The Space Policy Show

What is the role of government when it comes to enabling and protecting the business of space? How do regulations keep up (or not) with innovation? To what degree is Space Situational Awareness (SSA) inherently a government function like highway or maritime safety, and which agency should take responsibility? In this episode we talk to former Directors of the US Office of Space Commerce (OSC) about their experience across multiple White House administrations, and the history and future of decision-making in the newly elevated agency-level office. Christine Joseph, The Aerospace Corporation and former advisor at OSC talks to Kevin O’Connell, now CEO of Space Economy Rising and Richard DalBello now Principal at RDB Space. This episode is part of the Going Faster Series that discusses various facets of speed, agility, innovation, and rapid deployment in national security, civil, and commercial space. Available by video or podcast. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Commercial space is a growing industry, and the U.S. government is looking for ways to build capabilities, support private industry, and increase competition. Organizations like Satellite Industry Association (SIA) and Commercial Space Federation (CSF) are working to ensure their members have a voice when it comes to government policy making and strategies for maintaining U.S. leadership in space. Join Audrey Allison, Sr Policy Analyst CSPS, Mr. David Cavossa, President CSF, and Mr. Tom Stroup, President SIA as they discuss some of the most important challenges, recent White House decisions, safety and sustainability, the EU Space Act, international decision-making, competition with China, and more. This episode is part of the Going Faster Series that discusses various facets of speed, agility, innovation, and rapid deployment in national security, civil, and commercial space. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

What needs to happen to improve government acquisition processes so we can go faster to defend and protect our nation and our allies? There are “pockets of innovation” that could be scaled, but how is that balanced with risk? Join CSPS senior policy analyst Andrew Berglund as he talks to former Assistant Secretary of Defense and former staffer on the House Armed Services Committee, Stephen Kitay, now Senior Vice President for Space Defense at True Anomaly. This episode is part of the Going Faster Series that discusses various facets of speed, agility, innovation, and rapid deployment in national security, civil, and commercial space. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Nuclear power and propulsion for space has a long history yet there continue to be hurdles from lack of mission to perceived safety concerns. That could be changing as humans stretch to travel further in space and live on celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars. Should NPP be government or commercial? Is the right pursuit for Deep Space nuclear electric or thermal propulsion? What would a “warp speed roadmap” look like? Learn more in this episode featuring Dr Brian Weeden from The Aerospace Corporation talking to Dr Bhavya Lal, former NASA Associate Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy and current professor at RAND School of Public Policy. This episode is part of the Going Faster Series that discusses various facets of speed, agility, innovation, and rapid deployment in national security, civil, and commercial space. Available by video or podcast. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Rocket launches are exciting business, but there’s a LOT that goes on behind the scenes and before the rocket is rolled out to the pad. Learn more from this ‘How Stuff Works’ episode! From encapsulation to assembly and integration, launch processing typically takes two years, but the U.S. government is finding ways to meet the demand for increased cadence. For commercial launchers, government ranges provide infrastructure like roads and control centers, utilities like power and water, and shared commodities like security and weather data – all working toward public and environmental safety. Talking to host Colleen Stover from Aerospace’s Center for Space Policy & Strategy, are two experts from The Aerospace Corporation, Kim Goodwater, Systems Engineering and Integration, and Johanna Malaer, Launch Test Range Operations – located at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. This episode is part of the Going Faster Series that discusses various facets of speed, agility, innovation, and rapid deployment in national security, civil, and commercial space. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Open-source intelligence has historically been used to augment government intelligence about our adversaries. Government is relying more heavily on commercial data but how does that lend to resiliency, transparency, and deterrence? How should commercial data become more integrated and more trusted? What role does AI/ML have in the future of warfare? This episode features Colonel Lina Cashin (USAF, ret.) from The Aerospace Corporation speaking to USSF Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence Chief Master Sergeant Ronald Lerch and Clinton Clark, Vice President at data supplier ExoAnalytic Solutions. This episode is part of the Going Faster Series that discusses various facets of speed, agility, innovation, and rapid deployment in national security, civil, and commercial space. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

The participation of private industry in science and exploration missions that are sponsored by government has increased while still asking and answering some of humanity’s hardest questions – and lower costs, build domestic industry, prove technology, and maintain leadership. What could government do differently to continue fostering private space successes, including full commercialization? This episode highlights the 62nd annual Goddard Space Science Symposium, 19-21 March, 2025. Colleen Stover, Center for Space Policy & Strategy, talks to key commercial players about their recent lunar landings, and guests from Planetary Society and the American Astronautical Association about the right policies, messaging, and questions needed to maintain US leadership in space exploration. Featured guests: Jordi Paredes GarciaTrent MartinCasey DreierJim Way, Executive DirectorRon Birk, PresidentAvailable by video or podcast. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

