The Space Hour

What happens when you combine satellite internet, precision positioning, and smart machines? The result could be better connectivity, more automation, and real-time data in places where traditional networks don't reach. New technology is helping tractors, trucks, and mining equipment stay connected in some of the world's most remote locations. To learn more, we talked with Michael Schramm, Co-Foun...

Not all asteroids are created equal. New research suggests that the smallest asteroids near Earth may come from different sources than their larger counterparts, offering new clues about where meteorites come from and how potentially hazardous space rocks behave. I had the chance to discuss the findings with the man in charge of that research, Dr. Nick Moskovitz of Lowell Observatory. https://lowe...

As space becomes increasingly central to national security, the challenge is no longer just putting assets in orbit—it's connecting information, systems, and operators across the entire battlespace. For a discussion on how the space sector is evolving, the role of innovative companies in supporting military and intelligence missions, and why breaking down technology silos is critical to the future...

A new competition is aiming to rethink how researchers access space, using a runway-launched spaceplane designed for rapid, repeatable missions instead of traditional one-off rocket launches. To explore how this “runway-to-space” model could accelerate microgravity research and lower barriers to space testing, I talked to Stefan Powell, CEO of Dawn Aerospace, the company behind the challenge. http...

From the Artemis launch and ongoing NASA missions to a surge in small business innovation and dual-use technologies, Florida’s Space Coast has seen rapid growth and increasing collaboration across its space and defense ecosystem in recent years. Two years ago, I got the chance to have a conversation about how the region has evolved into a hub of activity connecting government, industry, and startu...

Silent Shield is Deloitte's ongoing project to create a low impact way to ensure the cybersecurity of satellites, both modern and legacy. Last year, I had the privilege of speaking with Ryan Roberts, a principal with Deloitte about the undertaking. I recently welcomed him back to program to get an update on the project, and what they've been able to learn so far. See Privacy Policy at https://art1...

As commercial satellites become increasingly critical to communications, defense, and infrastructure, lawmakers and industry leaders are debating how to strengthen cybersecurity standards for space systems. To find out bore about the challenges of regulating satellite cybersecurity, the limits of voluntary standards, and why compliance alone doesn’t necessarily mean systems are secure, I spoke wit...

The European Union is taking on a larger role in space, expanding beyond economic and scientific initiatives into areas like security, industrial policy, and strategic autonomy. Michael Gleason, Senior Policy Analyst at The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy, joined me earlier to discuss how the EU’s space ambitions are evolving and what that means for Europe’s relationsh...

We start today with Artemis of course. The monumental event has left the commercial space community buzzing. We had our own man on the ground near the action, or we borrowed one at least. While several Artemis team members bring military and academic backgrounds that reflect a long‑term federal investment in advanced education. Observers say the mission highlights how institutions like the Naval P...

The intersection of intellectual property law and dual-use technology is taking on greater importance for aerospace startups seeking to serve both commercial and government customers. Leading intellectual property attorneys have advised government and commercial aerospace organizations in many deals now over the past year. One of them, Tom Cowan, a partner at Knobbes...

The US Government is moving forward with the MagQuest Challenge by sending SBQuantum’s diamond quantum magnetometer into orbit recently. The new sensor will measure Earth’s magnetic field in real time and support updated magnetic field mapping. To learn more about this new tool, I got the chance to speak with David Roy-Guay, SBQuantum's founder and CEO. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com...

With Artemis 2 now completed, sending Humans past Earth’s orbit for the first time since Apollo. Artemis 2 departs from recent decades of robotic missions and puts astronauts at the center of a new chapter in space exploration. To get a sense on the impact this had on those currently in the space field, as well as the astronomers of tomorrow, I welcomed to the program Antonio Peronace, executive d...

Within ongoing military operations on Earth, we're already seeing the implementation of AI technologies. I say on Earth because in the future, we could possibly see space warfare as rivals jockey for position above the planet. In an arena where there may not be much visibility or time for humans to properly make decisions. It may come down to who has the more advanced AI technologies to make them...

When it comes to government contracting, one of the more complicated arenas can be space procurement. How do you ensure compliance in a field where there are many unknowns and research is the main purpose of the purchase. It can be tricky, but there is some precedent for these kinds of deals and many who are well-versed in it. One of them, Per Midboe, who is a senior counsel with Crowell & Mor...

When I ask you to name the most important figures for human space travel, who's the first person that pops in your head? I'm going to bet it wasn't Robert H. Goddard. Well a new book makes the case that that shouldn't be the case. Robert Goddard's Massachusetts tells the story of the man who created the first liquid fuel rocket, along with his other accomplishments that eventually helped shape the...

The launch of Rubin Observatory's alert system marks a breakthrough in astrophysics, giving scientists a real‑time stream of changes across the sky, from brightening stars to newly spotted asteroids. It’s one of the final steps before the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, which will scan the southern sky every night for a decade with unprecedented precision. Dr. Bob Blum joined Federal Dr...

I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Brandon Thorne, the new Senior Vice President for Energy Programs at the Universities Space Research Association. With more than 20 years of leadership across nuclear science, national labs, and national security, he steps into this role as USRA sharpens its focus on advanced nuclear innovation, AI-enabled energy systems, and emerging qu...

 India is opening the door wider to foreign investment in areas like satellite manufacturing, launch vehicles, and space infrastructure. At the same time, it still has local content rules and regulatory requirements that U.S. companies need to navigate. To talk through what that means for American businesses—and how the U.S. and India are shaping their commercial space relationship in 2026 an...

From robotic arms designed to remove space debris to technologies that could just as easily disable a satellite, the same new space capabilities can serve both peaceful and military purposes. Yet there’s no universally agreed-upon definition of what qualifies as dual-use—making governance, transparency, and international cooperation far more complicated. Researchers at the RAND Corporation ar...

 Beginning our show today with Kelle Wendling—an accomplished aerospace and defense executive with more than three decades of leadership experience across space systems, ISR, and government contracting. Wendling recently joined the Board of Directors at Sidus Space, bringing a career that includes senior roles at L3Harris Technologies, where she helped lead major growth and innovation ef...

With the recent passage of the 2026 NDAA, we’re digging into one of the biggest questions facing U.S. national security right now: if defense spending rises toward $1.5 trillion in 2027, what should that money actually deliver—especially for the U.S. Space Force? My next guest argues that any meaningful boost in defense funding should prioritize the Department of the Air Force, including a Sp...

GPS is so woven into daily life that most of us don’t think twice about it—until it’s gone. But behind that familiar blue dot is a powerful space-based system that;- touches everything from aviation safety and satellite navigation to financial transactions and earthquake alerts. To discuss the latest and to get some more background on the technology, I spoke with Lisa Dyer, Exe...

Space is getting more crowded—and sometimes, objects go missing. But there is at least one way of finding lost space junk. I recently had the chance to talk to Jeff Shadix, Vice President of Space Surveillance and Systems at Slingshot Aerospace, about a real-world mission to track down a lost Russian satellite in medium Earth orbit. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californ...

When people think about the space economy, they often picture rockets and distant planets—but none of it works without infrastructure. I was recently joined by Phil Scully, General Partner at Balerian Space Ventures, to explore how investors are building the plumbing of the new space economy.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://a...

What do Olympic-level athletics and cutting-edge astrophysics have in common? Discipline, curiosity, and a deep respect for gravity. Why am I bringing that up, well I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Isabelle Connor, a senior astrophysics major whose path to studying black holes and cosmic turbulence began in elite gymnastics and an early fascination with space. Isabel is also one of tho...