Space Strategy

In this episode Peter Garretson talks with science fiction author Daniel Suarez about his latest novel Critical Mass, which depicts humanity’s transition from a climate-imperiled, Earthbound civilization to one that utilizes the resources and energy from deep space to secure a promising, sustainable future. They discuss what it means to be a spacefaring civilization, what is the value proposition for developing Cislunar, the new Space Race, what will be the determinants of spacepower both soft & hard, and what ought to be our national priorities. Daniel is clear that, “They [China] have basically declared that they want to have a space race with us. I say we take them up on it” and that “We need to get busy, and we really need to be focused on outcomes,” that “We Need an Apollo Level of Urgency,” and “And if that space race can inspire us to get busy and get moving well, then good. Then it and it's going to have a good catalyzing effect.” They analyze what the Space Force should assume about Cislunar, space resources, humans in space, and requirements for guardians in space. They delve into what the new capabilities mean for competitive endurance and a theory of success, and the opportunities afforded by space mobility and logistics. They explore the concept of space infrastructure, and the criticality of on-orbit mass for spacepower advantage. They assess how the scenario in his latest book ought to give the USSF pause, “And if this scenario gives them [USSF] nightmares…then, hopefully, that will urge some action.”  They touch on cryptocurrency in space, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and the space commodities exchange. They cover Asteroid Mining, Solar Power Satellites to Mass Drivers, to Lunar Cyclers, Spin-Gravity Space Stations—and enabling U.S. policy. They discuss the utility of Science Fiction as ‘cost-effective prototyping the future’, the utility of narrative, and the constraint that ‘you can’t build something until you can imagine it.’ They close by examining the future roles and missions for the Space Force in a developing Cislunar economy in the context of the technology in his novels DeltaV and Critical Mass.

In this episode Peter Garretson talks with Dr. Kurt "Spuds" Vogel, NASA Director of Space Architectures, about NASA's Moon to Mars Objectives and NASA's just-released Blueprint for Sustained Human Presence and exploration throughout the Solar System. They discuss the NASA organization, the difference between an objective vs capabilities based approach, what it means to 'architect from the right and execute from the left, the significance of the objectives, and the collaborative process to get there. They outline how the plan seeks to be robust across administrations and alternate budget futures. They close by focusing on the significance of objectives for science, applied science, science enabling, and infrastructure objectives, and in particular the step-change of including a 'robust Cislunar economy' and an explicit NASA goal to enable 'Commerce and Space Development' by deliberately fostering 'the expansion of the economic sphere beyond Earth orbit to support U.S. industry and innovation.'

In this episode, Peter Garretson hosts Dr. Avi Loeb, Director of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics’ Institute for Theory and Computation, head of the Galileo Project, and Chair of the Breakthrough Starshot Initiative Advisory Committee. They discuss recent discoveries of extraterrestrial objects (Oumuamua, Comet Borisov, and 2 meteors). Avi provides insights into the big ideas in his book Extraterrestrial, including the hypothesis that Oumuamua might be a lightsail from an alien civilization. Interestingly, Avi’s team is trying to create one via the Breakthrough StarshotInitiative–Avi hopes to achieve 10% the speed of light with a laser-lightsail carrying a Starchip to get to our closest neighbor star Proxima Centauri. They address the story of the 2014 meteor, journal rejection, as well as, the story behind the USSPACECOM release of the data on the extraterrestrial meteor, and Avi’s plans to recover it. They cover Avi’s recent paper, ‘PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS ON UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENA’ for the Pentagon’s AARO, the controversial headline it created (‘Pentagon UFO chief says alien mothership in our solar system possible’), and why the subject of UAP’s or extraterrestrial civilization is a puzzlingly taboo subject in the science community despite significant public and government interests. They consider UAP’s, and the efforts of Project Galileoto capture anomalous signatures, and what sort of funding would be required to deploy at scale. They review the White House tasking to DoD for Planetary Defense, and the utility of looking for extraterrestrial signatures as part of an in-space Space Domain Awareness (SDA) sensor architecture. Finally, they question what potential discoveries might arise from attempting to test the extraterrestrial hypothesis, a long-term vision for the preservation of humanity and its values and seeding the galaxy with life and intelligence, as well as short-term opportunities for policy to align government (and perhaps even USSF) funding on extraterrestrial objects, SETI, and UAP with public interests.

