Space Strategy

In this episode, Peter Garretson sits down with Steve Kwast,  Lt Gen, USAF  (Ret.), PhD, Co-Founder and Chairman of  SpaceBilt , Inc., to explore the infrastructure and logistics demands of an emerging Space Economy spanning Cislunar Space and beyond. During their discussion, they outline the strategic importance of space logistics to commerce and national security. They delve into the challenges...

In this episode, Peter Garretson sits down with  ⁠Christopher Stone⁠  to assess two major recent developments in U.S. space policy: the December Executive Order on  ⁠Ensuring American Space Superiority⁠ , and the newly released Space Force  ⁠Future Operating Environment 2040⁠  alongside its Objective Force. Together, they break down what the Space Force got right, what it got wrong, what's mis...

In this episode, Peter Garretson talks with serial Space Entrepreneur Charles Miller.  They discuss Charles' latest piece  Cracking the Code on the Lunar Economy . The two delve into the  Evolved Lunar Architecture Study  vision, its  impact , the first instantiation of Artemis, and the latest changes following the  NASA Ignition  event. They focus on the Trump White House  executive order &#3...

In this episode, Peter Garretson talks with  Heather Pringle ,  Maj Gen , USAF (Ret.), PhD, CEO of  Space Foundation . They discuss the 2026 Space Symposium and its themes. 2026 marks a major shift from aspirational vision to concrete execution, with unprecedented scale in participation (343 exhibitors, 50+nations). The conversation covers the current trends: Golden Dome ($175B), NASA's Lunar...

In this episode, Peter Garretson sits down with Ross Centers, CEO of  Ethos Space  explore his ambitious vision for creating large-scale space infrastructure. The conversation covers the Space Resources program at the  Colorado School of Mines , the concept of a planetary sunshade, and Center’s work with the  Planetary Sunshade Foundation —including how this ethical 'north star' shapes Eth...

In this episode, Peter Garretson talks with Dr. Sanjay Vijendran, Director of  Space  Energy Insights , and former lead for the European Space Agency's (ESA) groundbreaking SOLARIS Space-based Solar Power R&D Initiative. After a brief aside to discuss Sanjay's Mars work, they explore the basics of Space Solar Power: why it is interesting, and why  Elon Musk's efficiency-focused cri...

In this episode, Peter Garretson talks with Dr. Philip Lubin. Dr. Philip Lubin from the  UCSB Experimental Cosmology Group . Dr. Lubin discusses his groundbreaking work in laser technology and planetary defense, emphasizing the critical importance of protecting Earth from asteroid and comet impacts through innovative methods like directed energy systems and fragmentation techniques.    He introduc...

In this episode, Peter Garretson hosts Dr. Fred Kennedy, CEO of  Dark Fission . Fred discusses his career and vision for space exploration, emphasizing the importance of developing nuclear thermal propulsion technology to enable more ambitious missions beyond low Earth orbit. He explores the historical challenges and delays in nuclear thermal propulsion development, while advocating for investment...

In this episode Peter Garretson speaks with  Senior Master Sergeant  Benjamin Johnis , a Personnel Recovery Program Manager and former Air Force veteran, about rescue and personnel recovery in space. The discussion focused on space rescue capabilities and requirements. Benjamin presents his research on space rescue operations and discusses the challenges of developing a dedicated space rescue prog...

American Foreign Policy Council Space Policy Initiative co-directors Richard M. Harrison and Peter A. Garretson are taking a break from their original interview series to bring listeners something special—a free audio version of their co-authored book,  The Next Space Race: A Blueprint for American Primacy . In this series, they’ll take you chapter-by-chapter through the book, exploring the critic...

American Foreign Policy Council Space Policy Initiative co-directors Richard M. Harrison and Peter A. Garretson are taking a break from their original interview series to bring listeners something special—a free audio version of their co-authored book,  The Next Space Race: A Blueprint for American Primacy . In this series, they’ll take you chapter-by-chapter through the book, exploring the critic...

American Foreign Policy Council Space Policy Initiative co-directors Richard M. Harrison and Peter A. Garretson are taking a break from their original interview series to bring listeners something special—a free audio version of their co-authored book,  The Next Space Race: A Blueprint for American Primacy . In this series, they’ll take you chapter-by-chapter through the book, exploring the critic...

