Space Minds

In this week’s episode of Space Minds, host David Ariosto speaks with Riley Duren, CEO of Carbon Mapper and veteran of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Duren discusses how his nonprofit is harnessing cutting-edge satellite technology to track methane and carbon dioxide emissions—the “super pollutants” driving climate change. He explains Carbon Mapper’s mission to make greenhouse gas data visible and actionable, the technical innovations behind their hyperspectral satellites, and the incentives that motivate companies to reduce emissions. Drawing from his decades at NASA, Duren highlights the shift from risk-averse institutional missions to an agile, public-private partnership model, and why moving fast is essential in the fight against climate change.

Space Minds host David Ariosto speaks with Will Bruey, CEO and co-founder of Varda Space Industries.Varda is pushing the boundaries of drug development by leveraging microgravity to create new formulations not possible on Earth, bringing them back through its own reentry vehicles.In our conversation, Bruey explains why the economics of launch and manufacturing have finally made this business viable, how Varda’s “microgravity oven” could transform drug development, and why their technology also opens doors to hypersonic applications.

In this enlightening conversation, Al Tadros, Chief Technology Officer at Redwire with decades of experience in satellite systems, explores the exciting future of space infrastructure. He highlights how private investment is revolutionizing space, transitioning it from government dominance to a bustling marketplace. Tadros also delves into the groundbreaking potential of bioprinting in microgravity and the sustainability of space resource utilization. Additionally, he discusses the intricacies of balancing commercial interests and national security in the evolving landscape of space exploration.

Gabe Zimmerman, Director of In-Space at Ursa Major, shares insights from the SmallSat Conference, emphasizing the industry's evolving priorities. He discusses balancing cost with reliability amidst supply chain challenges. Zimmerman highlights the importance of volume production and strategic vertical integration to meet growing satellite hardware demands. He also reflects on the rapid proliferation of SmallSats and the exciting potential of hybrid propulsion solutions, showcasing the need for collaboration to navigate the booming landscape of satellite technology.

This week SpaceNews is at the SmallSat Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss speaks with Todd Master, Chief Operating Officer of Umbra, about the evolving small satellite market, supply chain challenges, and the company’s expansion from SAR data services into satellite components. Master discusses shifting investment trends in the space industry, the importance of building products around real customer needs, and how AI is reshaping operations. The conversation also explores how the definition of “SmallSat” is changing as launch access improves and technology cycles accelerate.

This week SpaceNews is at the SmallSat Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss speaks with Tom Walkinshaw, founder and CEO of Alba Orbital, a Scotland-based manufacturer specializing in pocket-sized satellites known as PocketQubes. Their discussion covers the growth of the small satellite sector, trends in satellite miniaturization, challenges of launch and supply chains, and strategies for building reliable, commercially viable spacecraft.

This week SpaceNews is at the SmallSat Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss speaks with Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, Executive Chairman of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited and a professor at the Surrey Space Institute of the University of Surrey.They discuss the growth of the small satellite industry from its first meeting in 1987 of just a few dozen participants to today’s nearly 5,000 attendees, and preview the key issues the community will address at this year’s conference.

Join Owen Stephens, director at the Space Force, and Seth Lacy, an air mobility scientist, alongside Michael Creech and Israel Figueroa from Firefly Aerospace, as they dive into the exciting world of multi-mission orbital vehicles. They discuss how these agile spacecraft can reshape space operations, emphasizing the importance of innovations in propulsion and modular designs. Insights into the complexities of satellite servicing and the need for a collaborative approach in federal acquisition processes highlight how to efficiently navigate the evolving landscape of space technology and missions.

In a lively discussion, Jason Rainbow, a Senior Staff Writer and Business Intelligence Manager at SpaceNews, dives into the seismic shifts brought about by SpaceX in the space economy. He explores SpaceX's dominance in the launch market, emphasizing its innovative reusability and how it’s reshaping costs and competition. The conversation extends to the broader impacts on communications and geopolitics, examining how this evolution influences international trade. Rainbow also speculates on the future challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this fast-paced industry.

In this bonus edition of Space Minds, host David Ariosto moderates the panel "Mission to Market: The Evolution of CLPS" at the AIAA Ascend conference. The panelists include: - Tim Crain, Chief Technology Officer, Intuitive Machines- Tyler Mundt, Executive Vice President, Engineering, ispace US- Thierry Klein, President, Bell Labs Solutions Research, Nokia Bell Labs.