NASA Wants to Bring Talent Back In-House.
In this episode, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman outlines a strategy to bring critical capabilities back in-house, emphasizing the restoration of the agency’s core competencies. The discussion highlights a $54.5 million contract awarded to Starfish Space for an Otter satellite‑servicing vehicle for the U.S. Space Force, and NASA’s selection of two Earth System Explorers missions for further development. Guest Patrick O’Neill, Public Affairs and Outreach Lead at the ISS U.S. National Laboratory, provides insight into how these initiatives support broader research and operational goals, and he touches on emerging in‑orbit servicing partnerships such as Momentus.
Spinoff 2026
NASA technology brings the golden age of exploration to Earth.
SSPI-WISE Presents: New Orbits, New Rules of Space & Satellite Governance
The episode explores the rapidly changing landscape of space regulation and satellite governance, focusing on new orbital rules, debris mitigation, and licensing frameworks. Dr. Alice Bunn explains the UK Space Agency’s strategic priorities, Karen Cox discusses how LeoLabs’ tracking data...
Elon Wants Data Centers in Space?
In this episode, Jamie and Jaeden examine Elon Musk's recent acquisition of XAI by SpaceX, discussing how the merger could enable the creation of data centers in orbit and accelerate lunar manufacturing initiatives. They explore the strategic advantages of combining...
Designing the Future
Augmented Reality could help NASA produce future spacecraft for new missions of discovery.
The Crawler
In this brief 1‑minute‑30‑second episode, the host explains the engineering marvel of the massive crawler‑transporter that moves an eleven‑million‑pound rocket from the Vehicle Assembly Building to a launch pad over four miles away. The discussion highlights the crawler’s massive weight,...
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...
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...
Testing Robotics in Space
The future of in-space robotics relies on testing operations in space.
What Does It Really Take to Make Space Work for Your World?
In a 50‑minute Better Satellite World Awards roundtable, SSPI’s Tamara Bond‑Williams convenes leaders from Astroscale, INTEGRASYS, and River Advisers to discuss how satellite systems impact daily life on Earth. The panel delves into orbital sustainability, interference protection, spectrum access, and...
Tissue Engineering
The winners from NASA’s Vascular Tissue Challenge are taking their Earth-based research to space.
First Flight
The episode chronicles NASA's historic first flight of the X‑59 Quiet Supersonic Transport, detailing the years of design, development, and testing that led to its October launch. It explains how the aircraft's innovative shape and engine technology aim to dramatically...
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...
VC10X - Engineering Liquidity in Deeptech - Brad Harrison, Founder, Scout Ventures
In this 45‑minute episode, West Point graduate and former Airborne Ranger Brad Harrison explains how Scout Ventures applies military‑grade SOPs and a 40‑revision investment process to back frontier deep‑tech startups at the nexus of national security and innovation. He details...
The Infrastructure Revolution Behind Data Centers in Space With Ramon.Space CEO Avi Shabtai
In this episode, Ramon.Space CEO Avi Shabtai explains the vision of a distributed‑architecture data center in space, where a mesh of satellites functions as individual compute and storage nodes. He outlines the technical foundations—edge‑computing hardware, onboard processing, and inter‑satellite networking—that...
Protecting Human Health
NASA researchers monitor the atmospheric movement of pollutants to help protect human health.
Prioritizing Shortfalls
In this brief 1‑minute, 30‑second episode, NASA discusses how it is leveraging the rapid growth of the U.S. space economy to shape its own technology investment strategy. The agency highlights the importance of identifying and prioritizing “shortfalls” – capability gaps...
Sovereign Space, Smart Weather, and a Very Busy Orbit.
The episode spotlights major developments in the increasingly crowded orbital environment, including D‑Orbit’s $53 million Series D raise to boost M&A and in‑space computing, Loft Orbital’s selection as prime contractor for France’s DESIR radar‑imaging program, and Aalyria’s award from the U.S. Air...
