Space Minds

In this episode of Space Minds, Mike Gruss sits down with a panel of experts at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center to discuss the future of the United States Space Force. He's joined by Susanne Hake from Vantor, John Plumb from K2 Space, and Dennis Woodfork from the Johns Hopkins University. As part of an event at the Center's Discovery Series, they explored the problems congestion on orbit creates, where the Space Force needs to focus next and possible application for AI.About Space MindsSpace 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.Space Minds Podcasthttps://spacenews.com/space-minds-podcast/Sign up for a SpaceNews newsletterhttps://spacenews.com/newsletters

In this episode of Space Minds, SpaceNews senior staff writer Sandra Erwin sits down with Gen. Shawn Bratton, vice chair of space operations for the U.S. Space Force for a fireside chat at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center. In the next installment of the Center's Discovery Series, they explored where the Space Force is headed for 2040, the debate over refueling satellites and how Bratton came to join the military.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.Space Minds Podcasthttps://spacenews.com/space-minds-podcast/Sign up for a SpaceNews newsletterhttps://spacenews.com/newsletters/

In this episode of Space Minds, SpaceNews host David Ariosto talks with Chiara Manfletti, the CEO of Neuraspace and a professor of space mobility and propulsion at the Technical University of Munich. They discuss space debris, orbital logistics and managing a new orbital economy through new initiatives in Europe and around the world.

Aubrey Dunne, CTO focused on low-power onboard AI for small satellites. Roger Hunter, NASA program manager working on swarm navigation and space situational awareness. Jason Kim, CEO who led the Blue Ghost lunar lander and commercial launch efforts. They discuss dynamic targeting and low-power AI for spacecraft. Swarm experiments, lunar navigation and positioning. Commercial lunar missions, launch plans, and on-orbit software scaling.

Sandra Erwin, SpaceNews reporter on military and national security space. Jason Rainbow, SpaceNews journalist covering satellite communications and industry trends. Jeff Foust, SpaceNews reporter focused on civil space and NASA policy. They discuss Space Force budgets and cyber threats. They cover LEO broadband, D2D rivalry and spectrum deals. They probe Artemis leadership, lunar programs, supply-chain limits and AI in spacecraft.

Juan Alonso, CTO and co-founder of Luminary Cloud and professor at Stanford, delves into the evolution of aerospace engineering through physics AI. He explains how these advancements revolutionize design by enabling rapid simulations of complex aerodynamic behavior. Alonso discusses the balancing act between simulation and physical testing, emphasizing the value of collaboration in Silicon Valley. He predicts a major transformative impact from data-driven physics AI in the next five to ten years, reshaping engineering workflows across the aerospace sector.

Dr. Gurpartap "GP" Sandhoo, a Senior Space Development Agency leader, shares insights on transformative advancements in 2025. He discusses groundbreaking achievements like tracking hypersonic threats with low Earth orbit sensors and the introduction of space-based Link 16 communications for broader operational reach. The conversation also covers the successful demonstration of the first optical space-to-air laser link. Sandhoo emphasizes the importance of speed, adaptability, and emerging technologies as key to future endeavors.

In this discussion, Luke Fisher, CEO of SkyFi, emphasizes the importance of fast and actionable intelligence over just speed in launches. Bradley Cheetham, from Advanced Space, highlights the urgent need for usable capabilities, while Bob Pavelko, from Intuitive Machines, promotes a pragmatic approach using 'minimum viable products.' The panel underscores how the commercial sector is outpacing government efforts, delves into risk tolerance in experimentation, and discusses the integration of commercial and classified systems for national security.

In this episode of Space Minds, host Sandra Erwin sits down with former NASA astronaut and Space Force leader Brig. Gen. Nick Hague for a wide-ranging conversation on how the U.S. Space Force is shaping its culture, training Guardians, and preparing for future conflict in space.Hague reflects on his journey from the International Space Station to the Pentagon, where he now helps oversee operations, readiness, and policy for America’s newest military service. The discussion explores what “test” really means in the Space Force, how risk and speed are balanced, and why continuous learning is essential to maintaining space superiority.

In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss sits down with Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, one of the U.S. Space Force’s most influential acquisition leaders and recipient of the SpaceNews Icon Award for Military Space Achievement.Purdy discusses how 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for Space Systems Command (SSC) and why this past year represented a major shift toward the “ground game”—software, training systems, and modernized infrastructure. He describes how Guardians are driving adoption of AI tools, how SSC is integrating commercial innovation at unprecedented speed, and why this current wave of acquisition reform may finally stick.