The Space Policy Show

What is the strategic role of uncertainty in safeguarding global security? The militarization of space involves disparate nations and commercial actors, along with pervasive data collection and transformative technology innovation, and it will challenge the traditional theories of arms control but there are throughlines. In this episode, Russell Rumbaugh, Deputy Executive Director of CSPS, invites Dr. Amy J. Nelson to discuss her new book The Arms Control Paradox: Managing Uncertainty in an Insecure World. She talks about why ambiguity creates mistrust when it comes to arms control and how in the Age of Information uncertainty is not necessarily assuaged. Nelson is Director of the Future Security Scenarios Lab at New America.

Available by video or podcast.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Commercial space launch and operations involves a lot of data that travels on radiofrequency spectrum and is licensed for use to many actors across launch and operations, including future in-space servicing. As the industry grows, so too must the creativity of regulators to ensure a timely licensing process and no interference between users. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s new Part 100 is just the beginning. In this episode Audrey Allison (CSPS) talks to Arpan Sura, Senior Counsel to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr about what the agency is doing to modernize the process now and be prepared for the future, including at the upcoming UN World Radio Conference in 2027.

Available by video or podcast.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

A mesh network of data centers in space has the potential to change how data is stored and where data is processed, and many see it as a solution to pressures currently on terrestrial data centers. What are the key bottlenecks? How should we be thinking now to ensure and protect orbital operations into the future? Are there use-cases for national security being explored, such as for missile warning and missile tracking?

Hosts Colleen Stover (CSPS) and Ron Birk (Principal Director, Civil Systems Group) bring in Aerospace experts Tim Bixler (Technical Fellow) and Andrew Abraham (Senior Engineering Specialist) to discuss orbital data centers (ODCs).

Available by video or podcast.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Nuclear technology has been used in the space sector for decades – from generating power on Voyager I since 1977 to the Mars rovers. Commercial space nuclear power and propulsion (NPP) will most likely have a role in future space operations, but nuclear has an image problem that may only be solvable through effective regulation for safety. How do different high and low enriched nuclear materials dictate the licensing and regulation for use in the space sector? What are the current laws for possessing, handling, transporting, and operating nuclear material – and more importantly, how do they apply to the space sector – from testing and launch to orbital and deep space operations? In this episode, Dr Brian Weeden, Director, Civil and Commercial Policy at CSPS, talks to Stewart Forbes, Counsel at Hogan Lovells Cadwalader LLP’s Global Regulatory Group and former Department of Energy, about these questions and more.

Available by video or podcast.

If you want to expand your background of the topic, check out episode #157: Rapid Propulsion & Power when Dr Weeden talks to Dr. Bhavya Lal to discuss various space NPP use-cases and technology types, like RTG and RPS using radioisotopes, and about reactors using low enriched fuel like HALEU. You can also read more online about US government-led programs KRUSTY (a fission reactor, 2018) and DRACO (a demo rocket, 2020-2025).

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

The US Army recently announced a Space Operations Branch, but space is not new to ground-based operations. So what is new? What do ground forces use space for, and how does is fit into the joint force that includes the US Space Force? What are future forward training and technology developments the US Army is looking at? In this episode, Senior Policy Analyst and former soldier, David Geye (CSPS), talks to US Army’s Col. Joseph Mroszczyk, Director, Transformation Integration Directorate for Space Superiority (TID-SS) within the Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence and national president of the Army Space Professionals Association (ASPA).

Available by video or podcast.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Science-fiction as a genre has come to define the modern human experience and our vision of the future. Strategically thinking about conflict in space can be informed by some of the most beloved modern and historic sci-fi stories. Hosted by Colleen Stover, this episode features Dr. Namrata Goswami talking about her novel approach to seeing space strategically through the lens of Dune (1965), The Expanse (TV, 2015), Ender’s Game (1985), Forever War (1974), and Basilisk Station (1993). Future human activities in space will still involve conflict and competition for resources, logistical advantage, superior decision-making, and advanced technology.

