Space Strategy

In this episode, Peter Garretson talks with Dr. Sanjay Vijendran, Director of Space Energy Insights, and former lead for the European Space Agency's (ESA) groundbreaking SOLARIS Space-based Solar Power R&D Initiative. After a brief aside to discuss Sanjay's Mars work, they explore the basics of Space Solar Power: why it is interesting, and why Elon Musk's efficiency-focused critique gets it wrong. They discuss the importance of capacity factors, and how ESA changed the game by getting the energy industry involved in cost-benefit studies, which catalyzed new startups and investment. The conversation covers the current state of play: who are the startups, who is receiving funding and how much, and the diversity of concepts being pursued—including Overview Energy, Aetherflux, Reflect Orbital, VirtusSolis, Solaren, the UK's Space Solar, Australia's Solar Space Technologies, Volta, Starcatcher, as well as synergies with orbital data centers, space logistics, and in-space assembly and manufacturing. They explore longer-term work Sanjay sponsored with AstroStrom on setting up an industrial base on the Moon to build solar power satellites (see video), and examine near-term environmental benefits and challenges. They discuss Space Solar's advantages in energy payback time, energy return on energy invested, carbon return on carbon investment, land use, water use, and thermal pollution—and the need for government and intergovernmental planning models to include space solar power. They discussion also covers geopolitical and geoeconomic implications of leading or following, national security implications (including energy sovereignty), and energy security opportunities for the developing world, as well as near-term demos by AFRL, JAXA, China, and commercial firms. They conclude by discussing the International Conference on Energy From Space happening later this year.

In this episode, Peter Garretson hosts Dr. Fred Kennedy, CEO of Dark Fission. Fred discusses his career and vision for space exploration, emphasizing the importance of developing nuclear thermal propulsion technology to enable more ambitious missions beyond low Earth orbit. He explores the historical challenges and delays in nuclear thermal propulsion development, while advocating for investment in all forms of nuclear propulsion and power systems to maintain U.S. competitiveness in space. They conversation covers a number of advanced nuclear propulsion ideas and explores the story behind ROAR and DRACO at DARPA, including the unfortunate recent demise of DRACO. They also discuss the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) original ‘deterrence layer,’ including an Advanced Maneuvering Vehicle. The episode concludes with discussions about funding strategies, potential partnerships, the need to remove regulatory barriers to allow American ingenuity to drive space exploration forward, and a grand strategy discussion about humanity’s expansion into the solar system.

American Foreign Policy Council Space Policy Initiative co-directors Richard M. Harrison and Peter A. Garretson are taking a break from their original interview series to bring listeners something special—a free audio version of their co-authored book, The Next Space Race: A Blueprint for American Primacy.In this series, they’ll take you chapter-by-chapter through the book, exploring the critical strategies America must adopt to maintain its leadership in space.In this final chapter, the authors present a comprehensive agenda for ensuring American primacy in space, detailing specific recommendations for NASA, the Department of Defense, Congress, and the National Space Council to foster space development and security. The chapter emphasizes the urgent need for a unified American space vision to counter China's ambitions, advocating for public-private partnerships, space infrastructure investment, and a restructured Space Force to extend "the blessings of liberty" beyond Earth and secure America's economic and strategic advantages in the space domain.

American Foreign Policy Council Space Policy Initiative co-directors Richard M. Harrison and Peter A. Garretson are taking a break from their original interview series to bring listeners something special—a free audio version of their co-authored book, The Next Space Race: A Blueprint for American Primacy.In this series, they’ll take you chapter-by-chapter through the book, exploring the critical strategies America must adopt to maintain its leadership in space.In this episode, they’re exploring a critical question: Is American space primacy slipping away? Chapter 4 takes a hard look at the warning signs—from lagging investments to bureaucratic inertia—that threaten to erode U.S. leadership in space. They discuss the policies and investments required to reverse this trend and ensure that America remains the dominant power in orbit and beyond.Next, in Chapter 5– The Future of the U.S. Space Force, they unpack the mission and challenges of America’s newest military branch, examining its role in defending space assets and deterring adversaries. They also examine the reforms and resources needed to make the Space Force a capable guardian of U.S. interests in space.

