Space Strategy

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Kevin O'Connell, Founder and CEO of Space Economy Rising, and former Director of the Office of Space Commerce. They discuss the Kevin's time at Commerce, including the three types of entrepreneurs: the disruptors, the inventors, and the infrastructure builders. Kevin details the history and future of the Office of Space Commerce, and the appropriate roles for government within markets. They outline work to improve the methodology for measuring the space economy and the U.S. proportion of the broader $450 billion space economy, which enables >$5 Trillion in economic value to the U.S. They cover the various current and emerging space sectors, the problems and opportunities of proliferating satellite mega constellations, debris, space traffic management and active debris removal. They predict how reusability and On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Maintenance will change the economics of space. They detail the imperative to regulate at the speed of business, and how the U.S. may lose companies overseas if its regulation is too tight. They speak to the potential for the cislunar economy and the need for enabling infrastructure, resource exploration, and new services to better life on Earth. Next, they discuss space resources, asteroid mining, the Starship Singularity, and the challenge of China. Kevin outlines the need to energize the human capital talent base, and in general, that this is "a game of offense not defense" and that the U.S. needs to run faster. Finally, they close with a discussion on the possibility of space settlements, the role of U.S. states, a space agenda worthy of the nation, and what work remains undone and opportunities for the new administration's space council. Kevin O’Connell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-o-connell-092a684/ https://spaceeconomyrising.com/about Space Economy Rising: https://spaceeconomyrising.com/ Dept of Commerce Office of Space Commerce https://www.space.commerce.gov/ Efforts to Elevate Office: https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/house-appropriators-continue-to-reject-elevating-noaas-office-of-space-commerce-to-department-level/ State of the Space Industrial Base 2021 https://www.diu.mil/latest/state-of-the-space-industrial-base-2021

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Todd Harrison, Director of Defense Budget Analysis, Director of the Aerospace Security Project, and Senior Fellow with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS). They discuss the role of thinking tanks in helping policymakers ask the right questions, and what Todd sees as the most important question at present: How to improve protection of our critical space assets. Their talk focuses on the importance of space to our nation both militarily and economically. They cover the history and emergence of the Space Force and Todd's thoughts on a separate department and consolidation of the NRO. They discuss the changed orientation and priorities of the Biden administration and what major policy initiatives are left undone, including on norms, regulation and licensing. They assess the recent Chinese hypersonic and perhaps fractional orbital bombardment test, the contribution of a sensing layer to missile defense, the technical concerns with space-based missile defense. They close by speaking about Space Force Acquisition reform, and end with a discussion of a space agenda worthy of the nation. Todd: https://www.csis.org/people/todd-harrison https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-harrison-7832461/ CSIS: https://www.csis.org/ CSIS Aerospace: https://aerospace.csis.org/ CSIS Space Threat Assessment 2021 https://www.csis.org/analysis/space-threat-assessment-2021

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews General Steve "Bucky" Butow, Director of the Space Portfolio at the Defense Innovation Unit.  They discuss the recently released State of the Space Industrial Base Report 2021 and its findings, with particular emphasis on the commercial sector, its importance and needs. Gen. Steve Butow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-butow-32724a27/ https://www.diu.mil/team/Steven-Butow State of the Space Industrial Base 2021 https://www.diu.mil/latest/state-of-the-space-industrial-base-2021 Formal Release of Report at Atlantic Council https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/state-of-the-space-industrial-base-2021/ State of the Space Industrial Base 2020 https://cdn.afresearchlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/27223753/State-of-the-Space-Industrial-Base-2020-Report_July-2020_FINAL.pdf DIU Space https://www.diu.mil/solutions/portfolio#Space Multi-Orbit Logistics https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2020/02/05/the-pentagon-wants-a-roadside-assistance-service-in-space/ https://blog.executivebiz.com/2020/02/diu-seeks-vehicles-fuel-depots-for-space-logistics/ Outpost https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2020/07/16/defense-innovation-unit-issues-contract-for-unmanned-orbital-outpost/ http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=52649 Remote Sensing https://insidedefense.com/insider/diu-seeks-commercial-remote-sensing-technology Space Futures Workshop https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1101899.pdf

