Science Fiction and Innovation in Space

In this episode of Space Minds, Senior Staff Writer Jeff Foust moderates a panel at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center, the next installment of the Center’s Discovery Series.The panel brings together leaders from Astrobotic, Apex, Johns Hopkins APL and Stoke Space to explore how ideas once confined to the pages of science fiction are rapidly becoming reality. From commercial lunar landers and factory-scale satellite production to nuclear-powered rotorcraft bound for Titan and fully reusable rockets designed to fly daily, the space industry is undergoing a transformative moment.The panel discusses the technologies driving this surge—lower-cost launch, advanced autonomy, shrinking spacecraft, and the rise of a vibrant commercial ecosystem. They also examine the future of lunar infrastructure, in-orbit manufacturing, national security needs, and the growing competitive pressure from China. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about innovation, challenges, and the new frontiers emerging as space becomes more accessible than ever.