Space Strategy

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Dr. Bhavya Lal, senior advisor to the NASA Administrator on Budget and Finance. They discuss NASA's Artemis Lunar Program, the Chinese Space Program and Commercial Sector, why the Moon and human presence is important, the promise of nuclear power and propulsion, and NASA's relevance to the Climate Change task force. They examine the soft-power implications of sustained presence and how leadership translates into benefits that accrue to the first-mover. They consider how NASA is fulfilling its charter to maximize commercial participation through investments in space commercialization, space industrialization, the scale of space resources, in-situ resource utilization and on-orbit servicing assembly and maintenance (OSAM), public-private-partnerships, and the role of government in building a vibrant commercial sector. They review whole-of-nation tie-ins to Artemis, including DOE, USGS, and cooperation memos with USSPACECOM and USSF. They cover the key technologies the US must advance for a spacefaring future of development and settlement. They examine NASA's role in planetary defense and resource mapping. They discuss NASA's charter to " to the maximum extent possible, the fullest commercial use of space." They conclude with the actions necessary for America to sustain its leadership. Bhavya Lal: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/bhavya-lal-senior-advisor-for-budget-and-finance/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavya-lal-520b45b/ Artemis: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/ CLPS: Commercial Lunar Payload System: https://www.nasa.gov/content/commercial-lunar-payload-services-overview Space Policy Directive 1: ‘‘Lead an innovative and sustainable program of exploration with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system and to bring back to Earth new knowledge and opportunities. Beginning with missions beyond low-Earth orbit, the United States will lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization, followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations; https://fas.org/irp/offdocs/nspm/spd-1.pdf NASA Charter: "(c) The Congress declares that the general welfare of the United States requires that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (as established by title II of this Act) seek and encourage, to the maximum extent possible, the fullest commercial use of space" AND "the United States is committed to maintaining world leadership in space transportation; making the Space Transportation System fully operational and cost effective in providing routine access to space will maximize the national economic benefits of the system" https://history.nasa.gov/spaceact-legishistory.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

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Mandy Vaughn, founder and CEO of GXO, and former CEO of VOX Space. They discuss the return of the National Space Council with its new Secretary, Chirag Parikh, and Vice President Kamala Harris, the User's Advisory Group, and continuities that will likely remain a priority. They also highlight the recent State of the Space Industrial Base event. Mandy describes a broad vision for space economic development involving private spaceflight, in-space logistics, and in-space manufacturing. Mandy discusses the challenges brought by lowered cost of access and the global competitiveness challenges associated with the 'rise of the rest.'  They discuss the implications of seeing space as critical infrastructure, the need for a 'Northstar Vision' (and how to socialize it for bi-partisan sustainment), the need for STEM builders to enable scale, and how to knit together international partnerships. They end by discussing a number of potential topics ripe for consideration as executive orders, the urgent need for action...and whether we are persuaded to act. Mandy Vaughn: https://www.gxoinc.com/about https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-vaughn-1b830b81/ GXO: https://www.gxoinc.com/ State of the Space Industrial Base 2021 EVENT: https://newspacenm.org/state-of-space-agenda State of the Space Industrial Base 2020 Report: http://aerospace.csis.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/State-of-the-Space-Industrial-Base-2020-Report_July-2020_FINAL.pdf National Space Council User's Advisory Group: https://www.nasa.gov/content/national-space-council-users-advisory-group https://aerospace.org/sites/default/files/policy_archives/NSpC%20Users%20Advisory%20Group%20Charter%206Dec17.pdf Virgin Galactic Launch: https://www.space.com/virgin-galactic-richard-branson-unity-22-launch-explained Blue Origin Launch: https://www.space.com/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-first-astronaut-launch Inspiration 4:  https://inspiration4.com/ Activities of Last Space Council: https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Final-Report-on-the-Activities-of-the-National-Space-Council-01.15.21.pdf A New Vision for Deep Space Exploration and Development: https://fas.org/spp/eprint/new-era-2020.pdf VOX Space: https://voxspace.com/ https://www.losangeles.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2678519/united-states-space-force-successfully-launches-4-satellites-from-vox-space-747/

