The Space Policy Show

The integration of commercial space with national security space promises to save money and propel government innovation. However, in a conflict, such integration could blur the lines on what is a legitimate target. Is this integration a violation of the law of armed conflict for space? Join policy analyst Sam Wilson from The Center for Space Policy & Strategy as he talks to Professor David Ko...

As the Arctic region continues to warm, it is becoming more congested and contested.  Space domain awareness and space-based communications networks are playing an increased role in regional cooperation.  The US, Russia and other Arctic states are seeing more shipping and interest in natural resources, while non-Arctic states like China may also be seeking advantage. How do national space activiti...

Earth-observing satellites help us detect, monitor, and manage large forest fires. How does data from NASA space-based assets or the Canadian Space Agency’s WildFireSat program improve our capabilities to fight wildfires, and what else could be done? Join CSPS’s David Eccles as he talks to experts Joshua Johnston, PhD (Forest Fire Research Scientist, Canadian Forest Service ), Everett Hinkley (Nat...

Government agencies are increasingly looking to the commercial sector to meet their space mission needs.  What are the drivers toward this hybrid architecture? How can government assess commercial readiness ?  Are there best practices the commercial sector could install? In this episode Aerospace’s Ronald Birk talks to Clare Grason , Chief of US Space Force’s Commercial Satellite Communications Of...

“ While humanity extends its reach further into space, our workforce must reflect all the people on Earth and the values to which we aspire .”*  From industry and commercial to government and national laboratories, the space sector has a problem.  Growing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the sector will ensure the future of a space workforce that encompasses the talent, innovation, and re...

What is our responsibility to keep the space environment sustainable for future generations?  From space traffic management (STM) to banning debris-creating anti-satellite weapons tests (ASATs), space actors from all over the world are working to keep space useable for the common good.  Join Dr. Angie Bukley , Principal Engineer at Aerospace’s Center for Space Policy & Strategy, as she talks t...

GPS has huge benefits to society – from everyday convenience to national defense to massive economic value. What did we get right? What are challenges to its future? What are the alternative Position, Navigation, Timing (PNT) satellite alternatives?  Join Ranwa Haddad , Technical Fellow at The Aerospace Corporation, as she talks to Professor Bradford Parkinson from Stanford University and “Father...

What can we learn from the history of planetary science? What are the important stories of space exploration as told through curated museum collections?  How can these help us better understand the human condition?  Join Dr. Margaret Abraham, senior project leader in Aerospace’s Civil Systems Group, as she talks to Dr. Matthew Shindell , curator in the space history department at the Smithsonian N...

How does space fit into the international diplomatic framework of the UN? How do countries try to reach agreements on some of the biggest legal and technical issues in space? What are some of the greatest obstacles facing space diplomacy today? In this episode, Robin Dickey, policy analyst at the Center for Space Policy and Strategy, will interview Peter Martinez , executive director of the Secure...

Can an international space situational awareness (SSA) data sharing framework for assessing countries’ compliance with norms of behavior build enough support—from enough countries—to influence bad actors’ behavior in space? SSA helps to protect satellites and promote sustainability in space. In this episode, Dr. Mick Gleason, senior policy analyst of The Center for Space Policy and Strategy, will...

What is an economy for space and what investments can we make now to build it? What are some key barriers and possible disrupters?  Join Jamie Morin , Executive Director of The Center for Space Policy and Strategy, as he talks about this and more with Alex MacDonald , NASA’s Chief Economist, and Nicolas Peter , Head of the Space Policy and Entrepreneurship Lab at the International Space University...

Space is both part of, and separate from, other war domains – sea, air, and land.  What’s needed to ready our forces across all the military services for successful space operations?  How do we train and educate jointly, and with other countries, to protect common interests? The US Space Force is building on a long history of professional development and combat readiness at the National Security S...