Molecular Oxygen
In this episode, the host explores NASA's innovative approach to extracting molecular oxygen from lunar regolith by separating it from solid metals embedded in moon dust and rock. The discussion covers the underlying chemical processes, the engineering challenges of scaling...
Space and Satellite Futures: How Is INTEGRASYS Strengthening Satellite Operations. Through Software-Defined Capability?
In this New Member Spotlight episode, SSPI host Tamara Bond‑Williams interviews INTEGRASYS CEO Álvaro Sánchez about the company's software‑defined approach to satellite operations. Sánchez explains how INTEGRASYS tackles interference mitigation, spectrum awareness, and operational resilience, enabling operators to make long‑term...
Catalysing a Space Cluster in South New Zealand: An Interview with David Powell
In this episode, host Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom interviews David Powell, Business Development Manager at the University of Otago and convener of the Aero+Space South initiative, about the creation of a space cluster in South New Zealand. Powell outlines how the Aero+Space...
Mysteries of Molten Metal
In this episode, researchers discuss groundbreaking experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station that explore the behavior of supercooled molten metal oxides in microgravity. They explain how eliminating Earth's gravity allows the metal to solidify without convection, revealing previously hidden...
NASA Delivered
The episode reviews NASA’s landmark achievements in 2025, spanning breakthroughs in aeronautics, deep‑space exploration, and planetary science. Highlights include the successful test of the X‑57 electric aircraft, the Artemis II crewed lunar flyby, and the Perseverance rover’s new sample‑return mission milestones....
EP34: Col (Ret) Keith Balts, PhD, Speaks About Leadership
In this episode, retired Air Force Colonel and Clemson professor Keith Balts discusses his journey from ROTC commissioning to leading space operations, highlighting the evolution of space missions from a support role to a strategic warfighter capability. He shares vivid...
Deorbiting Trash
The episode explores the growing problem of orbital debris and how Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft are being repurposed to deorbit trash from the International Space Station. It explains the mechanics of Cygnus’s re‑entry burn, the types of waste it can...
Middle East, Space and Connectivity Hub and Sovereignty
The episode examines how the Middle East is rapidly emerging as a global hub for space and connectivity, driven by ambitious satellite programs and strategic partnerships. Guest Steve Bochinger, Affiliate Executive Advisor at Novaspace, outlines the region's vision for space,...
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...
Welcome Home, NASA’s SpaceX Crew 11.
The episode recaps NASA’s SpaceX Crew‑11 splashdown after a five‑month ISS stint and discusses recent industry moves, including Slingshot Aerospace’s $27 million US Space Force contract for AI‑driven space‑warfare training, CAS Space’s debut of a suborbital two‑stage research rocket, and collaborations...
Spirit of Innovation
From astronaut gloves to space food, NASA Centennial Challenges looks to the public for solutions.
Trapped in the Lunar Dust
The episode explores the MSOLO mission’s plan to land on the Moon and analyze lunar regolith for traces of helium-3, a potential clean‑energy fuel. It explains how helium-3 could be trapped in the fine dust and why detecting it is...
A Slice of Space
The episode explains how the Europa Clipper mission uses a tiny segment of starfield imagery to pinpoint its trajectory and navigation in deep space. It details the technical process of star tracking, why a small slice is sufficient, and the...
Laser Beam Power
In this brief episode, researchers from Purdue University discuss their innovative project to harness laser beams for power generation by directing them at a lightweight, origami-inspired sail. They explain how the sail's foldable design maximizes surface area while remaining compact...
Weighing the Future of Space Exploration.
In this special edition, COO Charles Doran of Solamed Solutions discusses how advances in telemedicine, robotics, and AI are reshaping space medicine and the ethical frameworks needed for long‑duration missions to the Moon and Mars. He highlights critical gaps such...
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...
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...