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Victoria Samson, Washington Office Director for Secure World Foundation.  They discuss 'space sustainability,' The Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS), the problem of space debris, the construction of international norms through unilateral precedent, bilateral and multilateral fora, the Artemis Accords, arms control theory, the status global counter-space and anti-satellite weapons, classification issues, space traffic management, Space Force roles and missions, and a positive agenda for international cooperation and space norms. Victoria Samson: https://swfound.org/about-us/our-team/victoria-samson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-samson-6338aa13/ SWF: https://swfound.org/about-us/who-we-are/ CONFERS: https://www.satelliteconfers.org/ https://www.satelliteconfers.org/publications/ Artemis Accords: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-accords/index.html https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-international-partners-advance-cooperation-with-first-signings-of-artemis-accords SWF counterspace threat report: www.swfound.org/counterspace CSIS counterspace threat report: https://www.csis.org/analysis/space-threat-assessment-2021 Aerospace report on norms: https://aerospace.org/sites/default/files/2021-07/Dickey_BuildingNormentum_20210706.pdf Ploughshares report on norms: https://ploughshares.ca/pl_publications/report-from-safety-to-security-extending-outer-space-norms/ https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PEA887-2.html SWF Biden administration briefing book: https://swfound.org/media/207084/swf_space_policy_issue_briefing_2020_web.pdf SWF's Handbook for new actors in space: www.swfound.org/handbook International Code of Conduct (ICOC): https://eeas.europa.eu/archives/docs/non-proliferation-and-disarmament/pdf/space_code_conduct_draft_vers_31-march-2014_en.pdf

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Bill Bruner, CEO and co-founder of New Frontier Frontier Aerospace.  They discuss New Frontier Aerospace's vision of a reusable rocket-based mach-8 hypersonic suborbital cargo system. The discussion covers the Space Force doctrine, X-15, DC-X, seams in air and space power projection, Space Tourism's recent successes with Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, equity concerns with billionaire rocket programs and their answer, Space Force's Rocket Cargo program, China's hypersonic program, the movement and settlement of space, commercial roles, the drive of commercial space to make humanity multiplanetary, advanced space propulsion, and next steps for U.S. space policy. Bill Bruner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-bruner-490b098 https://dbb.defense.gov/Members/Bill-Bruner/ New Frontier Aerospace https://www.nfaero.com/ National Security Implications of Inexpensive Space Access https://fas.org/spp/eprint/bruner.htm FAST Space Study https://www.thespacereview.com/article/3193/1 https://www.maxwell.af.mil/News/Display/Article/2384716/acsc-schriever-space-scholars-expands-to-meet-demand-for-space-studies/ Rocket Cargo: https://www.afrl.af.mil/News/Article/2646782/department-of-the-air-force-announces-fourth-vanguard-program/ https://www.airforcemag.com/rocket-cargo-air-force-fourth-vanguard/ https://www.defensedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/post_attachment/157919.pdf Chinese Hypersonics (airbreathing): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzNhrUQ_Qls Al Globus' High Frontier: An Easier Way https://www.amazon.com/High-Frontier-Easier-Way-ebook/dp/B07FYWM41W NASA Nuclear Thermal: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-nuclear-thermal-propulsion-reactor-concept-awards DARPA Nuclear Thermal: https://www.darpa.mil/program/demonstration-rocket-for-agile-cislunar-operations Dusty Plasma Fission Fragment Rocket Engine: https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/718391main_Werka_2011_PhI_FFRE.pdf X-15 https://www.nasa.gov/specials/60th/x-15/ DC-X https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/dc-x-the-nasa-rocket-that-inspired-spacex-and-blue-origin AFWERX https://afwerx.com/

