On15th October 2025, one of my decade-long space dream was fulfilled. I had the incredibly opportunity to host a live session with Dr. James Wertz, renowned for his work on space mission design and attitude determination and control.
This was the first time I hosted Hyperbolic Orbits Podcast as a live session, joined by a luminary group of professionals and students who are expanding the boundaries of space exploration.
The session began with a couple of questions I had in mind since the first time I read SMAD series, and was taken forward by Dr. Wertz with an enlightening discussion on designing future lunar missions. This topic was based on a course that Dr. Wertz is currently teaching at USC, and focuses on the social aspects of taking humans to the Moon. The questions and interaction from the audience elevated the interest quotient of the discussion and no matter how much I would love to write about the conversation we had, the only way to experience it is by watching the recording, now available on Hyperbolic Orbits Podcast (link below).
Throughout my interaction with Dr. Wertz for this session, I have received kindness and help that only reiterates why Dr. Wertz is renowned as one of the most knowledgable and brilliant educators in the space sector.
We need to try and become more like him, learning everyday, understanding space development across dimensions, and keeping the legacy of space education moving forward.
About Dr. James R. Wertz:
Dr. James Wertz is a leading figure in space mission engineering, recognized for his profound impact on making space exploration more accessible and cost-effective. As President of Microcosm, he has been a principal innovator in developing practical solutions for low-cost space launch systems, autonomous navigation, and satellite systems. An adjunct professor of astronautics at the University of Southern California, Dr. Wertz is currently teaching a unique course on commercial lunar settlements. He is the editor and principal author of several seminal texts that have become standard references in the field of space exploration, including Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control and the widely-used Space Mission Analysis and Design (SMAD). He has taught his methodologies to a global audience of professionals and students, sharing his expertise in mission design, orbit and constellation management, and cost reduction, and continues to explore the future of space through his work and writings for SpaceNews.com.
Have said it multiple times, but it isn’t enough — thanks to Dr. Wertz and every single person who took out the time to join. No worries if you couldn’t, the entire conversation is online now.
Please watch and share this episode. Also available on Spotify.
About the Author : Sumana Mukherjee is the founder of Sustainaverse, an aerospace engineer with experience in working on multinational space projects, and is trying to explore if living on Earth and in outer space are part of the same conversation.
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