Ex Terra: The Journal of Space Commerce
Explores commercial space industry issues and their impacts back on Earth.
Unlocking New Space Broadband Capacity, and the Consequences of ‘On Hold’
The episode examines three major developments reshaping space broadband: the FCC’s draft order to replace the outdated EPFD framework with performance‑based spectrum sharing rules, a move that could unlock over $2 billion and boost capacity up to sevenfold; Amazon’s pending acquisition of Globalstar, which would give Amazon LEO a ready‑made fleet and spectrum to meet its July 30 launch deadline and expand direct‑to‑device services for consumers and governments; and Portal Space Systems’ $50 million Series A raise to build highly maneuverable satellites, highlighting a shift toward agile, on‑orbit operations. Guests from the FCC, Amazon, and Portal provide insight into regulatory, commercial, and technical perspectives, while the broader context includes Slingshot Aerospace’s AI‑driven space‑domain awareness platform and NASA’s stalled commercial LEO destination program.
Weird Space Stuff: Jay Schwartz on the Journals of Space Commerce Podcast
In this episode, FCC Space Bureau Chief Jay Schwartz explains the bureau’s recent creation (April 2023) and its expanding mandate to manage the surge in satellite communications licensing, especially as low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) constellations now dominate 80% of applications—a 217% increase...
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...
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...
First Deorbit-as-a-Service Contract Awarded to Starfish Space
The episode spotlights the U.S. Space Force SDA’s historic $52.5 million Deorbit‑as‑a‑Service contract awarded to Starfish Space, which will launch the Otter spacecraft to safely dispose of LEO satellites starting in 2027. It contrasts this with ESA’s $475 k award to Astroscale...
Inside AE Industrial Partners
In this episode, Tom Patton interviews Kirk Konert, Managing Partner at AE Industrial Partners, about the firm’s role in advancing the space industrial base and its view of space as essential infrastructure for the global economy. Konert explains AEI’s investment...