The Space Policy Show

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-orb...

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 In...

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 D...

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 perspect...

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 f...

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...

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 D...

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...

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 me...

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 S...

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...

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 a...

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 Economi...

How can Australian space efforts integrate and compliment US efforts in both the defense and commercial sectors?  What makes the geographic perspective from Australia unique when it comes to deterrence and China? What are some barriers to building a more robust Australian space sector? In this episode Dr Mick Gleason, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Space Policy and Strategy, talks to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s D...

How can developments in rocket capabilities and in the way we launch reinforce resiliency and national security? For a future cislunar economy what will be the key drivers from a business standpoint? If we can maneuver space assets more responsively, how does that benefit deterrence and space sustainability? In this episode Aerospace’s Randy Kendall, Vice President of Launch, Missiles, and Mobility talks to Tory Bruno, President &a...

As launches to space become more frequent and private spaceports are planned across the globe, how do launchers and regulators work to ensure both range safety and public safety? What are competing authorizing bodies in vastly different environments like US government-owned complexes versus Rocket Lab’s private orbital launch range in Mahia New Zealand? Responsive launch is innovative but at what risk to safety? To answer these que...

The need for in-space rescue of astronauts and other space participants may not be far off.  What do current space laws say, and not say, about space rescue? What are analogies in other domains? What technological challenges exist, and what could be done in the meantime? In this episode, Colleen Stover from The Center for Space Policy & Strategy chats with experts thinking about these questions – Dr Grant Cates from The Aerospa...

Space debris is a growing problem, so what are space actors doing about it?  Active Debris Removal is a technology currently being demonstrated and strengthened.  The Zero Debris Charter from the European Space Agency is a voluntary, community-led initiative that aims to reduce the conditions that lead to more debris. In this episode, space debris expert and The Aerospace Corporation Technical Fellow Marlon Sorge discusses these ef...

 Safety and sustainability go hand in hand when it comes to protecting the orbital environment for continued use. The Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) has been informing policymakers and regulators, and performing technical research in this area for the past three decades.  In this episode Colleen Stover (Aerospace) talks to Andrew Ratcliffe, Chief Engineer of the United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA), about his...