Is NASA at an inflection point in terms of how it does business, manages missions and ensures safety?  How might national space policy impact the future of NASA’s charter?  The NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) released it’s 2021 Annual Report to Congress in January. Key recommendations: 1) developing a strategic vision for exploration and operations over the next 20+ years, 2) bringing...

Radiofrequency spectrum use is managed.  How has this evolved with the explosion of new wireless technologies, 5G and space-based services? RF spectrum is finite. How can this essential, but limited, resource be more efficiently used? RF spectrum is competitive.  How do we close the digital divide and meet growing user demands on both earth and in space? Find out more from spectrum expert and auth...

What does the lunar and cislunar environment look like over the next 10 years? What scientific experiments are being planned? What new technologies will be tested? What will we learn on the Moon to prepare us for Mars? Where is competition greatest? Join senior policy analyst Dr. Angie Bukley as she talks to Kaitlyn Johnson , Deputy Director and Fellow at the Center for Strategic & Internation...

The International Telecommunication Union, a specialized UN agency, facilitates inter-connection of the world’s communications networks, including coordinating the precious spectrum and orbital resources that support satellites and other space missions. The impact of ITU decisions on spectrum connectivity, space services, and the private sector is unmistakable. Join Audrey Allison from The Center...

Why is international cooperation in space important? How does the US military pursue and sustain relationships with other space nations? What are the continuing challenges? Join Dr. Mick Gleason (Aerospace) as he explores this and more with Colonel Raj Agrawal, USSF, Chief of the International Affairs Space Division in the Department of the Air Force. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aeros...

1 in 5 fish that land on a dinner plate in America is a result of illegal fishing.* How do satellites identify illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing around the globe? What remote sensing data can be combined to better understand the extent of illegal fishing beyond what shipboard trackers do? Space-based capabilities have shed light on the regions in most danger of IUU fishing.  In th...

US Space Force Guardians are operating from almost a clean slate when it comes to building its culture and workforce.  At least that what the foundational document, Guardian Ideal , demonstrates with its fresh approach to talent management in the newest service. What are the core values – the four C’s? How do you bake resiliency into a workforce? How does diversity of thought drive innovation? Joi...

With the US Space Force seeking to be a transformative military service from the onset, how is the Space Operations Command working to be lean and agile through better data flow, digital operations, and partnerships? Leveraging international partnerships is key to U.S. success in space; what more can be done to remove roadblocks and nurture those relationships? In this episode, join Dr. Jamie Mori...

How can space satellites help identify pollution and unsustainable land use practices? From oil spills to methane super-emitters, the view from space can spotlight the worst polluters. So why isn’t there better environmental accountability when so much earth monitoring data is available? In this episode Samira Patel talks to Karen Jones (Aerospace) and John Amos (President, SkyTruth ) about these...

 Enlisted members of the US Space Force can look to the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer in the service to advise the top leadership on their welfare, readiness, morale and military effectiveness.  The first-ever appointed Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force, and the second member to join the new service overall is CMSSF Roger Towberman .  Join Director of the Center for Space Policy...

How does NASA help prepare for astronauts to remain in isolation and confinement for long-duration space flight to Mars?  Enter SIRIUS-21 – an 8 month analogue mission that will conduct physiological and psychological experiments with an international crew from the US, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.  The Scientific International Research in Unique Terrestrial Station (SIRIUS) project will us...

Are space systems considered “critical infrastructure”?  How much of our lives are dependent on space, what’s at risk and how should it be protected?  Find out from the 2021 Value of Space Summit directors, Erin Miller (Executive Director, Space ISAC) and Lori Gordon (Aerospace) as they talk to Sam Wilson (CSPS) with highlights and next steps from the Summit.  The National Council of Information S...

Large and mega constellations of small satellites are being launched and planned for low earth orbit. This proliferated environment has various regulatory bodies depending on who owns the satellite and what the purpose of the mission is – civil, commercial, scientific, educational, or defense. Who has accountability? With more satellites comes higher demand for spectrum to communicate with – who g...