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews George Pullen, Chief Economist of Milky Way Economy, a Fifth Industrial Revolution think tank and boutique consultancy based in Washington, DC. They discuss alternate markets, the space industry, and the space economy—its size and how it is expected to grow to exceed $4T, and why it is important to US national security. They examine the coming 5th industrial revolution in space, including the expectation of 6-12 commercial space stations engaged in biotech and extreme high purity products, and eventually large-scale manufacturing and the use of space resources, including rare earths. They outline important roles for government to help create supporting infrastructure (including the 'guard rails' on transportation), ensure freedom of movement, establish international norms of behavior, and provide search and rescue functions. They put forward visions for settlement, and the increasing maturity of Space Solar Power. They discuss the Space Force and its need to balance its dual role to support the other terrestrial armed forces as well as to 'extend out. They consider the opportunity that a US-India partnership offers for the brightest future. Finally, they conclude discussing what is a space agenda worthy of the nation, and what it would take to get there. George Pullen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgepullen/ Milky Way Economy: https://www.milkywayeconomy.com/ The Space Economy Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR63DCdyLNLUYOlzbHoVxRA Book: Blockchain & The Space Economy https://www.milkywayeconomy.com/store https://www.amazon.com/Blockchain-Space-Economy-George-Pullen/dp/B084QMCCP5 Book: The Space Economy https://www.amazon.com/Space-Economy-Book-Zero/dp/1638778973

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews General John Olson from Headquarters Space Force. They discuss the new 2021 State of the Space Industrial Base Report and its findings and recommendations, including the hybrid space architecture, JADC2, space mobility and logistics, and the space super highway, and the need to build a Cislunar Econosphere and ensure its ecurity. They also cover the strong sense of urgency felt by the participants at this inflection point in history, and the need for a bold 'North Star' vision to unite all elements of national power to become a true spacefaring nation. Gen Olson: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/1732380/brigadier-general-john-m-olson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-olson-jo/ State of the Space Industrial Base 2021 https://www.diu.mil/latest/state-of-the-space-industrial-base-2021 Formal Release of Report at Atlantic Council https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/state-of-the-space-industrial-base-2021/  (Last Year's) State of the Space Industrial Base 2020 https://cdn.afresearchlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/27223753/State-of-the-Space-Industrial-Base-2020-Report_July-2020_FINAL.pdf US Space Force https://www.spaceforce.mil/ US Space Force Doctrine https://www.spaceforce.mil/Portals/1/Space%20Capstone%20Publication_10%20Aug%202020.pdf US Space Force CSO Planning Guidance https://media.defense.gov/2020/Nov/09/2002531998/-1/-1/0/CSO%20PLANNING%20GUIDANCE.PDF Space Futures Workshop https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1101899.pdf

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Tim Chrisman, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for the Future (F4F). They discuss the need for space infrastructure and logistics and associated financing. Tim describes the Foundation for the Future's Space Corporation concept, efforts by the Foundation to create a broader conversation about space infrastructure, as well as several big infrastructure ideas. They outline the challenge the US faces in China, and the critical role space will play in the determination of the future our children will live in. Finally, they cover what sort of space agenda is worthy of the nation, and how F4F is working with Congress to create a new arm to enable a brighter future and millions of new jobs. Tim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/space-tim/ Foundation for the Future: https://www.f4f.space/ The Space Corporation Act: https://www.f4f.space/space-act https://e83ae7c1-b7f1-4890-ba38-f2ae424e123e.filesusr.com/ugd/94f02a_a5e19d9f3a5b4becab138d9a747afabe.pdf Conversations for the Future: https://www.f4f.space/conversations Infrastructure for the Future: https://www.f4f.space/infrastructure

