In this episode of Inside West Point: Ideas that Impact, Lt. Col. Will Koch, Program Director for the Space Science Program at West Point, discusses the critical role of space in modern warfare. He shares his extensive experience from serving in Iraq to working with NASA on the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. Koch highlights the challenges soldiers face with rapidly advancing technology, the importance of understanding and trusting space equipment, and the potential vulnerabilities in space assets. The conversation delves into the Space Science Program at West Point, recent research projects, including nuclear thermal propulsion, and the importance of programming skills for leaders. The discussion also touches on the militarization of space and maintaining technological advantages on the battlefield. 00:00 Introduction to the Space Science Program  00:21 Lieutenant Colonel Will Koch's Background  01:40 Challenges in Modern Warfare and Space  02:53 Trust and Technology in Combat  03:41 Integrating Space Capabilities on the Battlefield  05:32 The Role of GPS and Technological Overreliance  08:40 Space Domain's Impact on Global Conflicts  11:30 Space Science Program Initiatives  17:47 Innovative Research and Projects  18:47 Nuclear Thermal Propulsion: The Future of Space Travel  24:12 Private Industry's Role in Space Exploration  24:58 The Space Cadre Course at West Point  26:28 Space Science and the War Fighter  28:31 Challenges in Space Militarization  31:56 West Point's Future in Space Innovation  33:37 A Journey from NASA to West Point  39:46 Rapid Fire Questions and Fun Facts 44:06 Final Thoughts and Advice  Loved this episode? Remember to rate, review, follow, and share this podcast with others. Learn more: Website: https://www.westpoint.edu/academics Interested in Teaching at West Point? Join us: https://bit.ly/TEACHWPLearn more about the Space Science Program: https://www.westpoint.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/space-science-major Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Dean.USMA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usmadean X: https://www.twitter.com/deanusma Threads: https://www.threads.net/@dean.usma Youtube: https://bit.ly/INSIDEWP-YOUTUBE Credits: Guest: LTC Will Koch: (https://www.westpoint.edu/physics-and-nuclear-engineering/profile/william_koch) Host: Brigadier General Shane Reeves: (http://linkedin.com/in/shane-reeves-7950a31b3)Recording: West Point Public Affairs-Visual Information Production: Growth Network Podcasts: (a href="https://growthnetworkpodcasts.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"...