SPLICing the Way
The episode explores NASA's latest autonomous lunar landing technologies, focusing on the SPLICE system that integrates advanced sensors, AI navigation, and precision thrusters to enable safe, unmanned Moon landings. Hosts discuss how these innovations reduce risk, accelerate mission timelines, and...
NASA Weighs an Early End to Crew 11’s Mission.
The episode discusses NASA's consideration of ending Crew‑11’s mission early due to a medical issue aboard the ISS, while also covering corporate moves such as Karman Space & Defense’s acquisition of Seemann Composites and MSC, and the launch of PowerBank...
Public Ingenuity
NASA is looking for solvers who can recycle waste into usable products.
Congress Rejects Proposals for Cutting NASA’s Budget for the Fiscal Year.
The episode reviews Congress's decision to reject the Trump administration's proposed deep cuts to NASA, instead approving a $24.4 billion budget for FY2026, and highlights recent industry milestones such as NASA awarding ARES Technical Services the Wallops Flight Facility launch‑range contract...
222 - GNSS Resilience, Interoperability and Trust
In this episode, Lisa Dyer, Executive Director of the GPS Alliance, explains how growing geopolitical tensions and reliance on precise timing are driving the need for GNSS resilience, interoperability, and innovation across multiple satellite constellations. She highlights that robust, cross‑compatible...
NASA Launches an Infrastructure Modernization Effort.
The episode discusses NASA’s sweeping infrastructure modernization, including the demolition of the T‑Tower test facility at Marshall and the closure of the Goddard library, both reflecting broader shifts in agency priorities. It highlights NASA’s selection of industry proposals to advance...
Indoor Air
The episode explores how winter’s closed windows lead to stale indoor air and introduces a NASA spinoff technology that identifies houseplants capable of improving air quality. Listeners learn which specific plants are most effective at filtering pollutants and how to...
ESA Ended 2025 with a Data Breach.
The episode covers three major space industry developments: the European Space Agency’s confirmed data breach involving roughly 200 GB of stolen information, L3Harris’s sale of a majority stake in its Space Propulsion and Power Systems unit to AE Industrial Partners, and...
Flight and the Future with Astronaut Wendy Lawrence.
In this episode, retired Navy captain and former NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence recounts her journey from watching Apollo 11 as a child to flying four Space Shuttle missions, including the historic STS‑114 return‑to‑flight after Columbia. She highlights the rigorous training...
How Is GovSat Supporting Secure Connectivity for European Governments?
In this episode, Tamara Bond‑Williams interviews Josef Nemec, Technical Director of GovSat, about the GovSat‑1 satellite’s role in delivering secure, non‑preemptible X‑band and military Ka‑band communications for European governments and NATO allies across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Nemec...
Celebrating Midnight
Astronauts on the International Space Station will pass midnight sixteen times on New Year’s Eve.
Mentorship with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
The episode explores the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s mentorship program, featuring former NASA astronaut Christopher Ferguson and his mentee Vikas Patel. They discuss how ASF connects students with seasoned professionals, offering guidance on technical skills, career development, and personal growth, while...
Space Power Grid.
In this special edition, Maria Varmazis interviews Andrew Rush, CEO of Starcatcher, about the company's Wolfshirr Power Grid—a constellation of satellites that beams additional solar photons to existing spacecraft, dramatically boosting their power output without major retrofits. Rush explains how...
Axiom 4 Science Missions.
The AX‑4 mission will return India, Poland, and Hungary to government‑sponsored human spaceflight, hosting a record‑setting 60 experiments from 31 nations aboard the ISS. Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low explains that experiment selection hinges on partner priorities, technical feasibility, and...
Using Lunar Resources for the Betterment of All Humankind.
In this episode, Forrest Meyen, co‑founder and CSO of Lunar Outpost, explains the company’s vision of using lunar resources to benefit humanity, focusing on surface mobility as the key enabler. He details the Eagle Space Truck—a durable, 10‑year‑life lunar vehicle...