The DownLink Podcast

Ground stations, built by proxies of China’s People's Liberation Army and Russia’s Roscosmos, can be found across Latin America, including three on Venezuelan military bases. Recent operations in and around Venezuela demonstrate that these strategically important adversarial space assets are now in the cross-hairs of the Trump Corollary. Laura Winter speaks with Namrata Goswami, Professor of Space Security, Schriever and West Space Scholars Program, Johns Hopkins University, and co-Author of the book “Scramble for the Skies: The Great Power Competition to Control the Resources of Outer Space”.

President Donald Trump issued a course-setting presidential executive order on Thursday that looks more like the national space strategy for which many, in and out of government and across a myriad of space-related sectors, have been waiting. Laura Winter speaks with Peter Garretson, a Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, who is also the author of three books, the latest of which is “Space Shock: 18 Threats That Will Define Space Power”.

Charles Galbraith, a retired U.S. Space Force Colonel and director at the Mitchell Institute, shares insights from the recent Space Power Conference. He discusses the significance of Secretary of the Air Force Troy Mink's presence and how it reflects a commitment to space initiatives. Galbraith emphasizes a unique opportunity for acquisition reforms amidst changing military culture and evolving warfare strategies. He predicts new space weapon systems based on current naming conventions and highlights the importance of integrating operations with acquisition roles.

Jonny Dyer, CEO of Muon Space and former leader at Google, discusses the revolutionary potential of AI and laser communications in satellite technology. He highlights how lasers could streamline data-intensive Earth observation, likening current satellite communications to dial-up compared to the 'broadband' future ahead. Dyer also shares insights on Muon’s partnerships, the Firesat project funded by Space Force, and how advanced data models could democratize weather forecasting and local insights. Leadership lessons from baseball add a unique twist to his approach in managing his growing team.

In this engaging discussion, Torsten Kriening, CEO of SpaceWatch.global and host of the Space Cafe podcast, shares insights on Germany's newfound commitment to space defense. He sheds light on Germany's historic €35 billion strategy to develop offensive and defensive capabilities in orbit. Kriening explores geopolitical factors driving this shift, including tensions with Russia, and discusses the urgency behind preparing for a potential conflict by 2029. He also covers European cooperation and ESA's evolving role in defense.

In a captivating discussion, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Steven Shirley, former Executive Director of the DoD Cyber Crime Center, delves into the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and its implications for the defense industrial base. He highlights the necessity of verified assessments to combat cybersecurity risks and the challenges faced by small companies in compliance. Shirley also outlines the phased rollout of CMMC and the importance of contract flow-down from primes to subcontractors, emphasizing the intersection of cybersecurity and acquisition reform.

While the U.S. government remains shut and the NASADQ is getting hammered, Chad Anderson of Space Capital, a seed-stage venture capital firm that invests exclusively in space-based technologies, says the space market “has fundamentally matured”. Laura Winter speaks with Chad Anderson, CEO, Founder, and Managing Partner of Space Capital.

This week’s guest says, “ The purpose of science and technology research, in the military, is to make the fight unfair.” So what’s standing in our way? Laura Winter speaks with Richard Joseph, the 36th Air Force Chief Scientist, who has a CV that includes the Strategic Defense Initiative, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and NASA.

Could pre-positioning mission-critical cargo in Low Earth Orbit, to be summoned and sent to a place and time of the U.S. military’s choosing, in under an hour, solve logistical bottlenecks in times of need? Inversion Space and its investors are betting on it. Laura Winter speaks with Justin Fiaschetti, Inversion Space’s Co-Founder and CEO.

Antje Nötzold, a senior researcher focused on military space policy, and Torsten Kriening, CEO of SpaceWatch.Global, dive into Germany's staggering €35 billion military investment in space. They discuss the strategic implications of this funding, especially in response to global threats from nations like China and Russia. The guests explore how Germany's defense posture is evolving, the specific space threats faced, and the potential benefits for the German industry. This significant shift highlights a renewed focus on capabilities and collaborative efforts in the space domain.