TerraWatch Space Podcast

Today, I am speaking with Namrata Goswami, a strategic analyst and consultant on space policy, international relations, great power politics and alternate futures. Namrata has authored a number of books on those topics with the latest one focusing on the second space race titled, "Scramble for the Skies: The Great Power Competition to Control the Resources of Outer Space", co-authored with Peter Garrettson.In this episode, Namrata and I discuss all things geopolitics and how it is very relevant in the world of space. We touch upon topics including whether there is a cold war brewing between the US and China, the role of Russia, India, Japan and Europe in the global space race and the emergence of the spacefaring nations in the Middle East.----01:30: Namrata's story: From growing up in north-east India to becoming a geopolitical expert03:03: About Namrata's recent book05:49: Is geopolitics in space still relevant?08:31: Is geopolitics in space underrated?12:52: What is the 'space power theory?'15:59: Why do we have so many space agencies being established today?19:35: About the series 'For All Mankind' on Apple TV+22:31: Is there a cold war developing between the US and China?27:17: Where does Russia fit into the picture?30:05: What is the role of Europe in the new space race?34:07: No borders from space vs borders on Earth36:53: India's position in the global space race40:05: What about the role of Japan in the future?43:04: The emergence of UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel and potentially Turkey50:15: The impact of geopolitics in space arms and military54:28: Why Elon Musk is so important for the space industry58:24: What should we be worried about in terms of our future in space?-----

Today, I am speaking with Pierre Lionnet, the Research & Managing Director at Eurospace, the trade association of the European space manufacturing industry. Pierre is an economist with more than 25 years of experience in the space industry, and a well-known expert on space markets.In this episode, Pierre and I discuss what is NewSpace, recent developments in the launch sector, launcher economics particularly focusing on the micro launcher segment, meaning small-lift launch vehicles capable of lifting up to 2,000 kilograms to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Being an experienced analyst, Pierre provides a realistic assessment of the recent developments in the launch sector.Pierre's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eurospacepierrelionnet/Pierre's Twitter: https://twitter.com/lionnetpierre -----01:42 Pierre's story05:55 What is Eurospace? 08:45 How policy-driven is the space industry?13:10 What is NewSpace - is it based on the source of funding or based on the source of revenues?26:04 Number of launch companies needed to satisfy the market demand35:46 The business case of Astra (a small-lift launch vehicle)40:14 Why is there so much investment flowing into the space industry?48:41 The last-mile delivery market in space transportation53:31 The importance of price and quality of service in the launch market59:39 Is Uber & Deliveroo part of the space industry? 1:07:10 What Pierre is looking forward to in the space industry (hint: Earth Observation & SpaceX Starlink)1:11:10 The 1-line Pierre wants to tell the space industry-----

Today, I have a very interesting guest, one who wears 3 different hats - a self-proclaimed space enthusiast, a venture capitalist and a space entrepreneur, Delian Asparouhov. Delian is a Principal at Founders Fund, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that has invested in SpaceX, Palantir, Facebook, Airbnb and more. Delian also recently cofounded Varda Space Technologies that is building factories in space in order to manufacture products for use on Earth.In this episode, Delian and I talk about his story, how he juggles multiple roles and his perspectives on the space industry including the recent phenomenon of SPACs. I also got to hear some of his plans for Varda and how he sees in-space manufacturing evolving over the next few years.----------01:53 Delian's story07:04 Why Delian is passionate about space08:52 How Delian managed to keep track of developments in space tech without actually being in the space industry13:20 Why are we hearing so much about the space industry recently17:23 Delian's thoughts on SPACs and whether Varda will also look at a potential SPAC23:54 Delian's comprehensive overview of the space industry35:00 About Varda's plans for space factories and manufacturing in-orbit 39:43 Why isn't anybody doing this and looking at this market?42:05 How will we get the manufactured products down from space? (Note: we wait for further updates)43:55 Will there be more startups working on space factories founded as a result of Varda?45:25 Is in-space manufacturing the next big thing in space tech?48:46 Should we get more people excited about space?51:05 What could go wrong in the next decade or so?53:53 What does the space industry not do well?55:42 Delian's favourite hat to wear - space advocate/space-tech VC/ space entrepreneur

