right thing.

"That victory with the GAO was important for the future of SpaceX."

The quote reflects the significance of the legal victory for SpaceX's future opportunities and credibility.

• Jeff Bezos' approach with Blue Origin contrasts with Musk's, emphasizing patience and long-term thinking.
• Bezos' patience is seen as a superpower, and his childhood influences are explored.
• Blue Origin's mascot, the turtle, symbolizes their methodical and deliberate progress.

"Step by step, ferociously."

This quote, which is Blue Origin's motto, encapsulates Bezos' philosophy of steady, aggressive progress.

• The book covers the history of space exploration and its influence on Musk and Bezos.
• The author draws connections between the past and the present, such as the impact of Sputnik on DARPA and the internet.
• Bezos' grandfather, who worked at ARPA, had a significant influence on him.

"Sputnik births ARPA, right? ARPA later called DARPA, births the Internet. The Internet then births Jeff Bezos' fortune and Jeff Bezos' fortune then births, which he then invests into rocket technology. And births Blue Origin."

This quote outlines the cyclical nature of technological advancement and its impact on current space exploration efforts, linking historical events to the personal histories of today's space entrepreneurs.

• Speaker A discusses the early enthusiasm for space experienced by a young individual after a visit to NASA's Marshall Spaceflight Center.
• The trip to the center, where rockets were built and the presence of accomplished engineers, further fueled the individual's interest in space exploration.
• This individual had a history of being engrossed in science fiction and the idea of space colonization.

"NASA's Marshall Spaceflight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This was where NASA built its rockets, the home to many of the most accomplished engineers and sharpest minds. The trip only strengthened his enthusiasm for space."

The quote highlights the significance of the trip to NASA's center in reinforcing the individual's passion for space exploration and engineering.

• Speaker A reveals an anecdote about the difficulty of punishing a young individual who found solace in reading and dreaming about space.
• This person would retreat to their room and read, which made traditional punishment ineffective.
• The individual's graduation speech as valedictorian focused on space colonization and living among the stars.

"I was very difficult to punish for my parents because they would send me to my room, and I was always happy to go to my room because I would just read."

This quote explains that traditional methods of punishment were ineffective for this individual due to their love for reading and learning, particularly about space.

• Speaker A and Speaker C discuss the vision of the individual for humanity's future in space.
• The idea was to move humanity off Earth to protect the planet, suggesting Earth be designated as a national park.
• This vision contrasts with Elon Musk's approach to creating a backup planet.

"And so his idea was to get humanity off of its surface into space so as to protect the planet."

The quote captures the individual's concept of moving humanity into space as a means of Earth's preservation, demonstrating a long-term vision for planetary protection.

• Speaker A recounts an episode from 1993 where the individual, who later became a successful entrepreneur, was unable to purchase Russian space program artifacts at an auction due to financial constraints.
• This event underscored the individual's ongoing fascination with space and the challenges faced in pursuing space-related dreams.

"In 1993, when Jeff Bezos was 29, he went to an auction at Sotheby's that was selling artifacts from Russia's space program. Amazon didn't exist yet, and Bezos couldn't keep up with deep pocketed collectors that Sotheby's attracted."

The quote illustrates the early financial limitations faced by Jeff Bezos in his pursuit of space exploration memorabilia, showing the distance between his aspirations and his reality at the time.

• Speaker A and Speaker C discuss Blue Origin's early days, the secretive nature of the company, and its ambitious goals for space presence.
• The company's hiring advertisement emphasized the need for passion for space, the desire to work in a small company, and the expectation of technical excellence.
• Blue Origin's mission was to create infrastructure for humanity to expand into space, and the company took a patient and incremental approach to this goal.

"You must have a genuine passion for space. Without passion, you will find what we're trying to do too difficult."

This quote from the job advertisement reflects Blue Origin's emphasis on passion and dedication as essential qualities for those working towards the challenging goal of expanding human presence in space.

