The Ark seems to be powered by Uranium 238 (U-238), that is a Uranium isotope which has an atomic weight of 238 units. On Earth, the Uranium isotope that is used for weapons and in power plants is called Uranium 235 (U-235). In order convert the more common U-238 to the more useful U-235 (difference of a few neutrons), it must be enriched using a breeder reactor.
A gravitational assist or gravitational slingshot, is the technique of using the energy of a gravitational field and the orbital velocity of a planet to change the speed and trajectory of a spacecraft. The converse would be gravitational braking or gravity-assist breaking, is where the trajectory is designed to pass in "front" of the planet instead of behind it, so that a craft can brake and insert into orbit of the object.
"Two by Two" is an allusion to the story of Noah's Ark, Book of Genesis, Old Testament. It refers to every kind of creature, male and female, that boarded the Ark before the Flood.
From the interview of Dr. Thrust and his wife - Ross 128 b is a confirmed Earth-sized exoplanet, likely rocky, that is orbiting within the inner habitable zone of the red dwarf Ross 128, at a distance of around 11 light-years from Earth. It was Discovered on November 15, 2017. The planet is only 35% more massive than Earth, receives only 38% more starlight, and is expected to be a temperature suitable for liquid water to exist on the surface, if it has an atmosphere.
There is no Klampkin's Disease in real world. Series co-creator Jonathan Glassner had revealed that the name was a take from one of the writers, Kendall Lampkin.