Core Memory The First Bungee Jump, Space Weapons, Lunar Landers and Airships: Al Weston Has Done It All
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Mar 20, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Dr. Alan Weston, an aerospace engineer with a colorful past that includes early bungee jumping and developing space weapons, shares his extraordinary journey. He reveals his pivotal role in creating low-cost lunar landers at NASA and his innovative work with airships for Sergey Brin's startup. Weston also shares exciting stories, like flying a powered hang glider over London in a gorilla suit and insights into modern airship potential for green transport and humanitarian aid.
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Hover Testing Proved Space Technologies On Earth
- Weston developed hover-testing to evaluate small exo-atmospheric interceptors on the ground in a treaty-compliant, repeatable way.
- These tests accelerated development and proved technologies that later evolved into operational systems.
SDI Research Led To Operational Defenses
- Research from SDI directly fed operational missile defense like the Aegis LEAP interceptor used today.
- Technologies matured from R&D into systems that now intercept real threats.
Public Tests Shaped Strategic Perceptions
- Publicizing technological progress was part of the strategy and may have influenced Soviet perceptions.
- Weston admits SDI's visibility could have contributed to geopolitical pressure on the USSR.