American Foreign Policy Council Space Policy Initiative co-directors Richard M. Harrison and Peter A. Garretson are taking a break from their original interview series to bring listeners something special—a free audio version of their co-authored book,  The Next Space Race: A Blueprint for American Primacy . In this series, they’ll take you chapter-by-chapter through the book, exploring the critic...

American Foreign Policy Council Space Policy Initiative co-directors Richard M. Harrison and Peter A. Garretson are taking a break from their original interview series to bring listeners something special—a free audio version of their co-authored book,  The Next Space Race: A Blueprint for American Primacy . In this series, they’ll take you chapter-by-chapter through the book, exploring the critic...

In this episode, Peter Garretson speaks with  Christopher Stone , Senior Fellow for Space Deterrence at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, and former Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy. Stone, author of  Reversing the Tao: A Framework for Credible Space Deterrence  and host of the host of  Real Space Strategy Podcast  joins Garretson for a w...

In this episode Peter Garretson talks with  Christopher Mason , a Professor of Genomics, Physiology, Biophysics, and Neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medicine and Director of the  WorldQuant Initiative  for Quantitative Prediction, and principal investigator for the  NASA Twins Study . The conversation explores the ideas in his book,  The Next 500 Years: Engineering Life to Reach New Worlds . The epi...

In this episode Peter Garretson talks with  Jim Keravala , co-founder and CEO of  OffWorld, inc . The conversation opens with the truly grand scale of ambition in space, beginning with interstellar migration before working back to Cislunar development. This leads into an exploration of political and environmental pressures, highlighting the need to double or quadruple our energy inputs through Spa...

In this episode Peter Garretson talks with  Mike Snead  and  Jess Sponable  about why America doesn't yet have true spaceplanes and their promise and importance.  They cover nuances of what counts as a spaceplane, what sorts of things a spaceplane can do, the major categories of spaceplanes (TSTO, SSTO, VTOL, HOTOL, VTHL, rocket/airbreathing,  air collection ,  hot  & cold structures).  The gu...

In this episode, AFPC Senior Vice President, and host of the Disinformation Wars podcast, speaks with Col. Peter Garretson, AFPC Senior Fellow in Defense Studies and former chief futurist for the U.S. Air Force, regarding China’s recent strides forward in space internet, and what it might mean for the unfolding “great power competition” between Washington and Beijing.   MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THI...

In this episode Peter Garretson talks with Dr. Greg Autry, Associate Provost for Space Commercialization and Strategy at the University of Central Florida, and former member of the 2016 NASA Agency Review Team and White House Liaison to NASA in 2017.  They discuss a number of ideas in Dr. Autry's new book  Red Moon RISING: How America Will Beat China on the Final Frontier . They touch on how D...

In this episode Peter Garretson has a discussion with former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. They delve into the strategic importance of space to our economy and security and counter-space threats. They review how Bridenstine got into space via the  Rocket Racing League , how his interests in promoting commercial space resulted in his  introducing  the  Space Renaissance Act  while in Congress...

In this episode Peter Garretson speaks with Simon “Pete” Worden (Brig Gen, USAF, Ret, PhD), Chairman of the  Breakthrough Prize Foundation . They discuss the purpose of spacefaring, the importance of  Cislunar , the Moon,  Clementine , the Near-Earth and Main-Belt Asteroids, NASA's Artemis mission,  Moon-to-Mars Objectives  and  Artemis Accords ,  DARPA  (and it's  NOM4D ,  DRACO ,  B-SURE...

In this episode, Peter Garretson meets with  General Chance Saltzman , Chief of Space Operations (CSO) for the United States Space Force. They discuss the role of CSO within the broader space ecosystem, and the  opportunities  and  threats  that occupy his thoughts. They examine the changes in the space domain, and how to respond to a  contested domain . They touch on 'theories of success'...

In this episode Peter Garretson meets with Dr. Ezinne Uzo-Okoro of the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy ( OSTP ). They discuss the White House space policies in the context of the  Administration Priorities , including climate, economy and jobs, restoring US global leadership, COVID and infrastructure, and the intention to lead by example. They delve into the broad context...

In this episode Peter Garretson talks with science fiction author  Daniel Suarez  about his latest novel  Critical Mass , which depicts humanity’s transition from a climate-imperiled, Earthbound civilization to one that utilizes the resources and energy from deep space to secure a promising, sustainable future. They discuss what it means to be a spacefaring civilization, what is the value proposit...