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!