Available by video or podcast.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

The US Space Force, established in 2019, has become more important than ever as we face growing numbers of stakeholders, new capabilities, and geopolitical tensions involving the space domain. How has the nation’s newest service evolved to meet those challenges? What defines a military service and what makes for a good Guardian? New acquisition models, bigger budgets, and allied partners all play a role in how the Space Force will continue to develop. In September 2026, the Space Force leadership will transition. Watch this episode to hear from General B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations USSF, talk about the journey as he nears the end of his four year tenure. He talks to Jamie Morin, CSPS Executive Director and VP Aerospace Corporation.

Available by video or podcast.

This episode is part of the Leadership Series that convenes expert voices from industry CEOs to key government leaders making decisions about enabling the in-space economy for commercial providers and their customers, maintaining human health and well-being on the Moon, the next national security science investments, and the evolution and expansion of the US Space Force.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

The US Space Force, established in 2019, has become more important than ever as we face growing numbers of stakeholders, new capabilities, and geopolitical tensions involving the space domain. How has the nation’s newest service evolved to meet those challenges? What defines a military service and what makes for a good Guardian? New acquisition models, bigger budgets, and allied partners all play a role in how the Space Force will continue to develop. In September 2026, the Space Force leadership will transition. Watch this episode to hear from General B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations USSF, talk about the journey as he nears the end of his four year tenure. He talks to Jamie Morin, CSPS Executive Director and VP Aerospace Corporation.

Available by video or podcast.

This episode is part of the Leadership Series that convenes expert voices from industry CEOs to key government leaders making decisions about enabling the in-space economy for commercial providers and their customers, maintaining human health and well-being on the Moon, the next national security science investments, and the evolution and expansion of the US Space Force.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Humans living and working on the Moon is within reach, but how are we preparing to thrive? What humanity learned by long stays in low Earth orbit does not directly carry over to settlements on the Moon. The environment is different in terms of human health, culture, and governance. More radiation and more gravity. Longer stays and further away from home. Commercialization of activities across competing nations. Join Aerospace’s Melanie Saunders (former NASA Deputy Associate Administrator) as she explores these topics with guests Dr J.D. Polk (NASA Chief Health and Medical Officer) and Dr Angie Bukley (former Aerospace Technical Fellow and CSPS alum).

Available by video or podcast.

This episode is part of the Leadership Series that convenes expert voices from industry CEOs to key government leaders making decisions about enabling the in-space economy for commercial providers and their customers, maintaining human health and well-being on the Moon, the next national security science investments, and the evolution and expansion of the US Space Force.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Fundamental and applied scientific research is not only for academics and space exploration; it is also foundational to the future of national security space and how the US government will protect and defend. Road-maps are being laid out today by the Air Force and Space Force in partnerships across government and academia to inform the advanced technologies needed in the future of space security. Find out more in this episode with Charles Player (Principal Engineer, Space Futures Integration, Aerospace Corporation) talking to guest Dr. Stacie Williams (Chief Science Officer, US Space Force).

This episode is part of the Leadership Series that convenes expert voices from industry CEOs to key government leaders making decisions about enabling the in-space economy for commercial providers and their customers, maintaining human health and well-being on the Moon, the next national security science investments, and the evolution and expansion of the US Space Force.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Enabling a future in-space economy that involves a robust market of companies and customers must be architected by the right mix of private innovation and government support. In this show we talk to CEOs of two private space companies about what they want to see from government, and we talk to government about the framework to move us forward.

Join Dr. Brian Weeden and Dr. Jen Stein from the Center for Space Policy and Strategy as they talk to leaders about enabling the in-space economy for commerce both in the microgravity of low Earth orbit (LEO), and in cislunar and lunar environments.