In this episode, Senior Fellow Peter Garretson interviews Lieutenant General John E. Shaw, Deputy Commander of United States Space Command (USSPACECOM). They begin by explaining the role and responsibilities of USSPACECOM. They examine Gen. Shaw's new article, Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Space as a Military Area of Responsibilities (AOR), including its key propositions: the importance of Earth; the insufficiency of the term "global"; the need to re-imagine strategic terrain (upwell, downwell, cislunar); and the importance of the AOR to everyone. They detail the role of a COCOM in peace and in war. Next, they discuss the utility of a naval / maritime analogy for Spacepower, and the potential new missions. They touch on Gen. Shaw's book, Whither Space Power, and where it has proved prescient. They outline interagency challenges ahead such as rescue of space tourists and deflecting asteroids—including a recent NASA-FEMA-USSF-USSPACEOM tabletop exercise (TTX). Finally, they conclude with a vision of humanity's future in space if we play our cards right, and an invitation to young people to join the adventure through service in the United States Space Force. About Gen. John Shaw: https://www.spacecom.mil/Leaders/Bio/Article/2433977/lt-gen-john-e-shaw/ USSPACECOM: https://www.spacecom.mil/ Article: Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/AEtherJournal/Journals/Volume-1_Issue-1/06-Shaw.pdf Book: Whither Space Power https://media.defense.gov/2017/May/05/2001742912/-1/-1/0/FP_0008_WORDEN_SHAW_WHITHER_SPACE_POWER.PDF USSPACECOM Posture Statement https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/USSPACECOM%20FY23%20Posture%20Statement%20SASC%20FINAL.pdf https://www.spacecom.mil/Testimony/ Planetary Defense TTX: https://www.jhuapl.edu/NewsStory/220310c-planetary-defense-exercise https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/pd/cs/ttx22/ Gen. Shaw Presenting on Planetary Defense at Space Symposium: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7137185/usspacecom-deputy-presents-planetary-defense-37th-annual-space-symposium Gen. Shaw Wired Interview https://www.wired.com/story/space-commands-lt-gen-john-shaw-on-the-future-of-space-security/ Gen. Shaw OpEd  https://spacenews.com/op-ed-the-u-s-space-force-must-be-independent-but-not-insular/

In this episode, Senior Fellow Peter Garretson interviews best-selling author Howard Bloom and founder of the Space Development Steering Committee. They discuss fundamental motivations for developing and settling space—humanity's destiny—and the roles that NASA and the Space Force are called to play to support that purpose. They focus on how to balance near-term threats and priorities vs. the power of Cislunar to determine the future. Howard discusses the opportunity cost of the current expandable architecture, and the possibilities suggested by reusable systems like a SpaceX’s Starship. He ends with an urgent plea to the Administration to get Starship flying without delay. About Howard: https://www.howardbloom.net/about-howard-bloom/ Screw Sustainability https://lifeboat.com/ex/screw.sustainability China Silk Road vs America's Platinum Highway in the Sky https://theentrepreneurmagazine.com/2021/03/19/chinas-new-silk-road-vs-americas-platinum-highway-in-the-sky-by-howard-bloom/ https://othjournal.com/2018/09/24/chinas-new-silk-road-vs-americas-platinum-highway-in-the-sky/ Garden the Solar System - Green the Galaxy https://kiss.caltech.edu/workshops/adaptive/presentations/Garden%20the%20solar%20system-Green%20the%20Galaxy%204-23-2014.pdf https://vimeo.com/67413529 Humanity's Destiny https://pjmedia.com/culture/david-swindle/2013/06/17/humanitys-destiny-howard-bloom-garden-the-solar-system-green-the-galaxy-n145825 Howard's Books and Articles https://www.howardbloom.net/ The Space Development Steering Committee http://spacedevelopmentsteeringcommittee.org/ The 2 billion dollar Moon Prize https://www.newsweek.com/one-small-step-toward-2-billion-moon-prize-opinion-1476945 https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/19/newt-gingrich-michael-jackson-moon-1466853 The Howard Bloom Institute https://howardbloom.institute/

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Dennis Wingo, CEO of SkyCorp, Inc. and author of Moonrush. They discuss the strategic rationale for space development and industrialization, the strategic importance of the Moon, the grand strategy consequences of failure, and the proper division of labor between government and the private sector. Dennis lays out a vision for Lunar development, and concrete policy steps to mobilize private capital and accelerate Lunar industrial development. Dennis Wingo: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skycorp-incorporated?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-company NDU Towards A Theory of Spacepower (see Chapter 8): https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Portals/68/Documents/Books/spacepower.pdf Moonrush: https://www.amazon.com/Moonrush-Improving-Earth-Resources-Apogee/dp/1894959108 The Early Path Not Taken:   https://denniswingo.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/the-early-space-age-the-path-not-taken-then-but-now/ https://denniswingo.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/the-early-space-age-the-path-not-taken-then-but-now-part-ii/ The Lunar Industrial Facilty: https://denniswingo.wordpress.com/2017/07/31/the-lunar-industrial-facility-and-orbital-shipyards-how-to-get-there/ Dr. John Lewis' Mining the Sky https://www.amazon.com/Mining-Sky-Untold-Asteroids-Planets/dp/0201328194 Dr. Paul Spudis The Value of the Moon https://www.amazon.com/Value-Moon-Explore-Prosper-Resources/dp/1588345033 Skycorp: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skycorp-incorporated?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-company https://www.skycorpinc.com/