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Dr. M.V. "Coyote" Smith, a leading intellectual father of the Space Force, spacepower advocate, and professor of strategic studies at the Department of Spacepower's Schriever Scholars, where he educates America's Future Space Strategists. They discuss the Schriever Scholars Strategy Seminar, the increasing strategic importance of space, and space as a domain of commerce. They explore the needs and rationale for the Space Force and the continued need to drive toward full departmental independence. Dr. Smith provides an overview of spacepower theory and book recommendations for those interested in spacepower. They also touch on advanced propulsion, active debris removal, space solar power and planetary defense. They examine the value of bold, risk-taking leadership, and its role in innovative thought such as the NSSO Space Solar Power report and Fast Space Report. Finally, they outline the expanded roles and mission, actions available to the Administration and Congress, and the long-term mission of the Space Force. Coyote: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-v-coyote-smith-057b99210/ The Grand Vision: https://www.thespacereview.com/article/3099/1 America Needs a Space Corps https://www.thespacereview.com/article/3193/1 Avoiding the Dragon's Trap (national debt & space resources https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/19/usa-nasa-smith-328987 http://www.newspacechicago.com/2021/03/01/event-mar-16-2021-avoiding-the-dragons-trap/ Schriever Scholars https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/ACSC/Display/Article/1688390/schriever-scholars-program/ https://www.dvidshub.net/video/671597/schriever-scholars-program https://www.maxwell.af.mil/News/Display/Article/2384716/acsc-schriever-space-scholars-expands-to-meet-demand-for-space-studies/ Space Solar Power Study https://space.nss.org/wp-content/uploads/Space-Based-Solar-Power-Opportunity-for-Strategic-Security-assessment.pdf SSPIDR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKKtrWTDusA SSP Library https://space.nss.org/space-solar-power-library/ FAST Space Study https://www.thespacereview.com/article/3193/1 https://www.maxwell.af.mil/News/Display/Article/2384716/acsc-schriever-space-scholars-expands-to-meet-demand-for-space-studies/ Billion Year Plan https://www.kurzweilai.net/what-our-civilization-needs-is-a-billion-year-plan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGAq2SX1Kcg AFRL's new 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 Rocket Cargo: https://www.airforcemag.com/rocket-cargo-air-force-fourth-vanguard/ https://www.defensedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/post_attachment/157919.pdf

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews General James Cartwright, Harold Brown Chair in Defense Policy Studies for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, former commander of USSTRATCOM, and former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They discuss the Atlantic Council's The Future of Security in Space report, and why a 30-year vision and strategy is a necessity. They also touch on the massive shifts in scale and focus, and the movement from discovery-centric to commerce-centric approaches and architectures, and the role policy and the military can play to promote a rules-based order. They explore the necessity of taking a Cislunar approach, and the posture necessary to leverage the private sector to remain competitive. They examine re-usable space logistics architectures including rocket cargo, and the imperative for the Secretary of the Air Force to work the seam between Air and Space to make sure requirements allow interoperability and transit between the two domains. They assess who has agency in the Joint Requirements System to build the architecture of tomorrow. Gen Cartwright provides insights on how USSPACECOM will be a supported domain and how space is unique and different because of our reliance on machines and eventually AI. Finally, Gen Cartwright stresses the importance for the nation to focus on the transition to a commerce-centric approach to the Space domain and the critical role of the Space Force in supporting commerce. General Cartwright: https://www.csis.org/people/james-e-cartwright OpEd: https://breakingdefense.com/2021/03/the-space-rush-new-us-strategy-must-bring-order-regulation/ Atlantic Council Report: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TheFutureofSecurityinSpace.pdf USCC testimony (starting page 13): https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/2019-10/April%2025%202019%20Hearing%20Transcript.pdf Work on Space Domain Awareness to Cislunar: https://www.afrl.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2002556344/mediaid/4752579/ Work to extend PNT to Cislunar: https://www.xplore.com/press/releases/2020/04.06.2020_xplore_receives_usaf_award.html AFRL's new 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 Rocket Cargo: https://www.airforcemag.com/rocket-cargo-air-force-fourth-vanguard/ https://www.defensedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/post_attachment/157919.pdf

