About Erik Bethke

BS and MS in Aerospace Engineering from USC, worked at JPL on UV Spectrometer experiments for Galileo and Cassini missions, studying planetary atmospheres at unprecedented resolution.

While in graduate school, I split my time between lab work at JPL and theoretical work at USC, preparing UV spectrometers to analyze planetary atmospheres to make sense of the data from Galileo, Cassini, and Voyager.

From playing Ultima Online with an ice-cooled modem to creating Star Trek: Starfleet Command and founding multiple successful game companies.

I fondly remember playing Ultima Online in 1997 with a 9600 baud modem that would overheat - I had to place a metal bowl filled with ice on its aluminum case for 20-hour gaming sessions! Years later I would fly on one of Richard Garriott's Zero-G training flights.

Captained Ad Astra, a Lagoon 450 sailing catamaran, across oceans with my family, exploring remote islands and teaching the next generation of adventurers.

In Los Roques, Venezuela, during tense US relations, we navigated not just waters but international diplomacy, leading to unexpected friendships and adventures in this pristine archipelago of 400 islets.

Mastered technical diving, becoming an instructor and exploring depths up to 215 feet, like the Windjammer wreck in Bonaire.

Solo diving with side mount became my meditation - the one time I could truly leave the regular world behind and be present in an alien underwater world - diving at night on Klien Bonaire when the corals spawn and I felt like I was at least as far away as Alpha Centauri.

Developing Mars settlement simulations and working with scientists, engineers, and astronauts to inspire the next generation of space explorers.

Working with Dr. Lawrence Kuznetz, who was 'on console' during Apollo 11, and Dr. Cameron Smith on the first exploration suit specifically designed for Mars.

Combining technology, exploration, and education to push boundaries on Earth and beyond, while inspiring others to do the same.

From the depths of the Caribbean to the simulating the economy of Mars, every adventure has been about pushing boundaries and sharing knowledge.