Space Minds

In this bonus edition of Space Minds, host David Ariosto speaks with Robyn Gatens, NASA's Director for the International Space Station, live at the AIAA Ascend conference in Las Vegas on the status of the International Space Station, its planned decommissioning by 2030 and the expected follow-on commercial space stations.

In this week’s special episode of Space Minds coming to you a day early, host Mike Gruss speaks with Heather Pringle, CEO of the Space Foundation on the just released Space Report 2025 Q2 edition and the top three takeaways including the news that the global space economy hit a new record in 2024.They discuss the remarkable 7.8% annual growth rate, the rise of commercial space, and how key developments like Golden Dome, launch frequency acceleration, and international investment are driving the industry forward.

In this week’s episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss is joined by Matthew Weinzierl, Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Research at Harvard Business School, and Brendan Rosseau, Strategy Manager, New Glenn at Blue Origin, for a deep dive into the forces reshaping the global space economy as outlined in their book Space to Grow.Drawing from their new book Space to Grow, the pair discusses how market dynamics, shifting public-sector priorities, and defense investments are driving a new era of space activity.From the growing influence of Space Force and NASA budget constraints to the classroom at Harvard and the C-suite in industry, Weinzierl and Rosseau offer a rare macroeconomic lens on the challenges—and opportunities—facing space as it moves further into the commercial and geopolitical spotlight.Whether you're a policymaker, investor, operator, or observer, this episode captures the critical questions facing the future of space enterprise.

In this week’s episode of Space Minds, award-winning science fiction author and physicist David Brin joins host David Ariosto for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of space, science, and humanity. From self-replicating probes and quantum sensing to moving Earth’s orbit and the true role of science fiction, Brin offers bold ideas grounded in decades of speculative thought and hard science. He challenges conventional wisdom on the Artemis program, discusses the risks and promises of artificial intelligence, and even makes the case for Yoda as history’s most evil character. Strap in — this is not your average sci-fi chat.

In this week’s episode of Space Minds David Ariosto sits down Nathalie Cabrol, Director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute who explains why the Red Planet may hold answers about extraterrestrial life as well as our own origins.Our conversation explores the potential for life on Mars, the implications of exoplanet discoveries, and how AI is transforming our understanding of habitability. She challenges our assumptions about intelligence, consciousness, and the very nature of life itself—both here on Earth and beyond. A thought-provoking conversation that expands your view of the universe—and our place within it.And in our second segment, Space Takes, our hosts discuss space based tools used for war and the attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. They then discuss Europe's launch capability and their efforts to be less reliant on SpaceX.

In this week’s episode of Space Minds David Ariosto sits down with Chris Stott, Chair and CEO of Lonestar Data Holdings who explains how lunar storage could be humanity's best defense against a digital catastrophe.The discussions delves into the company’s efforts to establish data infrastructure beyond Earth, including the deployment of early-stage hardware and software in lunar orbit. Our conversation with Stott examines the challenges and implications of creating off-world data centers, and considers how such developments could serve both terrestrial markets and long-term space exploration goals.Stott discusses the strategic and technical motivations behind the missions, including latency, security, and geopolitical competition—highlighting parallels with terrestrial data vulnerabilities and the growing scale of global data production. The episode also delves into the broader context of lunar development, the role of commercial space actors, and the evolving dynamics of global space policy.And don't miss our co-hosts' Space Take on important stories.

In this week's episode of Space Minds, we explore how microgravity accelerates aging—and guest Dr. Nadia Maroouf shares her insights on the phenomenon and what she’s doing to help protect astronauts.Dr. Maroouf is a clinical scientist and analog astronaut. From simulating life on Mars at the Mars Desert Research Station to exploring healthcare technologies for astronauts, Dr. Maroouf shares how innovations developed for space can help medicine here on Earth. Our host David Ariosto and Dr. Maroouf delve into the physiological toll of space travel, the promise of the AstroSkin biowearable system, and the exciting potential of the HSP27-based cardio-protective vaccine. Plus, Dr. Maroouf reflects on her inspiring personal journey from rural Morocco to the frontlines of space medicine. Don't miss this powerful conversation about science, resilience, and the future of human health in space.And don't miss our co-hosts' Space Take on important stories.

In this week's episode of Space Minds Retired Space Force Lt. Gen. John Shaw explains what it was like building a new military branch, the risks of commercial integration and the race to protect U.S. satellites in orbit.General Shaw shares some of the history on the formation of the Space Force and its cultural shift away from the Air Force, to the growing influence of commercial players like SpaceX and the conversation dives deep into the challenges and opportunities of the “Third Space Age.” General Shaw also shares insights on emerging technologies, vulnerabilities in space infrastructure, the strategic implications of China’s advancements, and the potential of data centers and AI-enabled autonomy in orbit.And don't miss our co-hosts' Space Take on important stories.

Ashley Johnson, President and CFO of Planet, shares insights on how daily Earth imaging can make global change visible and actionable. She discusses the transformative role of AI and hyperspectral data in monitoring the planet. The conversation highlights the unique ability to analyze historical imagery to anticipate events, emphasizing its applications in environmental protection and disaster response. Johnson also addresses ethical considerations and the future implications of geospatial intelligence in an increasingly transparent world.

Devin Brande, the Director of Commercial Operations at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, shares insights from the GEOINT Symposium. He discusses the importance of collaboration and innovation in geo-intelligence, emphasizing the role of international partnerships. Brande also addresses the challenges entrepreneurs face when presenting complex ideas, and the need for clear communication. Additionally, he reflects on how integrating commercial tech can enhance capabilities and shape the future of geospatial intelligence.