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Theresa Hitchens, space pundit, NATO and nuclear war expert, former UN diplomat, and now space reporter for Breaking Defense. They discuss her essay, "How ‘The Expanse’ Is A Cautionary Tale For Real World Space Commercialization," exploring its parallels to current commercial space development and regulation, and parallels to history. Next, they address the utility of science fiction to strategy, and why strategists should read scifi. They cover the benefits space brings to understanding our reality, to economic benefits today, to future economic benefits from space resources, the human need as a migratory species to expand and explore and to ensure survival. They outline the importance of sustaining space as a resource for human betterment; avoiding conflict that may be unnecessary over resources, dampening tensions and misunderstandings among nation states. Additionally, they detail the PRC's space weapons program and the utility of norms. They also discuss Space Force, 'warfighting,' military space doctrine, nuclear deterrence, SDI, norms and commercial regulation. Finally, they close by talking about opportunities before the National Space Council and Space Force / USSPACECOM leadership to address current problems as well as shape the far future. Theresa:   https://breakingdefense.com/2019/04/theresa-hitchens-joins-breaking-d-just-in-time-for-space-symposium/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-hitchens-2b0883107/ Theresa's Journalism at Breaking Defense: https://breakingdefense.com/author/thitchens/ To Boldly Go: https://www.casematepublishers.com/to-boldly-go.html#.YXbEmtnMLX0 Strategy Strikes Back https://www.amazon.com/Strategy-Strikes-Back-Explains-Military/dp/1640120335 Winning Westeros https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Westeros-Explains-Military-Conflict/dp/1640124810 UNIDIR https://unidir.org/ Forwarding Multilateral Space Governance: Next Steps https://cissm.umd.edu/research-impact/publications/forwarding-multilateral-space-governance-next-steps-international CISSM: https://cissm.umd.edu/ OST: https://www.unoosa.org/pdf/gares/ARES_21_2222E.pdf Chinese test of a FOB?:  https://breakingdefense.com/2021/10/questions-linger-over-chinas-reported-hypersonic-space-weapon-test/

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Dr. Scott Pace, Director of the Space Policy Institute at the George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs and former Deputy Assistant to the President and Executive Secretary of the National Space Council from 2017-2020. They discuss the criticality of broad and bipartisan consensus to sustainable space exploration and development. Next, follows a discussion on exploration policy, space as a warfighting domain, China, spacepower theory (Dolman’s Astropolitics vs Bowen’s Continental Seapower), arms control, the record of the National Space Council’s space policy directives, their rational and significance. The speakers cover the possible futures in space depending on whether we can live off the land and pay our own way leading to different analogies: settlements, ‘Everest’, ‘McMurdo’, and deep sea drilling platforms. They provide details about space property rights, development and industrialization, asteroid defense and how it is getting worked into the missions of the agencies such as NASA and DoD. Finally, they discuss opportunities available to the new administration and space council and define a space agenda worthy of our nation and its values. Dr. Pace: https://elliott.gwu.edu/scott-pace GWU Space Policy Institute https://spi.elliott.gwu.edu/ Report on National Space Council Activities https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Final-Report-on-the-Activities-of-the-National-Space-Council-01.15.21.pdf National Space Policy https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/memorandum-national-space-policy/ A New Vision for Deep Space Exploration and Development https://aerospace.org/sites/default/files/2020-07/NSpC%20New%20Era%20for%20Space%2023Jul20.pdf National Near Earth Object Strategy and Action Plan https://aerospace.csis.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/OSTP-NEO-Strategy-Action-Plan-Jun18.pdf Spacepower Doctrine https://www.spaceforce.mil/Portals/1/Space%20Capstone%20Publication_10%20Aug%202020.pdf Artemis Accords https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-accords/index.html Collected Space Space Policy Directives https://www.spacefoundation.org/space_brief/space-policy-directives/

