The DownLink Podcast
Weekly space business, defense, and policy analysis.
Space Competition: “March Storm” On Capitol Hill Seeks Equal Tax Treatment For Space Investors
In this episode of The Downlink, host Laura Winter speaks with space policy veterans Peter Gerritsen and Aaron Osterly about the annual "March Storm" advocacy push on Capitol Hill. They explain how volunteers are trained to deliver a unified message urging Congress to declare commercial space development a national policy and to amend tax incentives so that the $20‑$30 billion of venture "dry powder" stays in the space sector. The guests argue that clear legislative language acts as a “weather‑vanes” for investors, spurring new companies and projects, and that past grassroots lobbying was crucial to milestones like commercial crew and ISS transport. They also highlight specific tax reforms—such as tailoring the Qualified Small Business Stock exemption and depreciation rules—to better fit the long‑term, capital‑intensive nature of space ventures.
Space Tech: Skynopy - The Ground Station Play That May Have a Military Application
In this episode Laura Winter talks with Pierre Bertrand, co‑founder and CEO of Skynope, about the company’s Ground‑Station‑as‑a‑Service model that lets satellite operators tap unused capacity at existing ground stations and add plug‑and‑play stations via Skynope’s software stack. Bertrand explains...
Space Money: Tariffs, SCOTUS, Carveouts, And Space Business
In this episode, Laura Winter discusses with legal experts Bailey Reichelt and Nick Baker how the Supreme Court’s decision deeming President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs unconstitutional impacts businesses, including those in the...
Space Power: Middle East Ambitions
In this episode, Laura Winter discusses the burgeoning space capabilities of Israel and Iran, contextualized by a recent U.S. meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu on curbing Iran's nuclear program. Guest Lawrence Rubin explains how both nations are...
Space Money: The Space Force Budget And A New Leader
Space Money: The Space Force Budget And A New Leader by The Defense & Aerospace Report
Space Power: The View From Down Under
In this episode, Laura Winter and Malcolm Davis discuss Australia’s evolving role in space security and defense amid a shifting global order. Davis outlines how Australia must modernize its national defense strategy, invest in indigenous space capabilities, and deepen collaboration...
Space Money: "Steel Is Sexy"
In this 36‑minute episode, the hosts explore the emerging economics of space manufacturing, arguing that the production of steel and other high‑value materials in orbit could become a lucrative new industry. They discuss recent policy moves, including a Trump‑era executive...
Space Power: What Are The Strategic Implications of the Trump Corollary and Venezuela?
The episode examines the strategic ramifications of President Trump's recent executive order aimed at reviving a U.S. "Star Wars" space defense program, often dubbed the "Trump Corollary," and explores how this shift influences geopolitical tensions, particularly with Venezuela's growing interest...
Space Power: New Names May Foretell New Space Weapons Systems
The episode examines how recent renaming of U.S. space units signals a shift toward developing dedicated space‑based weapons, exploring the strategic implications of a new “Star Wars”‑style executive order. It highlights the evolving doctrine that treats space as a contested...