How can we balance the growing number of satellites on orbit, and the services they provide, with the importance of astronomical science and protecting Dark and Quiet Skies? Reflected light and spectrum interference from satellites have become more problematic for astronomers and Star Gazers alike, but there are mitigation techniques being developed and tested to protect our Night Sky. Understanding the approaches to timely de-orbiting and space traffic awareness play into protecting astronomical instruments and data, and maintaining the beauty of the Night Sky. Join The Aerospace Corporation’s Colleen Stover and experts Dr. Lindsey DeMarchi, a “stellar mortician”, and Dr. Samuel Factor, Division of Signal & Image Processing, to discuss the issues and potential solutions around the resilience of our skies. Read more at the American Astronomical Society. This episode is part of the Center for Space Policy and Strategy's series on Resiliency. The series explores various perspectives of what resiliency means from across the space community. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

The World Economic Forum has set up the 1st Centre for Futures focused on space, and hosted by the Saudi Space Agency, to foster innovation and economic growth across the enterprise. Which areas does the global Centre see as most critical to space delivering its promising economic value? What is the role of policy and regulation on a global scale in the successful commercialization of space? How does the Centre fit into the 4th Industrial Revolution’s manifest? In today’s show, Dr Jamie Morin (Center for Space Policy & Strategy, Executive Director) talks to Mishaal Ashemimry, Center for Space Futures Managing Director, and aerospace engineer, entrepreneur, and commercial pilot. Available by video or podcast. This episode is part of the Center for Space Policy and Strategy's series on Resiliency. The 6-part series explores aspects of the intersection between resilience space and the security of our future. Episodes include: The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

In any future conflict, space will be involved – from jamming to cyber-attacks or worse. The orbital environment may not be able to withstand more debris from explosions or derelict objects orbiting uncontrolled. How can we engage remediation with new technologies, mitigation through better designs, and regulating with flexibility to ensure growth in a contested environment? In this episode, Aerospace’s Marlon Sorge (Executive Director, CORDS) and Gregory Henning (Lead, Space Object Risk Dept.) discuss their research into considerations and solutions for sustaining the function of space during conflict. Read the paper: “Space Sustainability in the Context of Contested Space” Available by video or podcast. This episode is part of the Deep Dive Series hosting our policy experts to discuss content and recommendations in the Space Agenda 2025, a compendium of chapters exploring the most pressing issues in space policy today and over the next several years, published by the Center for Space Policy & Strategy. Read more about Space Agenda 2025…. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

The promise of return from investments in low Earth orbit (LEO) and cislunar, including the lunar surface, is the reason humans continue scientific and exploratory endeavors in space. But what are those returns, and how could they benefit humanity and economic activity? The relationship between stakeholders can be viewed through the lens of cooperation, competition, and commercial. But what challenges are there from the perspective of U.S. leadership in technology, business, and governance? In this episode, Dr. Angie Bukley and Colleen Stover from Aerospace’s Center for Space Policy & Strategy discuss their recent research on developing a LEO and cislunar economy to further U.S. national interests. Available by video or podcast. Want to learn more? Check out: “Mind the Gap: Commercial Space Stations & the ISS”“Moonstruck! International Aspirations in Cislunar Space” This episode is part of the Deep Dive Series hosting our policy experts to discuss content and recommendations in the Space Agenda 2025, a compendium of chapters exploring the most pressing issues in space policy today and over the next several years, published by the Center for Space Policy & Strategy. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Experts claim the space economy will grow by many millions of dollars in the next decade, but why are predictions so different, how do some double count, and what are the potential biases? If government is to protect its investments into commercial services and hardware, what are the questions around consolidation, export control, and rationality? In this episode, space economist Karen Jones and systems director Dr Brian Weeden from the Center for Space Policy & Strategy discuss their recent research on measuring the space economy. Read more at “Rational Exuberance: Understanding Value and Performance in the Space Economy”. Available by video or podcast. This episode is part of the Deep Dive Series hosting our policy experts to discuss content and recommendations in the Space Agenda 2025, a compendium of chapters exploring the most pressing issues in space policy today and over the next several years, published by the Center for Space Policy & Strategy. Read more about Space Agenda 2025…. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Recent geopolitical and natural events have highlighted the interconnectedness of the US supply chain for technology sectors, including space. The increasing use of proliferated low Earth orbit (PLEO) satellites offers a unique lens through which to understand the changing needs of the space supply chain – needing more satellites, more often in a quickly evolving innovative and threatening environment. What should the US approach be to meet the demands of increased throughput dictated by smaller, cheaper launch when it comes to securing the supply chain? In this episode Lori Gordon, Systems Director at Aerospace Corporation, talks to Andrew Berglund, senior policy analyst at Center for Space Policy & Strategy about this and more. Available by video or podcast. Want to learn more? Check out: “Strengthening the Industrial Base to Deliver the Future Defense Space Architecture” by Andrew Berglund. This episode is part of the Deep Dive Series hosting our policy experts to discuss content and recommendations in the Space Agenda 2025, a compendium of chapters exploring the most pressing issues in space policy today and over the next several years, published by the Center for Space Policy & Strategy. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

