

Space Minds
SpaceNews
Space Minds is a new audio and video podcast from SpaceNews that focuses on the inspiring leaders, technologies and exciting opportunities in space.
This weekly podcast features compelling interviews with scientists, founders and experts who love to talk about space, covers the news that has enthusiasts daydreaming, and engages with listeners. Join David Ariosto, Mike Gruss and journalists from the SpaceNews team for new episodes every Thursday.
This weekly podcast features compelling interviews with scientists, founders and experts who love to talk about space, covers the news that has enthusiasts daydreaming, and engages with listeners. Join David Ariosto, Mike Gruss and journalists from the SpaceNews team for new episodes every Thursday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 23, 2025 • 29min
The astronaut who filmed the Dream is Alive
In this episode of Space Minds, host David Ariosto speaks with Terry Hart, former NASA astronaut and mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Challenger. Hart reflects on the triumphs of early shuttle missions, the lessons of the Challenger tragedy, and how those experiences shape today’s commercial space era led by companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.Now a professor at Lehigh University, Hart shares insights on leadership, safety, and the enduring human drive to explore. This conversation connects the legacy of the Shuttle program to the future of human and commercial spaceflight.

Oct 16, 2025 • 21min
China’s year-end space sprint
On this episode of Space Minds, SpaceNews China correspondent Andrew Jones joins host Mike Gruss to unpack China’s year‑end sprint in space: expected tests tied to Long March 10 and a new crew spacecraft, up to eight maiden commercial launches from firms like Landspace and Space Pioneer alongside CASC’s Long March‑12A, and the state‑backed funding push behind national mega‑constellations.He also breaks down the recent “non‑Earth imaging” cat‑and‑mouse between Maxar and Chang Guang Satellite Technology—and shares how he verifies news from Finland as China’s space information ecosystem evolves.

Oct 9, 2025 • 33min
Lockheed Martin adapting to a faster space race
In this week’s episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss speaks with Robert Lightfoot, president, space at Lockheed Martin and former NASA associate administrator. Lightfoot takes us inside the company’s large space portfolio — from building weather and GPS satellites to advancing missile defense and next-generation interceptors. He shares how Lockheed is adapting to faster, more agile ways of working, explores the evolving economics of space, and reflects on how the U.S. can protect critical assets in an increasingly contested domain. Plus, a look ahead to ambitious milestones like the Artemis moon missions and a potential 2028 space-based interceptor test.

Oct 2, 2025 • 30min
Space Security, Threats and Rapid Innovation
This week’s episode guest is Steve Kitay — former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, former head of Microsoft’s space initiatives, and now Senior Vice President for Space Defense at True Anomaly.The conversations takes us inside a rapidly shifting orbital landscape, where national security, commercial innovation, and geopolitical competition collide. From China’s accelerating satellite programs to the race for real-time space situational awareness, we explore how companies like True Anomaly are building the tools to protect U.S. interests and maintain deterrence in a new era of space as a warfighting domain.

Sep 25, 2025 • 18min
Inside ispace Europe and the race to explore the moon
In this week's episode of Space Minds SpaceNews editor Mike Gruss talks with Julien Lamamy, Managing Director of ispace Europe from the World Space Business Week in Paris.Julien shares how the company is developing cost-efficient lunar exploration — from testing and launching its first rover to preparing MAGPIE, a groundbreaking European mission to study hydrogen on the Moon. We discuss how “new space” approaches are reshaping exploration, Europe’s emerging lunar economy, and why Luxembourg is fast becoming a global space hub. Listen in for a deep dive into the future of lunar mobility and resource discovery.

Sep 19, 2025 • 21min
Shaping the New Era of Space
In this episode, SpaceNews editor Mike Gruss talks with Pacome Revillon, CEO of Novaspace. They discuss the accelerating race in direct-to-device satellite communications, the surge in defense spending and dual-use technologies, and the growing role of sovereignty in global space strategies. Revillon also shares insights on consolidation trends within the industry, the future of AI in space applications, and predictions for what’s ahead in launch and defense markets.

Sep 18, 2025 • 20min
Racing Toward Real-Time Intelligence with BlackSky
In this episode, SpaceNews editor Mike Gruss talks with Brian O'Toole, CEO of BlackSky.The conversation dives into BlackSky’s latest contract win with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the growing role of AI in geospatial intelligence, and the race to deliver near real-time imagery from space. O’Toole also shares insights on sovereign space capabilities, commercial opportunities beyond defense, and how the next generation of satellites is reshaping the future of intelligence.

Sep 17, 2025 • 25min
Redwire’s global strategy from space to security
In this episode, SpaceNews editor Mike Gruss talks with Peter Cannito, CEO of Redwire.They discuss the future of the European space market, Redwire’s expanding footprint, and the growing intersection of space and defense technology.From strategic acquisitions in Europe to investments in autonomy and software, Cannito outlines how Redwire is positioning itself as a nimble, mid-sized player bridging the gap between startups and aerospace giants. The conversation also explores avenues in pharmaceutical research in microgravity, the rise of very low Earth orbit missions (VLEO), and how space and drone technologies are converging to reshape national security.

Sep 17, 2025 • 20min
Kepler Communications CEO talks sovereignty, security, and space data
In this episode, SpaceNews editor Mike Gruss talks with Mina Mitry, CEO of Kepler Communications. They discuss Kepler’s groundbreaking optical communications test — the first ever to connect an aircraft and a spacecraft via laser link. Mitry explains why this milestone matters for defense, border monitoring, and the future of real-time data transfer. The conversation also explores Kepler’s role in an evolving space ecosystem, the push for interoperability and sovereignty, and the company’s roadmap toward delivering internet beyond Earth.

Sep 15, 2025 • 27min
Inside ESA’s vision with Josef Aschbacher
In this episode, SpaceNews editor Mike Gruss talks with Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency.They discuss Europe’s case for greater investment in space, the growing role of defense and security in ESA’s agenda, and the ambitious budget negotiations ahead of November’s ministerial conference. From dual-use technologies to new launch competition and commercial partnerships, Aschbacher outlines how ESA is positioning itself for a rapidly changing space economy.


