Space Minds

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.

This is a bonus edition of Space Minds by SpaceNews. This week we’re at the US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation GEOINT Symposium in St. Louis where we’ll post episodes Monday through Wednesday.Our guest today is Keith Masback, Principal Consultant of Plum Run, LLC. He sits down with Chief Content and Strategy Officer Mike Gruss to break down the latest news and insights from the event.

Robert Cardillo, President of the Cardillo Group and former head of the NGA, delivers fascinating insights about the evolving landscape of geospatial intelligence. He discusses the pressing need for reform in intelligence procurement, arguing for a commercial-first approach. The conversation also dives into the transformative role of artificial intelligence in data analysis, dispelling myths about its impact on jobs. Cardillo highlights the expectations for upcoming initiatives under new leadership and the future of space policy.

This is a bonus edition of Space Minds by SpaceNews. This week we’re at the US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation GEOINT Symposium in St. Louis where we’ll record post episodes Monday through Wednesday.Our guest today is Ronda Schrenk, CEO of the US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation. She sits down with Chief Content and Strategy Officer Mike Gruss, to break down the latest news and insights from the event.

In this week's episode of Space Minds Mamta Patel Nagaraja - NASA's former associate chief scientist-offers an insider's look at how science priorities are set, what gets cut and what the future holds for research aboard the ISS and beyond.In our conversation with Nagaraja she reflects on her time at the agency, her unexpected layoff, and the broader implications of the current shift in the U.S. space landscape. She explains her role and that of the Office of Chief Scientist in advising NASA leadership on science priorities and mission viability during times of tight resources, particularly as the International Space Station (ISS) faced increasing demands. Nagaraja also discusses the agency's transition toward commercial partnerships in space, emphasizing the fundamental shift from NASA being an architect to a client in this new commercial space age. Nagaraja then shares the emotional impact of her layoff, underscoring her lifelong passion for space inspired by the 1980s shuttle era and her parents' immigrant sacrifices. Despite the setback, she remains committed to the spaceflight mission and is optimistic about contributing from the private sector. She also advocates for the societal value of space research, offering a compelling example of NASA-developed technology transforming hospital care.

In this week's episode of Space Minds, former Navy captain, shuttle astronaut, and current president of the Space Operating Group at ASRC Federal, Scooter Altman, reflects on his remarkable career—from performing stunts in Top Gun to commanding space missions—and shares his insights on why Mars represents humanity's next great leap.In the conversation Altman begins by sharing his experience performing aerial stunts for the movie Top Gun, offering a glimpse into the crossover between military aviation and popular culture.The discussion then shifts to the evolution of space exploration, reflecting on the capabilities and limitations of the space shuttle, the stalled ambitions of a Mars mission by 2015, and the challenges of transitioning to new launch systems. Altman highlights the rise of commercial spaceflight, especially the role of companies like SpaceX, while acknowledging the risks and regulatory complexities involved. The conversation touches on broader themes like national prestige, competition with China, and the urgent need for better space traffic management as launch rates and satellite numbers surge. Altman closes with a personal story of perseverance, detailing his setbacks and determination to become an astronaut, emphasizing the importance of resilience and never giving up on one’s goals.

In this week's episode of Space Minds, Bhavya Lal, the former acting Chief Technologist at NASA explains how nuclear power could unlock humanity's next giant leap in space.Our interview with Bhavya Lal, a prominent voice in space policy, delves deeply into the conversation around nuclear power in space. It begins with a historical overview, citing projects like Orion and NERVA from the 1950s and 60s that envisioned nuclear propulsion for interplanetary missions. Lal underscores how nuclear space exploration has long been discussed but has struggled to gain sustained investment and progress, often stalling due to overambitious goals, lack of demand, cultural fears, and infrastructure gaps.A key part of the discussion centers on the immense energy density of nuclear power compared to conventional methods, which makes it especially valuable for long-duration space missions, such as to Mars or beyond. Lal emphasizes that solar power becomes increasingly inefficient the farther we venture from the Sun, making nuclear energy essential for propulsion, habitats, and industrial activities in deep space. She also highlights how countries like Russia have already launched several nuclear reactors for space use, motivated by strategic military needs.From a geopolitical perspective, Lal stresses the need for the U.S. to treat nuclear space power as a strategic priority, noting how rivals like China are integrating fission reactors into their lunar base plans. She calls for a "crawl, walk, run" approach to developing robust space nuclear infrastructure, beginning with small-scale tests in Earth orbit and scaling up.Our interview ends on a personal note, with Lal recounting her childhood inspiration from the 1969 moon landing and her father’s influence. She discusses the emotional and inspirational power of space exploration, especially in motivating youth to pursue STEM, and reflects on how her passion for preserving humanity ultimately brought her back to a career in space policy.

In this week's episode of Space Minds, Lori Garver, former NASA Deputy Administrator sits down with host David Ariosto. Garver describes what drives spaceflight-and what that means for the agency's shifting priorities.In this conversation Garver delves into the evolving landscape of U.S. space policy, particularly against the backdrop of political dynamics, commercialization, and shifting priorities within NASA. Garver reflects on the continuity and changes in NASA’s approach, highlighting enduring issues such as the politically driven support for the Space Launch System (SLS) and the broader implications of increased partisanship. Garver also critiques the sustainability of current lunar missions and expresses concern about potential budget cuts, particularly in space and Earth sciences, as NASA shifts focus toward Mars exploration and commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) initiatives. Garver notes the influence of billionaires on the space economy, which has reshaped priorities and expectations, often at odds with traditional governmental roles. And to wrap up, Garver emphasized the need for strategic clarity, especially in the context of geopolitical competition with China and uncertainties brought by trade policies and tariffs. Ultimately, she underscores the complexity of aligning national space goals with constrained budgets and commercial interests, warning that without clear direction and support, NASA could face significant challenges in executing its long-term vision.Space Minds Podcasthttps://spacenews.com/space-minds-podcast/

In this week's episode of Space Minds, Bill Nye, CEO of the Planetary Society sits down with host David Ariosto. The conversation starts with Bill's journey but quickly pivots to the proposed science budget cuts at NASA.In this conversation, Bill Nye reflects on the current state of space exploration, describing it as the most exciting period since the Apollo era due to the surge in rocket launches, commercial space ventures, and ambitious scientific missions. He emphasizes the importance of NASA focusing on extraordinary, non-commercial tasks such as exploring Mars, Europa, and Venus, while leaving routine operations in low Earth orbit to private companies. Nye voices strong opposition to proposed budget cuts to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, arguing that such reductions undermine essential scientific progress and public interest in space exploration. He also critiques the idea of colonizing Mars, noting the planet’s extreme hostility and drawing parallels to the inhospitable nature of Antarctica.The conversation delves into the philosophical implications of discovering extraterrestrial life, which Nye believes would profoundly shift humanity's understanding of its place in the universe. He warns against prematurely contaminating potential Martian habitats with human bacteria, advocating for cautious and deliberate exploration. Beyond space science, Nye addresses the challenges of modern science communication and the divide between scientifically literate and disengaged populations. He highlights the need to inspire younger generations to pursue STEM fields. Nye concludes by underscoring the need for strong leadership at NASA to maintain U.S. prominence in space and support ongoing missions.

This is a bonus edition of Space Minds by SpaceNews. This week we're at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs where we'll record an episode Monday through Thursday. Our guest today is Brad Head, Managing Director of International Partnerships at Elara Nova. He sits down with Chief Content and Strategy Officer Mike Gruss to break down the latest news and insights from the Symposium including a conversation on global collaboration and the evolving commercial space landscape.