Space Minds

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 Kari Bingen, senior fellow at the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She sits down with Chief Content and Strategy Officer Mike Gruss, to break down the latest news and insights from the Symposium focusing on defense.

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 Clay Mowry, CEO, AIAA. He sits down with Chief Content and Strategy Officer Mike Gruss, to break down the latest news and insights from the Symposium.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/

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 Krystal Azelton, Senior Director of Program Planning at Secure World Foundation. She sits down with Chief Content and Strategy Officer Mike Gruss, to break down the latest news and insights from the Symposium.

In this week's episode of Space Minds, Luca Rossettini, Founder and CEO of D-Orbit sits down with host David Ariosto. The conversation starts with Luca's journey from aspiring astronaut to space industry entrepreneur. Luca recounts his experience working at NASA Ames, his near-success in becoming an astronaut in Europe, and his subsequent decision to build D-Orbit. He outlines the company’s mission to develop a logistics infrastructure capable of transporting goods, people, information, and energy between Earth, Mars, the asteroid belt, and the Moon. Luca also highlights D-Orbit's accomplishments, including completing 19 successful space missions and deploying over 180 payloads using their cargo vehicles.Luca delves into the company's broader vision of a circular economy in space, where instead of clearing debris, they aim to recycle and repurpose it. He explains that D-Orbit’s strategic roadmap is divided into steps, each targeting a specific market while building towards the ultimate goal of sustainable space infrastructure. He emphasizes the importance of sustainability and views space debris as a valuable resource that can be recycled and used to construct satellites and other assets directly in orbit. Additionally, he describes the company’s role in testing new technologies in space, ranging from AI systems to quantum payloads.Luca also discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving space economy, noting that D-Orbit operates across commercial, institutional, and defense sectors.Space Minds Podcasthttps://spacenews.com/space-minds-podcast/

In this week's episode of Space Minds, Sara Alvarado, Executive Director for the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space, known as SEDS, sits down with host David Ariosto.In this conversation, Alvarado, shares insights on her organization’s role in nurturing the next generation of space professionals. She highlights the student-led nature of SEDS, which supports innovative collegiate projects such as reusable rocketry and CubeSat missions.Alvarado emphasizes the importance of community outreach, including programs where university students mentor younger students, enabling middle and high schoolers to engage directly with space technology. She also touches on her personal journey—from growing up in Colombia with limited access to space programs to leveraging her background in economics to lead SEDS and promote inclusivity in the space industry.The discussion also explores broader challenges in STEM education and diversity within the space sector. She notes the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration, showcasing how fields like finance and healthcare are becoming more integrated into the space economy.

In this week's episode of Space Minds, Richard DalBello, Principal, RDB Space and the recently retired Director of the Office of Space Commerce sits down with host David Ariosto.Our conversation with Richard DalBello primarily explores the evolution of space commercialization and the role of government and private sectors in shaping the industry's trajectory. DalBello, having worked across multiple U.S. administrations, provides historical context on how space commerce transitioned from a niche concept in the Reagan era to a major force in modern space activities. DalBello discusses key turning points, such as the shift towards commercial space partnerships under the Bush and Obama administrations, as well as the critical role of companies like SpaceX in proving the viability of reusable rockets and commercial crew transport. The discussion also touches on the increasing reliance of NASA and the Department of Defense on private space firms, emphasizing the growing intersection between national security interests and commercial space developments.Additionally, our conversation addresses the challenges of global space governance, particularly in the context of satellite congestion, data sharing, and the need for international cooperation. DalBello highlights the complexities of establishing regulatory frameworks, especially given the diverse approaches of major space players. He underscores the importance of setting global standards to ensure safe and sustainable space operations, while also acknowledging the difficulties of achieving political and commercial consensus.Our conversation closes with concerns about future policy directions, potential economic pressures on the space sector, and the uncertainties surrounding global alliances and their impact on space commerce.

In this week's episode of Space Minds, Dan Smoot, CEO of Maxar Intelligence sits down with host David Ariosto.Our conversation with Dan Smoot delves into the capabilities and significance of geospatial intelligence, particularly as leveraged by his company, Maxar. Smoot explains how advanced satellite imaging provides crucial insights for national security, disaster response, and commercial applications. He highlights how Maxar's satellite imagery played a key role in tracking military movements, such as Russian deployments near Ukraine, and in aiding emergency response efforts like the Palisades fires in Los Angeles. Our conversation also touches on how AI and data processing technologies enable rapid decision-making, shifting intelligence analysis from weeks-long assessments to near real-time insights.Our conversation also explores the broader implications of geospatial intelligence, including its role in commercial sectors and urban planning. Smoot emphasizes the increasing importance of 3D mapping and real-time data processing, facilitated by partnerships with major cloud computing providers. He also addresses ethical considerations, such as privacy concerns and regulatory compliance, ensuring that technology is used responsibly. Our conversation concludes with reflections on Smoot’s background in technology and his enthusiasm for space exploration, underscoring how advancements in geospatial intelligence are shaping industries and geopolitical strategies in unprecedented ways.

In this week's episode of Space Minds, Tony Bruno, CEO of United Launch Alliance, sits down with host Mike Gruss. What excites Tony Bruno about Vulcan, what scares him about China, and what ranching has taught him about space.The conversation with Bruno focuses on the development of the Vulcan rocket and its strategic importance. Bruno recounts the initial decision to move away from Russian RD-180 engines due to geopolitical concerns, the challenges of selecting a new engine, and the importance of designing Vulcan for high-energy orbit missions to address future national security needs. Bruno discusses the evolving space defense landscape, the role of agile development, and the necessity for maneuverability in space. Bruno also shares insights into the broader space industry, the role of large defense contractors, and the increasing urgency of space capabilities in response to geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning China and Taiwan. Additionally, he highlights his personal motivations for writing about space and defense topics and the importance of humanizing the space industry.

In this week's episode of Space Minds, meet Mars Society president Robert Zubrin, who reflects on his lifelong fascination with Mars, the nature of future martian settlements, and humanity's fate as a multiplanetary species.And don't miss our co-hosts Space Take on important stories before we close the Space Loop this week with trivia and feedback from you.

In this week's episode of Space Minds meet Lee Rosen who reflects on his SpaceX tenure, co-founding ThinkOrbital and where the industry is headed.Rosen discussed his pivotal interactions with Elon Musk at Cape Canaveral in 2010, which shaped his career and SpaceX's vision. He highlighted the challenges of convincing military officials about reusable rocketry, citing the successful land landing on December 21, 2015. He also emphasized SpaceX's ethos of overcoming constraints through innovative solutions.The second part of our conversation focused ThinkOrbital's advancements as a space infrastructure company, including electron beam welding and X-ray technology for satellite inspection, which could enhance geopolitical transparency and anomaly resolution.And don't miss our co-hosts Space Take on important stories before we close the Space Loop this week with trivia and feedback from you.