Today, I am speaking with Laura Seward Forcyzk.Laura is the owner of space consulting firm Astralytical specializing in space science, industry, and policy, and also offering space career coaching services. She is a NASA Subject Matter Expert for planetary science missions. She has researched astrophysics and planetary science at three NASA centers, flown two parabolic “Zero Gravity” campaigns and conducted geological research in a meteor crater. She is also the author of "Rise of the Space Age Millennials."In this episode, we discuss a lot of exciting topics including when are we going to be space tourists, how much do we need to save for going to space and whether we will start going to space for a vacation. We also talk about the use of stratospheric balloons for space tourism, the effects of going to space on the human body as well as the importance of space for Earth.Follow Laura on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraForczyk and check out Astralytical: https://www.astralytical.com/----Chapters:01:40: Laura's story04:35: About Astralytical07:30: About Laura experiencing zero-gravity10:42: When are we going to be space tourists? 14:48: How much do I need to save for going to space? And, when can I go? 18:18: Are we going to have space hotels? Are we going to start going to space for a vacation?21:30: Going to the edge of space through stratospheric balloons25:20: Should we make space tourism more equitable? Can we?29:26: Why are we talking about the space industry so much these days?34:26: Laura's take on the developments in the launch sector37:40: Understanding the importance of space technologies for life on Earth41:07: Team Moon or Team Mars?42:21: Team Human Exploration or Team Robotic Exploration?44:24: What impact does going to outer space have on the human body?46:26 What is Laura looking forward to in space tech? 48:21 Is Pluto a planet?49:23 What is the 1-line you want to say to the space industry?-----

Our guest today is Jeff Crusey, a venture capital investor at Seraphim Capital that invests predominantly in space tech. Seraphim has invested in many startups across space domains including Spire, Iceye, D-Orbit as well as AST & Science. In this episode, Jeff provides his perspectives on the space industry, including the recent developments in space tech and the applications of space technologies for Earth. We discuss how big of a problem space debris is and how companies are using innovative technologies to tackle it. Jeff also has some interesting thoughts on what the space industry could do better - to tell better stories with a bigger vision. Chapters: 01:55: Jeff's Story 06:30: What is the "Space Industry?" 08:55: Why Create an Investment Thesis Around Investing in Space? 12:50: Is Space Debris a Big Problem? 14:25: Are We Worrying Too Much About Space Debris? How Can We Clean Space? 16:14: Do We Need More VCs Investing in SpaceTech? 18:27: Would You Invest in an Earth Observation Company, a Satellite IoT Company or a Launch Company? 21:53: SPACs and Space 24:33: What Can the Space Industry Do Better? 27:09: What Would You Want to Say to the Space Industry?

This episode is all about investing in space. Our guest today is Andrew Lapham, the CEO of Northern Private Capital, a private equity firm based in Canada. In 2019, Northern Private Capital acquired MDA, the Canadian aerospace company, from Maxar Technologies of the US, for a deal valued at about 1 billion Canadian dollars.In this episode, Andrew provides an investor's perspective on the space industry. As an outsider who ventured into space by investing in MDA, Andrew has some interesting insights on the recent trends in space tech including Earth observation, launchers, robotics and space exploration. He also some thoughts on the recent phenomenon of SPACs in the space industry as well as suggestions for investors exploring opportunities in space tech.Chapters:01:39: About Andrew and Northern Private Capital (NPC)04:31: Andrew's Perspective on SPACs09:28: Segments of the Space Industry That Were Easier to Understand As A Generalist Investor12:06: Satellite Systems13:32: Robotics15:04: Earth Observation18:03 Invest in an Earth Observation Startup, a Launch Startup or A Startup Building A Moon Lander? (Hypothetically)23:30 Strategic Outlook for MDA28:30 Does Andrew Recommend the Space Industry to Non-Space Investors?31:15 What Does The Space Industry Do Well? And What Can it Improve?34:03 What Are You Most Looking Forward To In Space Tech?

In this first episode, I am stoked to have Joe Morrison on the podcast to talk about all things Earth Observation - the domain of space tech related to collecting data about the Earth through sensors in satellites.

Welcome to the TerraWatch Space podcast. This is Aravind. In this podcast, I will attempt to decode what is going on in the space industry, by interviewing thought leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, space professionals and more, to get their perspectives..