• Dylan Taylor, CEO of Voyager Technologies
• Will Bruey, CEO of Varda Space Industries
• Taylor Jordan, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director of Office of Space Commerce

This episode is part of the Leadership Series that convenes some leading expert voices from industry CEOs to key government leaders making decisions about the next national security science investments, maintaining human health and well-being on the Moon, and enabling the in-space economy for commercial providers and their customers.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Dynamic space operations (DSO) is a future forward concept that will keep US and allied space assets safer from adversarial threats, and provide more agility to the way wars are fought in the future. But there are different approaches to consider such as refuel or replenish, material and architectural solutions, peacetime versus conflict, and prepositioning or rapid launch. It’s time for the foundational thinking on DSO to transition into “design – test – train” mode. In this episode space policy expert Katherine Melbourne (CSPS) talks to guests Lt General John Shaw, US Space Force (Ret), and Bryan Hoke, Technical Fellow at The Aerospace Corporation.

Read more about DSO at Aerospace here https://aerospace.org/article/dynamic-space-operations-adapting-aerospaces-capabilities-support-contested-space-domain

This episode is part of the Future Forward Series that discusses some of the most cutting-edge topics in the space enterprise today – decisions today that will define the future in areas of artificial intelligence, international relations, the industrial base, human science on Mars, and dynamic on-orbit operations.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

From big rockets to small businesses and maintaining the orbital environment, the Space Policy Show goes to Washington DC’s SATShow 2026, an event that has matured from a communications expo to one including government and military decision-making as well as the 10th annual pitch contest for start-ups. Watch this episode with host Colleen Stover, featuring:

• Satellite maneuverability and sustaining the orbital environment with Kevin Lausten, CEO of Morpheus Space
• Small business technology transfer – DiskSat – with Aerospace’s Dr Debra Emmons, VP & CTO and Rama Afullo, Founder & CEO of Satlyt
• Space situational awareness and decision-making with Robin Dickey, Director of Policy & Government Affairs at Slingshot Aerospace
• Superheavy lift rockets – the “Big Rockets” post-panel discussion with space economist Karen Jones from the Center for Space Policy & Strategy and David Hartshorn of Hartshorn Consulting

Available by video or podcast.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Beyond technology and discovery, there are aspects of the future space sector that hinge on partnerships and people. The Space Policy Show’s Colleen Stover talks to the CEO of Space Foundation Maj Gen Heather Pringle, USAF (Ret) about what her organization is doing to push forward international partnerships and a future space workforce, so the US maintains its leadership, and we continue convening for meaningful connections.

This episode is part of the Future Forward Series that discusses some of the most cutting-edge topics in the space enterprise today – decisions today that will define the future in areas of artificial intelligence, international relations, the industrial base, human science on Mars, and dynamic on-orbit operations.

Available by video or podcast.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

Commercial space activities require permissions from several government agencies – FAA and FCC to name two. Applications for flight safety and spectrum usage can be complex, duplicative, and uncertain. In response to Executive Order 14335 the Department of Commerce’s Office of Space Commerce (DOC/OSC) has released a proposed solution that hopes to fast track mission authorization across agencies and foster industry growth. It involves a flexible, voluntary program that issues stamp-of-approval certifications for novel space activities and hopes to become the model for a future rulemaking solution. In this episode Dr Brain Weeden, Director of Civil & Commercial Policy at the Center for Space Policy and Strategy talks to Gabriel Swiney, Director of Space Policy, Advocacy, and International Issues at the US Department of Commerce's Office of Space Commerce.

OSC will continue to receive feedback from industry and other stakeholders. Read the proposal here https://space.commerce.gov/osc-releases-updated-mission-authorization-proposal/

This episode is part of the Future Forward Series that discusses some of the most cutting-edge topics in the space enterprise today – decisions today that will define the future in areas of artificial intelligence, international relations, the industrial base, human science on Mars, and dynamic on-orbit operations.

