Phase Four designs and manufactures simple electric propulsion engines for space. We explore the ins and outs (and ups and downs) of developing a revolutionary new engine for space exploration on "P4, What For?".
Tweet us your questions @phasefourplasma, and learn more about in-space propulsion at http://phasefour.io.
Previously, we had plasma physicist Derek Thompson on to explain how and why the Phase Four RF thruster is propellant agnostic. This week, VP of advanced development Jason Wallace joins us to talk about why propellant agnosticism is important.
21 Jan 2020
P4W4: What does "propellant agnosticism" mean?
Our first-ever episode aimed to answer the question "what is plasma?" Today, we go much deeper with Phase Four plasma physicist Derek Thompson as we tackle what "propellant agnosticism" means for the Phase Four RF thruster (RFT).
Dr. Thompson examines what allows the RFT to be propellant agnostic, and what makes a good propellant.
30 Sept 2019
P4W4: How do I forge a strategic partnership?
Last week, we talked to Phase Four CEO Beau Jarvis about international sales partners, and how he thinks about growth and expansion for space companies. He focused on traditional sales partners, but brought up the concept of "strategic partners".
Today, we're thrilled to be joined by VP operations Jason Wallace and director of supply chain Laura Overly, who help us define a strategic partnership--and the challenges and opportunities behind them.
9 Sept 2019
P4W4: How do I build a sales network?
2019 has been a big year for Phase Four. In addition to launching Maxwell, our turn-key propulsion system for small satellites, we announced a big commercial partnership with Sunrise, a Japan-based technology company helmed by Dr. Hiroshi Nashimoto. "If you look at dollars invested in commercial space, Japan is the second largest market--even larger than Europe. That was eye-opening. That's a market we wanted to get in, and get moving quickly, which is why we went to a partner," says Phase Four CEO Beau Jarvis.
Today, we sit down with Beau to explore how he thinks about setting up an international sales network: Why set one up to begin with? How should you think about timing the expansion of your sales network?
Subscribe to P4W4 on Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, and Google Play.
14 Aug 2019
P4W4: What is a kit?
A couple weeks ago, we shared a milestone with our followers on Twitter: our first "kit" for Maxwell, Phase Four's turn-key propulsion system for small satellites. Today, we sit down with Phase Four's director of supply chain Laura Overly to help clarify what kitting is, and why it's important.
Subscribe to P4W4 on Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, and Google Play.
2 Jul 2019
P4W4: The Digital Thruster
Phase Four software lead Dillon Krasovec talks through the trend of “digitizing hardware”. Can you even find a toaster that doesn’t have at least eight buttons these days? Dillon dives into how that trend is affecting the aerospace industry, and what considerations lay behind Phase Four’s decision to digitize the RF thruster.
Subscribe to P4W4 on Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, and Google Play.
18 Jun 2019
P4W4: What's thrust efficiency?
Phase Four's Chris Cretel explains what propulsion engineers mean by "thrust efficiency".
Subscribe to P4W4 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Play.
5 Jun 2019
P4W4: What is thrust?
Phase Four's Chris Cretel, a propulsion engineer, explains what we mean by "thrust" when we talk in-space propulsion.
Subscribe to P4W4 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Play.
28 May 2019
P4W4: What are ceramics? (Part 3)
Last week, Dave Tsai explained how ceramics are used throughout the space industry. Today, he shares how ceramics factor into thruster design at Phase Four.
If you missed it:
Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/phase-four/p4w4-what-are-ceramics-part-1
Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/phase-four/p4w4-what-are-ceramics-part-2
14 May 2019
P4W4: What are ceramics? (Part 2)
Last week, Phase Four's Dave Tsai explained what ceramics are (https://soundcloud.com/phase-four/p4w4-what-are-ceramics-part-1). In part 2 this week, he shares why they're useful in space.
Part 3: https://soundcloud.com/phase-four/p4w4-what-are-ceramics-part-3
7 May 2019
P4W4: What are ceramics? (Part 1)
Seems like a simple question, but this one is a doozy. Phase Four's Dave Tsai explains what "ceramics" means in the aerospace industry in part one of this three part series on space ceramics.
Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/phase-four/p4w4-what-are-ceramics-part-2
Part 3: https://soundcloud.com/phase-four/p4w4-what-are-ceramics-part-3
24 Apr 2019
P4W4: Who is Maxwell?
Phase Four's Umair Siddiqui explains who Maxwell is, why his work is important, and why Phase Four's small satellite propulsion system is named after him.
15 Apr 2019
P4W4: What's a dipole?
"P4, What For" is a sound bite where we challenge a Phase Four team member to answer a hard question in one minute. In this episode, test engineer Mazzin Ajamia explains what a dipole is.
1 Apr 2019
P4W4: What's a magnet?
"P4, What For" is a sound bite where we challenge a Phase Four team member to answer a hard question in one minute. In this episode, test engineer Mazzin Ajamia explains how a magnet is made.
28 Mar 2019
P4W4: What's plasma?
"P4, What For" is a sound bite where we challenge a Phase Four team member to answer a hard question in one minute. In this episode, CTO Umair Siddiqui gets a tough one: WHAT IS PLASMA?
Contact P4, What For?
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of P4, What For??
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
