226 - Is Orbital Cleanup the Launchpad for Asteroid Mining?
In this episode, host explores the growing problem of orbital debris and its potential as a springboard for asteroid mining. Joel Sercel, CEO and founder of TransAstra, explains how his company’s capture technology can safely remove defunct satellites and repurpose the material for deep‑space missions. He highlights the economic and environmental benefits of turning junk into a resource, and outlines the technical hurdles that must be overcome to scale up operations. The conversation also touches on regulatory frameworks and the broader vision of a sustainable space economy.
He Thinks AI Code May Break Everything - EP 59 Will Wilson
In this episode, host Ashley Vance talks with Will Wilson, co‑founder of Antithesis, about the chronic unreliability of software and why traditional example‑based testing fails. Wilson explains how Antithesis uses deterministic simulations and property‑based (autonomous) testing to expose unknown‑unknown bugs...
Semiconductors, Satellites, and Scale With Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy
In this episode, Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy explains how her company provides end‑to‑end semiconductor services—from custom ASIC design and foundry access to wafer processing, packaging, board assembly, and final box builds—for aerospace, defense, and the rapidly growing new‑space sector....
ISS Demonstration: A Tow Truck for Space.
In this episode of T‑Minus, host Maria Varmazas interviews Troy Morris, CEO and co‑founder of KMI, about the company’s successful in‑space demonstration of its articulated “tow‑truck” arms aboard the ISS. The demo involved over 200 days of testing, capturing unprepared...
AvTalk Episode 359: Reading Them the ROTOR Act
In this episode Ian and Jason discuss the stalled passage of the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act (ROTOR Act), which aims to mandate ADS‑B‑In across U.S. airspace and tighten reporting for Department of Defense exemptions after the Washington,...
Episode 146: Embodied AI on the ISS - Jamie Palmer
In this episode, Claire Asher talks with Jamie Palmer, co‑founder and CTO of Icarus Robotics, about developing free‑flying, dexterous robots to assist astronauts on the ISS and future commercial stations. Palmer explains how the robots—essentially microgravity drones with manipulators—are being...
Using AI to Train Space Warfighters
In this episode, Tom Patton talks with Dr. Belinda Merchan, Chief Scientist at Slingshot Aerospace, about how AI is transforming space warfare training. Traditional training relied on scripted scenarios, but Slingshot’s agentic AI uses physics‑based models and proprietary tracking data...
Episode 145: Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing - Agata Suwala
In this episode, Claire interviews Agata Suwala, Technology Manager at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, about how robotics and automation are being used to make manufacturing—especially in aerospace—more sustainable and scalable. Agata explains the latest advances in robotic dexterity, the role...
Hypersonic Hustle & Orbital Muscle.
The episode highlights three major developments in the defense and commercial space sector: Stratolaunch securing a $90.8 million Department of War contract for the MACH‑TB 2.0 air‑launched test vehicle program, Agile Space Industries closing a $17 million Series A round to expand its small‑sat...
China’s Record-Breaking Investment in a Private Rocket Company.
In this episode, host T‑Minus chats with Michelle Lucas, CEO of Higher Orbits, about China’s surge in private‑sector space funding, highlighting iSpace’s $730 million raise to develop reusable rockets, Space Epoch’s new capital for a 2026 launch and sea‑recovery test, and...
882 Air Accident Updates
The episode reviews recent aviation safety incidents, including the preventable DCA mid‑air collision highlighted by NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, a JetBlue A320 software glitch lawsuit against Airbus, and investigations into an Air India 787 fuel‑control switch issue, a United 777...
225 - What Are the Biggest Untapped Opportunities in Satellite IoT?
In this episode, Jake Saunders, Vice President at ABI Research, breaks down the firm’s latest report on satellite IoT, highlighting a projected $3.1 billion market size by 2030. He outlines the most promising yet under‑served commercial verticals—such as remote agriculture, maritime...
Ep 38: Interview with Lt. General (Ret.) David Buck, President, BRPH Mission Solutions
In this episode, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) David J. Buck discusses how his three‑decade Air Force career—spanning strategic missile, space launch, satellite command, and cyber operations—shapes his work leading BRBR Mission Solutions, a firm that designs and builds mission‑critical infrastructure for...
Artemis II: The Ground Teams Powering NASA's Moon Mission
In this episode of *Curious Universe*, hosts Padi Boyd and Jacob Pinter spotlight the Exploration Ground Systems that enable Artemis II, detailing the mobile launcher, the massive crawler‑transporter, and NASA’s recovery barge Pegasus. They interview astronaut Victor Glover, who emphasizes how...
Protecting Stadiums in the Age of Drone Incursions: Melissa Swisher, CRO at SkySafe
In this episode, Melissa Swisher, CRO of SkySafe, explains how airspace intelligence is evolving to protect large venues like stadiums from unauthorized drones. She highlights the biggest gaps in current drone defense—lack of real‑time detection, attribution, and actionable analytics—and how...
From Pluto to Pharmaceuticals
In this brief episode, the host explains how NASA employs spectroscopy to decode the composition of planets and their atmospheres, from distant bodies like Pluto to potential applications in drug discovery. By examining how light interacts with matter, scientists can...
A Million-Satellite Constellation, and Tough Sledding for Space Tourism
The episode explores SpaceX’s ambitious filing to launch up to one million satellites as an orbital data center, positioning the company toward a Kardashev Type II vision and highlighting regulatory waivers and the link to Elon Musk’s AI venture. It then...
Better Satellite World: The State of Space in the State
The episode reviews the current landscape of New York’s space and satellite industry, anchored by Empire Space’s data-driven census and ecosystem mapping. Guests discuss how the state’s regulatory environment, talent pool, and funding ecosystem are shaping growth, with insights from Patterson...
Mars to Table
NASA is back for seconds with a new food system design challenge.
881 On-Condition Maintenance for GA
In this episode, Mike Busch, founder and CEO of Savvy Aviation, makes the case that general aviation is over‑maintained and advocates a shift to on‑condition, reliability‑centered maintenance to save owners time and money while easing mechanic workload. He outlines the...
Harnessing Nuclear Power
In this brief episode, the hosts discuss NASA's renewed partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop safe nuclear power systems for space missions. They explain how compact fission reactors could provide reliable energy for deep‑space exploration, lunar bases,...
Can the Aerospace and Defense Rally Continue in 2026?
The episode examines whether the recent aerospace and defense rally can sustain its momentum into 2026, starting with a look at how NATO alliances fund European defense spending. It then shifts to Middle East geopolitical dynamics and their impact on...
Eye on Travel — February 7, 2026
In this episode of Eye on Travel, Peter Greenberg explores the economics of airline pricing, questioning whether fares should be weight‑based, and examines operational issues at Southwest. Jeremy Tarr of Fodors explains the factors behind fare differences, while Richard Fain...
Artemis II: Inside NASA’s New Ride to the Moon
In this episode, hosts Jacob Pinter and Padi Boyd take listeners inside NASA’s Artemis II mission, touring the Orion crew capsule with vehicle manager Branelle Rodriguez and exploring its life‑support, habitability, and waste‑management systems. They also sit down with Space Launch...
Building Products for Pilots: A Case Study - Cristina Bustos (Swiss AviationSoftware)
In this episode of The Product Experience, Randy Silver interviews Cristina Bustos, Product Manager at Swiss AviationSoftware, about launching a native mobile app for pilots in the highly regulated aviation sector. Cristina shares how she shifted from business analysis to...