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Henry Sokolski, Executive Director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, about their recent China-U.S. wargame. They discuss the impetus for the game, who was involved, the force structure, how the game unfolded, the surprises, and the key takeaways. Key takeaways included the need for bodyguard satellites, 'self-executing' norms that allow self-defense, the emerging importance of orbits above GEO and in Cislunar, the space domain awareness required to keep track of dual-use servicing assets, the need to work and share with allies, and to engage South Korea on space cooperation. Henry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-sokolski-3b5409ab https://npolicy.org/leadership-staff/henry-d-sokolski/ NPEC: https://npolicy.org/mission/ @NuclearPolicy A China-US war in space: The after-action report https://thebulletin.org/premium/2022-01/a-china-us-war-in-space-the-after-action-report/ https://npolicy.org/china-waging-war-in-space-an-after-action-report-occasional-paper-2104/ https://npolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2104-China-Space-Wargame-Report.pdf What a space war might look like Circa 2030: https://npolicy.org/article_file/What_War_In_Space_Might_Look_Like_In_The_Next_One_To_Two_Decades.pdf Why Cislunar Is Important and Hard: https://www.afrl.af.mil/Portals/90/Documents/RV/A%20Primer%20on%20Cislunar%20Space_Dist%20A_PA2021-1271.pdf?ver=vs6e0sE4PuJ51QC-15DEfg%3D%3D https://spaceforcejournal.org/posturing-space-forces-for-operations-beyond-geo/ Federalist Papers on Public Debate: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-10-02-0178

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Jean-Jacques Tortora, Director of the European Space Policy Institute in Vienna.  They talk about European space policy, the organization and roles of the European Space Agency (ESA), European Commission (EC), NATO, and member states. They discuss changes in how Europe is thinking about the security dimension of space. They also cover European perspectives on natural and man-made threats (Near Earth Objects, Solar Flares, Debris, Congested Traffic, ASATs), and a vision for global governance in space. They discuss the Russian ASAT test, change in NATO posture, French Defense Space Strategy, China & Russia's International Lunar Research Station, the Artemis program, Artemis Accords, a vision for space commerce, and opportunities for U.S.-European space cooperation. Jean-Jacques: https://www.iafastro.org/biographie/jean-jacques-tortora.html https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-jacques-tortora-3b32645a/ ESA: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/ESA_facts#:~:text=Us%20%2F%20Corporate%20news-,The%20European%20Space%20Agency%20(ESA)%20is%20Europe's%20gateway%20to%20space,organisation%20with%2022%20Member%20States. EU Space Policy Web Page: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-space-programme/ European Space Strategy: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/ESA_and_the_European_Union_adopt_a_common_strategy_for_space https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/eu-space-strategy-2021 https://espi.or.at/publications/espi-public-reports/send/2-public-espi-reports/549-european-space-strategy-in-a-global-context-executive-summary NATO: Space as an Operational Domain https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_175419.htm NATO’s Overarching Space Policy :"Such attacks could lead to the invocation of Article 5. A decision as to when such attacks would lead to the invocation of Article 5 would be taken by the North Atlantic Council on a case-by-case basis"https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_190862.htm French Defense Space Strategy: https://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/layout/set/print/content/download/574375/9839912/version/5/file/Space+Defence+Strategy+2019_France.pdf UK Proposal: https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/C.1/75/L.45/Rev.1 https://www.orfonline.org/research/assessing-the-british-proposal-on-space-security/

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Wayne White, author of the Space Pioneer Act. They discuss the utility of real property rights in space, consistence with the Outer Space Treaty, and how national legislation can help set norms and enable U.S. leadership. They outline the contents of the Space Pioneer act and the next steps for the draft legislation. Wayne White: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynenwhite/ https://independent.academia.edu/WhiteWayne Space Pioneer Act (Full Act): https://www.academia.edu/45290412/The_Space_Pioneer_Act Space Pioneer Act (FAQ): https://www.academia.edu/49138575/The_Space_Pioneer_Act_Frequently_Asked_Questions Space Pioneer Act (Outline Only): https://www.academia.edu/49138580/The_Space_Pioneer_Act_Outline Real Property Rights in Space: http://www.space-settlement-institute.org/Articles/research_library/WayneWhite98-2.pdf https://www.academia.edu/9176166/Real_Property_Rights_in_Outer_Space_unpublished_long_version_1985 Salvage Law for Outer Space: https://www.academia.edu/6983159/Salvage_Law_for_Outer_Space National Space Society (About): https://space.nss.org/nss-statement-of-philosophy/ NSS Space Settlement Library: https://space.nss.org/space-settlement-library/

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Dean Cheng, a Senior Research Fellow with the Heritage Foundation on Chinese political and security affairs. They discuss modern China, whether it is a peer or near-peer, whether it is totalitarian or a dictatorship, what are its national interests, and how the regime thinks about space. They examine China's global and space ambitions, the reasons for its behavior and adversarial stand, its Lunar, Mars, Space station and anti-satellite and orbital hypersonic program and its capabilities, its military reorganization, whether it can innovate and what policymakers and the Space Force must do in response. Dean Cheng: https://www.heritage.org/staff/dean-cheng https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-cheng-b340221 Cyber Dragon: Inside China's Information Warfare and Cyber Operations https://www.amazon.com/dp/1440835640/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_JWEQ8803R313FX73EJ1X Lawfare https://www.heritage.org/asia/report/winning-without-fighting-chinese-legal-warfare