• Speakers A and C emphasize the importance of patience, taking time, and a long-term orientation to succeed.
• The repetition of these ideas is seen as persuasive and crucial for internalizing the mindset needed for ambitious projects like space exploration.
• Jeff Bezos's approach to Blue Origin and Amazon is characterized by the mantra of "day one," signifying a constant state of innovation and avoidance of complacency.

"You have to be very long term oriented."

This quote underscores the necessity of a long-term perspective when undertaking significant and transformative projects, like those pursued by Jeff Bezos.

• Speakers A and C address the reality of the dangers associated with space exploration, including the inevitability of fatal accidents.
• The discussion includes historical context, referencing astronauts who have died and the acceptance of risk by pioneers like Gus Grissom.
• The narrative stresses the importance of continuing exploration despite the risks, as progress requires the acceptance of potential loss of life.

"Unfortunately, the personal spaceflight industry must proceed assuming that a fatal accident is inevitable."

This quote acknowledges the harsh reality of space exploration, where the potential for loss of life is a factor that must be confronted and planned for.

• Speaker A and Speaker C discuss how established aerospace companies underestimated new entrants like SpaceX, considering them insignificant and non-threatening.
• The narrative highlights the shortsightedness of the industry and the failure to anticipate the rise of new competition.
• The story of SpaceX's rise is used to illustrate the constant nature of change and the potential for underdogs to disrupt established industries.

"SpaceX was still not regarded as a threat, not by the Lockheeds and Boeings, which had large multi year contracts in hand and could sustain them as long as there were support in Congress."

This quote captures the complacency of established aerospace companies, which failed to recognize the potential of SpaceX to become a significant player in the industry.

• Speaker A and Speaker C discuss SpaceX's resourcefulness in overcoming challenges and achieving success in reaching orbit.
• The company's approach to problem-solving involved finding cost-effective solutions and utilizing available resources creatively.
• SpaceX's success is framed as a testament to the power of determination, innovation, and the ability to execute efficiently.

"SpaceX had designed and developed this vehicle from the ground up. From a blank sheet of paper. They've done all the design, all the testing in house. We don't outsource, and we have achieved this with a company that is now only 500 people, and it all occurred under six years."

This quote describes the remarkable achievement of SpaceX in developing a space vehicle entirely in-house, emphasizing the company's efficiency and innovation.

• Speaker A and Speaker C return to discussing Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin, comparing Bezos's incremental and long-term approach to that of Robert Goddard, the father of modern rocketry.
• Bezos's admiration for Goddard is evident in his naming of Blue Origin's first rocket and his son's middle name.
• The narrative emphasizes the need for patience and a steady approach to achieving ambitious goals, such as establishing a human presence in space.

"Accomplishing this mission will take a long time, and we're working on it methodically. We believe in incremental improvement and in keeping investments at a pace that's sustainable."

This quote from a blog post by Jeff Bezos encapsulates his methodical approach to space exploration, highlighting the importance of sustainability and incremental progress.

• SpaceX questioned the conventional costs and methods in their industry, leading to significant savings and innovation.
• They challenged the necessity of expensive safety requirements for cranes, leading to a reduction in costs from $2 million to $300,000.
• The company also innovated the flame duct design, creating a cost-effective solution that met safety requirements at a fraction of the traditional cost.
• SpaceX's approach exemplifies first principles thinking and challenges industry dogma.

"They said Motswell and the SpaceX team lobbied the air force officials at Cape Canaveral, ultimately convincing them to strip out many of the old regulations that were driving up the price."

The quote highlights SpaceX's proactive approach to reducing costs by challenging outdated regulations and negotiating with authorities to remove them.

"Modsul thought they could do better. Ultimately, the engineering team designed and the pad crew built a flame duct extension using steel box beams, which also carried cooling and acoustic suppression water inside the beams."

This quote demonstrates SpaceX's innovative approach to problem-solving by designing a more efficient flame duct extension that saved costs and still met safety requirements.

