In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Dr. Scott Pace, Director of the Space Policy Institute at the George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs and former Deputy Assistant to the President and Executive Secretary of the National Space Council from 2017-2020. They discuss the criticality of broad and bipartisan consensus to sustainable space exploration and development. Next, follows a discussion on exploration policy, space as...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Col. Eric Felt, Director of Air Force Research Lab Space Vehicles Directorate--The Space Force's Lab. Col. felt provides an overview of the role of the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), Space Vehicles, its size, budget, and relation to the Space Force. They discuss how AFRL cooperates with funding agencies and partner agencies (SDA, Space RCO, AF RCO, SSC, DARPA, DIU) as well as with the commercial sector. Next, they...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Tyler Bates, a Captain in the USSF about his article in The Space Force Journal about Cislunar Mission Concepts for the Department of Defense.  They discuss the strategic importance of the Moon, China's activities, and potential U.S. Space Force roles in enabling and securing commerce.  They delve into specific mission concepts of satellite communication, precision navigation and timing, space domain awareness, Lunar...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Dr. Bhavya Lal, senior advisor to the NASA Administrator on Budget and Finance. They discuss NASA's Artemis Lunar Program, the Chinese Space Program and Commercial Sector, why the Moon and human presence is important, the promise of nuclear power and propulsion, and NASA's relevance to the Climate Change task force. They examine the soft-power implications of sustained presence and how leadership translates into...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Mandy Vaughn, founder and CEO of GXO, and former CEO of VOX Space. They discuss the return of the National Space Council with its new Secretary, Chirag Parikh, and Vice President Kamala Harris, the User's Advisory Group, and continuities that will likely remain a priority. They also highlight the recent State of the Space Industrial Base event. Mandy describes a broad vision for space economic development involving...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Victoria Samson, Washington Office Director for Secure World Foundation.  They discuss 'space sustainability,' The Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS), the problem of space debris, the construction of international norms through unilateral precedent, bilateral and multilateral fora, the Artemis Accords, arms control theory, the status global counter-space and anti-satellite...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Bill Bruner, CEO and co-founder of New Frontier Frontier Aerospace.  They discuss New Frontier Aerospace's vision of a reusable rocket-based mach-8 hypersonic suborbital cargo system. The discussion covers the Space Force doctrine, X-15, DC-X, seams in air and space power projection, Space Tourism's recent successes with Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, equity concerns with billionaire rocket programs and their...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Dr. M.V. "Coyote" Smith, a leading intellectual father of the Space Force, spacepower advocate, and professor of strategic studies at the Department of Spacepower's Schriever Scholars, where he educates America's Future Space Strategists. They discuss the Schriever Scholars Strategy Seminar, the increasing strategic importance of space, and space as a domain of commerce. They explore the needs and rationale for the...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews General James Cartwright, Harold Brown Chair in Defense Policy Studies for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, former commander of USSTRATCOM, and former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They discuss the Atlantic Council's The Future of Security in Space report, and why a 30-year vision and strategy is a necessity. They also touch on the massive shifts in scale and focus, and the movement...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Joel Sercel, Founder and CEO of TransAstra Corporation. They discuss TransAstra's plans for Space Logistics, including the placement and servicing of as many as 100,000 satellites in LEO, its flex-fuel Omnivore solar-thermal engine, its broader architecture for Asteroid mining, and approach to agile engineering. They discuss how water is the ultimate future-proof safe bet for space logistics, the coming age of...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews China expert Dr. Oriana Skylar Mastro. They discuss how China views space, why space is key to any military conflict, and Taiwan in particular, how China is incentivized to attack U.S. space assets, and Chinese lines of anti-satellite research. Oriana discusses China's approach to negotiation, deterrence, diplomacy, and inducements; the potential for misunderstanding and escalation in targeting U.S. space assets; and...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews General Steve "Bucky" Butow, Director of the Space Portfolio at the Defense Innovation Unit.  They discuss DIU's efforts to leverage the commercial sector to build dual-use logistics, infrastructure, and make use of space commodities.  They discuss the importance of the Space Domain, the coming revolution in access & human presence, the richness of the Moon as Earth's 8th Continent, how U.S. space primacy is in...

In this episode, Senior Fellow Peter Garretson interviews Josh Carlson, author of Spacepower Ascendant.  They discuss spacepower theory, space development theory, Space Force roles and missions, US-China competition, and why the Space Force needs a broad vision. Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-carlson-19ba0167/ Josh's Book Spacepower Ascendant https://www.amazon.com/Spacepower-Ascendant-Development-Theory-Strategy-ebook/dp/B08BY52LFN Space Force...

In this episode, Senior Fellow Peter Garretson interviews Kara Cunzeman, a thought leader and Futurist at The Aerospace Corporation.  They discuss strategic foresight, multiple futures, anticipatory policymaking, acquisition reform, and space guard missions including planetary defense and rescue. Kara calls for a more aspirational tone, and enumerates how the National Space Council, Space Force, and NASA have opportunities to plant seeds for an abundant future. Kara Cunzeman...

In this episode, Senior Fellow Peter Garretson interviews John Mankins. They discuss John's ambitious prediction for 2045, and what steps the United States must take to keep pace with global competition--both technically and diplomatically. John explains the value of the Moon, the possibility and desirability of Space-Based Solar Power satellites, the proliferation of reusable space transportation, and emerging roles for the Space Force. John outlines the state of international competition...

In this episode, Senior Fellow Peter Garretson interviews spacepower theorist Dr. Brent Ziarnick.  In this marathon discussion, they cover the origins of Space Force, the foundations of spacepower theory, the founding and curriculum of the Space Force's Schriever Scholar Strategy Seminar, "bluewater" and "brownwater" philosophies of spacepower, the criticality of rank and reserves to agility and boldness, the military utility of heavy re-usable lift like Starship, the possibility of Space...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Robert Zubrin, founder of the Mars Society, Pioneer Astronautics, and other of the Case for Mars and the Case for Space. They discuss the reasons for America to lead life to be spacefaring and becoming multi-planetary, how spaceflight opens up a limitless future, and how spacefaring ensures a vibrant civilization and culture. They discuss the rise of the private sector, international competition, and the necessary...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Rick Tumlinson, Founder of SpaceFund, EarthLight Foundation, New Worlds and Space Frontier Foundation.  They discuss Rick's far-reaching vision for space, his current and past ventures as a founder, entrepreneur, activist, and now venture capitalist.  Rick outlines the respective roles of government and private industry, and what policies are required to secure American leadership and develop the frontier. Rick...

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Mr. Douglas Loverro, President of Loverro Consulting LLC, and former Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations for NASA, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy.  They discuss the near and short-term importance of space, the National Space Council, Space Force, infrastructure, threats to US space primacy, the relevance of space to preserving Earth, how the US can maintain...

AFPC Senior Fellow Peter Garretson interviews Coen Williams, Director of Outreach for The 602 Club, a grass-roots professional military association for junior Space Force Guardians and military space professionals. Topics discussed include the 602 Club, the U.S. Air Force Academy "I5" Space Strategy and Policy Club, Space Force Journal, and how members of 602 are trying to forge a bold and innovative Space Force culture called for by the Space Force Doctrine.

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Vice President of Operations Richard M. Harrison about AFPC's new Space Policy Initiative.  They discuss the impetus and goals for the initiative and podcast, and touch on the recent publication of the book Scramble for the Skies: The Great Power Competition to Control the Resources of Outer Space. Links to the material discussed: AFPC Space Policy Initiative...