Ep.17 Dr. Michael Smart - Co-founder and CTO of Hypersonix Launch Systems - Building the future of hypersonic propulsion and access to space 🚀
Learn about Michael's transition from Professor to Startup founder, building hard things in aerospace, hypersonic propulsion and access to space, commercialisation in Australia and much more.
About Michael
Dr. Michael Smart has spent his life dedicated to furthering research in hypersonics and scramjet technology. He spent 10 years as a research scientist in NASA Langley Research Centre, and 15 years as a professor and chair of hypersonic propulsion at the University of Queensland. Michael has recently started a company called Hypersonix Launch Systems to commercialise his research and technology around scramjet based propulsion systems. As cofounder and CTO of the brisbane based hypersonics startup, he is leading a team of 35 to tackle a bold and ambitious goal, which is to develop the worlds first reusable hypersonic vehicle, which will be used to further his mission of efficient and reliable access to space.
In this episode, Michael and I discuss his career so far as a hypersonics researcher, spinning off his company, the transition from academia to startups, what it takes to build hard things, the issue with commercialising deep tech in Australia and much more.
Connect with Michael & Hypersonix
LinkedIn: Michael Smart | LinkedIn
Email: michael.smart@hypersonix.com
Website: Hypersonix Launch Systems | Sustainable Aerospace Technology | Hypersonix
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