A successful commercial space sector will depend on a modern regulatory environment that can “keep up” with innovative technology and geopolitical reality. The US space regulatory regime has evolved, but what’s been so hard about finding the right mix? When it comes to US leadership in commercial space, how can insight into the Great Power Competition be leveraged for national security? In this episode Dr. Brian Weeden, Systems Director at Center for Space Policy & Strategy and Geoff Reber, Principal Scientist for Aerospace’s Defense Space Acquisition talk to Victoria Woodburn. Want to learn more? Check out: Strengthening a Solid Foundation: U.S. Advantages from Commercial Space“Space Regulatory Reform Is a Wicked Problem Still Worth TacklingThis episode is part of the Deep Dive Series hosting our policy experts to discuss content and recommendations in the Space Agenda 2025, a compendium of chapters exploring the most pressing issues in space policy today and over the next several years, published by the Center for Space Policy & Strategy. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Over the past four years the world has witnessed significant change – from covid to conflict. The next US administration will need to make some big muscle movements in order to be both responsive and proactive in the years ahead. Strategic foresight is one way to frame that out, and ask the right questions on where our attention needs to be. In this episode Kara Cunzeman, Systems Director for Strategic Foresight at The Aerospace Corporation, talks to Colleen Stover, CSPS, about this and more. Available by video or podcast. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Space as a domain crosses all geopolitical borders which is why solutions from space to Earth must be international and sustainable over the long-term. “Responsible Space” was the theme of this year’s International Astronautical Congress (IAC) held in Milan, Italy. The Space Policy Show’s Colleen Stover, Center for Space Policy & Strategy, went on-location to learn more. In this episode we discuss what space sustainability means from different perspectives, how experts are working to predict orbital viability with metrics, and about operational and economic challenges to the future of servicing and moving satellites in orbit. Featuring: · Alvin Drew, former US astronaut and NASA Director Space Sustainability, talking to Marlon Sorge, Aerospace Corporation Technical Fellow and Director of Aerospace’s Center for Orbital and Reentry Debris Studies (CORDS). · Dr Francesca Letizia, European Space Agency (ESA) and Prof Camilla Colombo, Politecnico di Milano University Italy, talking to Gregory Henning, Aerospace Corporation Manager of Debris & Disposal. · Maxime Puteaux, Euroconsult Paris and Akhil Gujral, Aerospace Corporation General Manager of Launch Missiles and Mobility, talking to Colleen Stover, CSPS. Available by video or podcast. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

The importance of space safety spans the lifetime of an entire effort – from design and launch to operations and demise. The International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) brings together experts from across the world to explore technical and governance solutions to better maintain and sustain space activities on Earth, in orbit, and beyond. In this episode Colleen Stover of the Center for Space Policy and Strategy goes on-location to the 13th annual IAASS conference “Building a Safe, Secure, and Sustainable Space” held in Prague, Czech Republic. Stover interviews some key participants about some of these. Topics are: Maj. Gen. Sean Choquette, US Air Force Chief of SafetyProfessor Andrea Harrington, Institute of Air and Space Law, Tommaso Sgobba, Executive Director, IAASSJustin Hill, Director Flight Safety, Australian Space AgencyAvailable by video or podcast. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

How does space sustainability drive research in policy and strategy from both sides of the Atlantic? What are the trades between the good space brings to all of humanity and how do we protect that for future generations? How will success be measured and what are the upcoming key decision points? On location at the 75th annual International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Italy this episode features Executive Director, Center for Space Policy & Strategy, Jamie Morin and Director, European Space Policy Institute, H. Ludwig Moeller talking to Colleen Stover of The Aerospace Corporation. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

The weaponization of space can be worrisome. What is a space weapon and how could the “security dilemma” lead to an arms race in space? For the space environment to be resilient it must be protected, what are the alternatives to weaponization? In this episode, Jennifer Cannon from Aerospace Corporation’s Government Relations, explores these questions with Dr Nola Haynes, expert in space security and international relations, and adjunct professor at Georgetown University. This episode is part of the Center for Space Policy and Strategy's series on Resiliency. The series explores various perspectives of what resiliency means from across the space community. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Japan is situated in the Asia Pacific Region (APAC), considered “a rough neighborhood” when it comes to national defense and security. Recent developments have meant Japan is moving from a strategic posture to a more operational one, and the partnerships with the U.S. and others in space will be key to regional and global security. To talk about this and more, Sam Wilson, Systems Director CSPS, talks to Director and Lead of Economic Security at Japan’s Institute of Geoeconomics, Dr Kazuto Suzuki. Then Wilson has a follow-on discussion regarding missile warning with Visiting Research Fellow Kota Umeda. This episode is part of the Center for Space Policy and Strategy's series on Resiliency. The series explores various perspectives of what resiliency means from across the space community. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!