Guest:  Tim Pickens;  Topics: Pickens Innovation products & philosophy, skilled aerospace labor concerns, space entrepreneurism, Musk leadership, aerospace careers, valves, 3D printing & more.  Please direct all comments and questions regarding specific Space Show programs & guest(s) to the Space Show blog which is part of archived program on our website, www.thespaceshow.com.   Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm.   

We welcomed back Tim Pickens to a one segment one hour 24 minute wide ranging discussion.  Tim started out by telling us about his new company and product line which focuses on high quality, precision valves.  His new company, Pickens Innovation, can be found at https://timpickens.com.  In talking about Pickens Innovation, he provided us with a bit of personal history dating back to early commercial and NewSpace time lines.  He talked about providing rocket test stands facilities, propulsion products and more.  He explained how the company settled in with a valve product line and what role valves play in the industry.

Other topics discussed included the risks associated with the aerospace industry and the challenges for a small company to have and maintain a skilled labor pool.  He talked about stiff competition from the traditional aerospace companies as well as the larger newer companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin.   Part of this discussion focused in on AI and robotics along with advanced manufacturing technologies to reduce dependence on skilled labor.  Tim talked about some of these technologies but mostly about 3D printing.  With regards to 3D printing, he talked about shortages in companies that actually do good work.  Don't miss what he said about this. 

Listeners asked Tim questions about starting one's own business fresh out of school, working for a large, traditional aerospace company or working for a smaller, hands on company, possibly even a startup.  Don't miss what Tim said about these options and what in his opinion was the most sensible approach for a fresh graduate.  Additional topics included a discussion about small satellites, the suborbital industry, and the potential use of space tugs.  Tim also talked in some detail about the suborbital rocket market.  You do not want to miss what he said regarding suborbital everything.

One thing that our guest said over and over again was the need to have fun with whatever you do.  Having fun as you will hear should be a primary objective with regards to your work, business, and your expected outcomes, even in the risk aerospace industry.  As we were nearing the end of our program, we talked about the use of mentors and mentoring.  Briefly, Tim was strongly supportive of mentors but listen to all about what he said on this subject.  Tim talked about the need for mentors and counselors to be objective and the added risk of only listening to yourself about the business, projects and other critical things. 

Visionaries such as Musk were a big part of our discussion.  Tim did provide us with a takeaway message and a concluding thought s don't miss the end of our discussion.  Please post your comments/questions on TSS blog for this show.  You can reach Tim Pickens through me or his website mentioned earlier in this summary.