The Space Policy Show

Hosted by The Aerospace Corporation

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Episodes

171

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy hosts this series to bring our policy experts together with thought leaders, government, academia and professionals from throughout the space community to discuss current trends and views. Go to https://csps.aerospace.org/events to subscribe for webcast reminders or find us on YouTube. #TheSpacePolicyShow

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60 recent

June 3, 2026Episode 17146 min

Ep. 171: Humanity on the Moon

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!

May 20, 2026Episode 17035 min

Ep. 170: Science for Defense

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!

May 13, 2026Episode 1691 hr 25 min

Ep. 169: Enabling In-Space Economy

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 TechnologiesWill Bruey, CEO of Varda Space IndustriesTaylor 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!

April 22, 2026Episode 16847 min

Ep. 168: A Future for Dynamic Operations

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!

April 10, 2026Episode 16739 min

Ep. 167: Industry Goes to Washington

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!

April 6, 2026Episode 16638 min

Ep. 166: Playing the Long Game

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!

April 1, 2026Episode 16540 min

Ep. 165: Interagency Authorization?

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!

March 25, 2026Episode 16440 min

Ep. 164: Slipping Supply Chain

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!

March 18, 2026Episode 16352 min

Ep. 163: Europe’s Sight on Space

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!

March 4, 2026Episode 16255 min

Ep. 162: Applications of AI to Space

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!

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