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Col. Eric Felt, Director of Air Force Research Lab Space Vehicles Directorate--The Space Force's Lab. Col. felt provides an overview of the role of the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), Space Vehicles, its size, budget, and relation to the Space Force. They discuss how AFRL cooperates with funding agencies and partner agencies (SDA, Space RCO, AF RCO, SSC, DARPA, DIU) as well as with the commercial sector. Next, they dive into AFRL's past successes such as DSX, Eagle/Mycroft and their impact on deterrence, as well as current experiments such as NTS-3, SPIDER, and CHPS. Then the focus shifts to a discussion on how the Space Force is considering an exciting future of Cislunar commerce, the possibility of space mining, power beaming, settlements and on-orbit servicing, assembly and maintenance (OSAM), and future roles and missions including the defense of commerce, planetary defense, search and rescue which might arise. They provide a definition for the meaning of "warfighting" and how it forms a lens for investment to ensure deterrence. Finally the close with a discussion on the working culture of both Space Force and AFRL, and the "opportunity to shape the opportunity." Col Felt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-felt-bb686316/ Space Force (and Recruiting): https://www.spaceforce.mil/ https://www.airforce.com/spaceforce?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkYnvmazH8AIVmonICh2ngAXHEAAYASAAEgIULPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds AFRL (and Recruiting): https://afresearchlab.com/ https://afresearchlab.com/careers-and-opportunities/career-employment/ "One Lab Two Services": https://afresearchlab.com/technology/space Space Vehicles: https://www.afrl.af.mil/RV/ https://afresearchlab.com/technology/space Primer for S&T: https://sgp.fas.org/crs/natsec/IF10553.pdf https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10553 Space Technology Funding: https://www.afpc.org/uploads/documents/Defense_Technology_Briefing_-_Issue_23.pdf NTS-3: https://afresearchlab.com/technology/space-vehicles/successstories/nts-3 DSX: https://afresearchlab.com/technology/space-vehicles/successstories/demonstration-and-science-experiments-dsx-satellite-2/ Eagle/Mycroft: https://afresearchlab.com/technology/space-vehicles/eagle/ https://afresearchlab.com/technology/space-vehicles/mycroft/

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Tyler Bates, a Captain in the USSF about his article in The Space Force Journal about Cislunar Mission Concepts for the Department of Defense.  They discuss the strategic importance of the Moon, China's activities, and potential U.S. Space Force roles in enabling and securing commerce.  They delve into specific mission concepts of satellite communication, precision navigation and timing, space domain awareness, Lunar surface awareness, as well as deep space search and rescue and planetary defense. They also cover how Tyler got interested in Cislunar, what made him join the Space Force, what it is like to be a guardian, and how the Space Force's culture is evolving. Tyler Bates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-bates-9770b21b6/  Tyler's Article: https://thespaceforcejournal.com/issue-2-7-cislunar The Space Force Journal:  https://thespaceforcejournal.com/ Space Capstone Publication: Spacepower: https://www.spaceforce.mil/Portals/1/Space%20Capstone%20Publication_10%20Aug%202020.pdf The Guardian Ideal https://media.defense.gov/2021/Sep/21/2002858512/-1/-1/1/GUARDIAN%20IDEAL%20-%20FINAL.PDF A Primer on Cislunar Space: https://www.afrl.af.mil/Portals/90/Documents/RV/A%20Primer%20on%20Cislunar%20Space_Dist%20A_PA2021-1271.pdf?ver=vs6e0sE4PuJ51QC-15DEfg%3D%3D   Artemis Accords:  https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-accords/index.html Artemis Program:  https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/ China in Space: A Strategic Competition?:  https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Namrata%20Goswami%20USCC%2025%20April.pdf  Gray Zone Project:  https://www.csis.org/grayzone Planetary Defense White Paper: https://assets.pubpub.org/ylzrdc5n/41617915537633.pdf China International Lunar Research Station: http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465652/n6465653/c6812150/content.html NASA-USSF MOU:  https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nasa_ussf_mou_21_sep_20.pdf NASA Nuclear Thermal: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-nuclear-thermal-propulsion-reactor-concept-awards DARPA DRACO: https://www.darpa.mil/program/demonstration-rocket-for-agile-cislunar-operations