Available by video or podcast.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

We already know the space supply chain is vulnerable but increasing capacity, adding resilience, and enabling scalability can seem elusive. How do regulations and government signals affect the commercial industry and its investors? What are the most fragile segments of the industrial base and which resources are being stressed? More importantly what are the actions the nation can take to shore up the industrial base? In this episode Andrew Berglund, Senior Policy Analyst CSPS, talks to Steven Jordan Tomaszewski Vice President of Space Systems at Aerospace Industries Association and Doug Anderson, Partner at PwC’s Operations Consulting Group about a recent report “Strengthening America’s space supply chain”.

This episode is part of the Future Forward Series that discusses some of the most cutting-edge topics in the space enterprise today – decisions today that will define the future in areas of artificial intelligence, international relations, industrial base, new technologies, and lunar infrastructure.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

The European space sector is shifting. The rise of sovereign capabilities and proposed rules, like the European Union Space Act, are working to promote the region’s leadership. However, the region’s space governance structure is complex, and questions remain as to how budgeting and responsibilities will play out. And what is the relationship between the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and the European Space Agency (ESA)? This episode features host Colleen Stover talking to Dr. Mick Gleason (Aerospace’s Center for Space Policy & Strategy) and Dr. Ingo Baumann (BHO Legal; Cologne, Germany).

This episode is part of the Future Forward Series that discusses some of the most cutting-edge topics in the space enterprise today – decisions today that will define the future in areas of artificial intelligence, international relations, industrial base, new technologies, and lunar infrastructure.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

How is artificial intelligence being integrated into space systems today and into the future? What benefits and risks have yet to come? Human operators and decisionmakers, or humans-on-the-loop, will continue to be a cultural sticking point in the adoption of AI and there are technology questions that must be explored to create more trust. In this episode host, Colleen Stover, talks to advance autonomy expert Pamela Wood (Aerospace), Paul Frakes, and Katherine Melbourne, analysts at Aerospace's Center for Space Policy and Strategy and co-authors of “Artificial Intelligence and the Space Enterprise: Taxonomy and Emerging Opportunities”.

This episode is part of the Future Forward Series that discusses some of the most cutting-edge topics in the space enterprise today – decisions today that will define the future in areas of artificial intelligence, international relations, launch capabilities, new technologies, and capital investments.

Available by video or podcast.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

The journey to Mars is a long one so when humans arrive, we will need to maximize the science in order to understand the environment for a future there – and to learn more about how the universe formed. What are those big science questions we should seek to answer and how should the journey(s) be scheduled? After two years the National Academy of Sciences has published a report (Dec 2025) called “A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars”. In this episode Colleen Stover hosts the committee co-chairs The Honorable Dr. Dava Newman (MIT, former NASA Deputy Administrator) and Dr. Lindy Elkins-Tanton (Director, UC Berkely Space Sciences Laboratory).

You can read the full report on the NAS website. “A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars”. And if you want to dive deeper into the science objectives within the report, be sure to check out this excel sheet Table J-3: STM of the Panel on Biological and Physical Sciences and Human Factors.

This episode is part of the Future Forward Series that discusses some of the most cutting-edge topics in the space enterprise today – decisions today that will define the future in areas of space science, artificial intelligence, international relations, launch capabilities, new technologies, and capital investments.

Available by video or podcast.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

What is the role of government when it comes to enabling and protecting the business of space?

How do regulations keep up (or not) with innovation? To what degree is Space Situational Awareness (SSA) inherently a government function like highway or maritime safety, and which agency should take responsibility? In this episode we talk to former Directors of the US Office of Space Commerce (OSC) about their experience across multiple White House administrations, and the history and future of decision-making in the newly elevated agency-level office. Christine Joseph, The Aerospace Corporation and former advisor at OSC talks to Kevin O’Connell, now CEO of Space Economy Rising and Richard DalBello now Principal at RDB Space.

This episode is part of the Going Faster Series that discusses various facets of speed, agility, innovation, and rapid deployment in national security, civil, and commercial space.

Available by video or podcast.

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!