• Frugality is a recurring theme among successful businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Examples include SpaceX's cost-effective latches inspired by bathroom stall latches and Blue Origin's use of citric acid as a cheaper, effective cleaner for engine nozzles.
• The concept of frugality is deeply ingrained in the culture of companies like Amazon, Patagonia, Walmart, and 3G, where even billionaires like Jorge Lehman practice cost-saving habits.

"The astronauts, not only did they love it, but they love the story behind it because it shows the ingenuity."

This quote emphasizes the positive reception of SpaceX's frugal innovation, where a simple and inexpensive solution was favored and appreciated by the astronauts.

"Now I'm the largest purchaser of lemon juice in the country, Bezos told her, letting loose one of his trademark cackles."

Jeff Bezos's anecdote about citric acid showcases Blue Origin's similar frugal approach to problem-solving, finding simple solutions to complex problems.

• Entrepreneurship is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor; it requires adapting observations and lessons learned to one's unique business situation.
• Key entrepreneurial traits include resourcefulness, optimism, and frugality.
• Entrepreneurs must be willing to experiment with different ideas and retain only those that work for their specific needs.

"There's no such thing as an expert in entrepreneurship. But they do have observations and lessons that they learn along the way."

This quote underscores the idea that while there are no definitive experts in entrepreneurship, there are valuable lessons and insights to be gained from experienced entrepreneurs.

"You can try on their different ideas into whatever you're doing, much like a scientific experiment."

The quote suggests that entrepreneurs should apply a trial-and-error approach, similar to scientific experimentation, to find what works best for their business.

• A notable encounter between Elon Musk and President Obama highlighted the high stakes and uncertainties of space exploration.
• Obama's visit to Cape Canaveral and his study of Musk and the Falcon Nine rocket underscored the importance of SpaceX's mission to both national pride and the advancement of space technology.

"Musk couldn't be so sure that the falcon nine's first flight wouldn't end in an explosion. The president couldn't be sure either. And Musk couldn't help but feel as though Obama was trying to divine the future."

The quote captures the uncertainty and pressure surrounding SpaceX's early missions, with both Musk and President Obama aware of the risks and potential rewards.

• SpaceX's innovative culture was demonstrated during a crisis with the Dragon spacecraft, where the team quickly developed and executed a solution to a stuck valve.
• The incident showcased SpaceX's agility and problem-solving skills, impressing NASA officials and highlighting the company's unique approach to spaceflight.

"The SpaceX team knew that if pressure could be built ahead of the valve and then it was suddenly released, that might just deliver the kick needed to jar the valve open."

This quote illustrates SpaceX's creative thinking and technical expertise in resolving a potentially mission-critical issue in real-time.

• SpaceX faced difficult decisions regarding legal action against the United Launch Alliance and the potential to secure lucrative national security launch contracts.
• The internal debate and Musk's contemplative decision-making process reflect the high-stakes environment in which SpaceX operates.

"Suing the military industrial complex is something you do not take lightly, Musk recalled during a visit to Washington, DC, while sitting in the back of a sedan."

The quote conveys the gravity of SpaceX's decision to pursue legal action against a powerful industry group, illustrating the boldness required to challenge the status quo.

• Musk addressed the challenge of maintaining a culture of innovation and paranoia in the face of success and growth at SpaceX.
• He emphasized the importance of retaining a healthy fear of failure to stay vigilant and motivated.
• The company's early failures instilled a sense of urgency that needed to be preserved as SpaceX expanded.

"The vast majority of people at the company today have only ever seen success. You don't fear failure as much."

This quote reflects Musk's concern that success could lead to complacency, highlighting the need to maintain a culture that respects the possibility of failure to drive innovation.

• Musk and Bezos both recognize the value of competition in driving innovation and progress in the space industry.
• While they may express a public spirit of camaraderie, the underlying competitive drive between SpaceX and Blue Origin is a powerful motivator.
• The history of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union is a testament to the role of competition in achieving great feats.

"Rivalry, it turned out, was the best rocket fuel."

The quote encapsulates the idea that competition between Musk and Bezos, much like the historical space race, serves as a catalyst for innovation and progress in space exploration.