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Joel Sercel, Founder and CEO of TransAstra Corporation. They discuss TransAstra's plans for Space Logistics, including the placement and servicing of as many as 100,000 satellites in LEO, its flex-fuel Omnivore solar-thermal engine, its broader architecture for Asteroid mining, and approach to agile engineering. They discuss how water is the ultimate future-proof safe bet for space logistics, the coming age of mega-sats in GEO, human spaceflight, the wealth and carrying capacity of the Asteroid belt, and the ultimate big picture of spreading Earth life. They discuss the specifics of asteroid mining and Lunar mining for water ice, the different scales of ambition between NASA and the private sector, and the need for NASA and Space Force to leverage the private sector to enable efficiencies approaching 10x. Joel provides a grand vision of our future, and lays out the key roles for NASA, FAA, Commerce, and Space Force. They also discuss the threats of Coronal Mass Ejections and Asteroid strikes -- and how TransAstra's Sutter Telescope network and Apis architecture could provide solutions. Joel Sercel info: https://spacesettlementsummit2019.nss.org/home/speakers/joel-sercel/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelsercel/ TransAstra: https://www.transastracorp.com/ TransAstra Video Gallery (where you can see the architecture & optical mining): https://www.transastracorp.com/gallery Stepping Stones Study: http://spaceref.biz/commercial-space/report-stepping-stones-economic-analysis-of-space-transportation-supplied-from-neo-resources.html https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/eso_final_report.pdf https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/eso_final_report_1.pdf http://fiso.spiritastro.net/telecon16-18/Sercel_8-16-17/Sercel_8-16-17.pdf Sunflower / Lunar Propellant Mining Outpost: https://www.transastracorp.com/lunar-power-generation https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/niac/2020_Phase_I_Phase_II/Lunar_Polar_Propellant_Mining_Outpost/ http://fiso.spiritastro.net/telecon/Sercel_1-20-21/ Fast Space Study: https://www.defensedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/post_attachment/157919.pdf Sutter Telescope Network: https://www.transastracorp.com/sutter-survey https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/niac/2017_Phase_I_Phase_II/Gold_Rush_in_Space/

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews China expert Dr. Oriana Skylar Mastro. They discuss how China views space, why space is key to any military conflict, and Taiwan in particular, how China is incentivized to attack U.S. space assets, and Chinese lines of anti-satellite research. Oriana discusses China's approach to negotiation, deterrence, diplomacy, and inducements; the potential for misunderstanding and escalation in targeting U.S. space assets; and the considerations that impact U.S.-China space cooperation. She also explains how freedom in space is critical to avoiding foreign dependence and how the U.S. must build both a resilient military space architecture and must not surrender global leadership in pursuing aspirational and inspirational space goals. Oriana: https://www.orianaskylarmastro.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/oriana-skylar-mastro-0442779/ The Taiwan Temptation https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/china/2021-06-03/china-taiwan-war-temptation

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 DIU's efforts to leverage the commercial sector to build dual-use logistics, infrastructure, and make use of space commodities.  They discuss the importance of the Space Domain, the coming revolution in access & human presence, the richness of the Moon as Earth's 8th Continent, how U.S. space primacy is in jeopardy -- and what is at stake. Gen Butow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-butow-32724a27/ https://www.diu.mil/team/Steven-Butow 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 SETI Institute https://www.seti.org/about Space Futures Workshop https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1101899.pdf 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

In this episode, Senior Fellow Peter Garretson interviews Josh Carlson, author of Spacepower Ascendant.  They discuss spacepower theory, space development theory, Space Force roles and missions, US-China competition, and why the Space Force needs a broad vision. Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-carlson-19ba0167/ Josh's Book Spacepower Ascendant https://www.amazon.com/Spacepower-Ascendant-Development-Theory-Strategy-ebook/dp/B08BY52LFN Space Force Journal https://spaceforcejournal.org/ Dr. Goswami's Testimony on China https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Namrata%20Goswami%20USCC%2025%20April.pdf Space Force Advertisement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXtkq07oUaM Space Futures Workshop 2060 Report https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1101899.pdf China's Space Solar Power Plan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhgJwnpYRGc Planetary Defense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7KAsv57Rpw Where Starship Could take US: https://warontherocks.com/2021/05/a-starcruiser-for-space-force-thinking-through-the-imminent-transformation-of-spacepower/ Dr. Ziarnick's Book https://www.amazon.com/Developing-National-Power-Space-Theoretical/dp/0786494999 Dr. Dolman's Book https://www.amazon.com/Astropolitik-Classical-Geopolitics-Strategy-History/dp/0714681970 Dr. Goswami's Book https://www.amazon.com/Scramble-Skies-Competition-Control-Resources/dp/1498583113