American Foreign Policy Council Space Policy Initiative co-directors Richard M. Harrison and Peter A. Garretson are taking a break from their original interview series to bring listeners something special—a free audio version of their co-authored book, The Next Space Race: A Blueprint for American Primacy.In this series, they’ll take you chapter-by-chapter through the book, exploring the critical strategies America must adopt to maintain its leadership in space.In this episode, they start with the introduction, laying out why space is not just a new frontier of exploration but a crucial domain for U.S. national security, economic growth, and global influence. The discussion emphasizes how the stakes are higher than ever, with China rapidly advancing its capabilities and challenging American leadership in space.Then, they dive into Chapter 1: Space Is an Untapped Resource. The chapter explores the immense potential of space-based resources—from energy and minerals to manufacturing—and what that means for America's economic future. The chapter addresses the strategic importance of tapping into these resources before rivals like China can capitalize on them, and why failing to act now could have long-term consequences for U.S. dominance on the global stage.

In this episode Peter Garretson talks with Christopher Mason, a Professor of Genomics, Physiology, Biophysics, and Neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medicine and Director of the WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, and principal investigator for the NASA Twins Study. The conversation explores the ideas in his book, The Next 500 Years: Engineering Life to Reach New Worlds. The episode opens with Chris' thought experiment for long-term thinking, and the realization that the span of life on Earth is finite and its implications. The discussion delves into key concepts from his book such as his "deontogenic ethics," the human purpose as shepherds of life, the duty to engineer, the 'metaspecies,' engineering astronauts, settlers, and their companion microbes, terraforming, and the nuts and bolts of his 500 year plan to engineer ourselves, the biospheres of planets in our solar system and settling new Earths, setting sail for second Suns. Mason shares insights from the NASA Twins Study, and highlights work in his lab such as creating radiation resistant cells by transplanting tardigrade DNA into human cells. The conversation covers planetary protection, longevity, synthetic biology, functional genomics, reproduction in space, AI & biological digital twins, and science fiction. Together, they explore what it means to codify such purpose in national policy, and how to encourage US leadership in the new space race in science and technology policy. Chris ends on a note of high optimism for the future of humanity.

In this episode Peter Garretson talks with Mike Snead and Jess Sponable about why America doesn't yet have true spaceplanes and their promise and importance. They cover nuances of what counts as a spaceplane, what sorts of things a spaceplane can do, the major categories of spaceplanes (TSTO, SSTO, VTOL, HOTOL, VTHL, rocket/airbreathing, air collection, hot & cold structures). The guests review the history of US efforts from X-20 DynaSoar, TAV (Boeing) to Cooper Canyon to X-30 NASP, Have Region, DC-X, X-33/Venture Star, XS-1/XSP and more). They explain that for decades the U.S. industrial base could have built rocket-powered spaceplanes and discuss the geo-strategic and political regions it has not. The conversation explores the reasons for failure, the sad demise of X-planes, and some of the positive trends in industry. They discuss policies that might advance spaceplanes as well as their military implications. Toward the end, Mike and Peter also discuss the interactions between spaceplanes, space solar power, and the implications of China's spaceplane, Lunar and Space Solar Power programs. The consider how a mature 'astroelectricity'and 'astrologistics' infrastructure would fundamentally change the game for the U.S. Space Force and military power.

In this episode Peter Garretson meets with Dr. Ezinne Uzo-Okoro of the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). They discuss the White House space policies in the context of the Administration Priorities, including climate, economy and jobs, restoring US global leadership, COVID and infrastructure, and the intention to lead by example. They delve into the broad context of the White House Space Priorities Framework and its emphasis on sustainability, norms and behaviors, earth observation for climate change. They examine the plethora of policy documents and the 'nuts and bolts' of what is involved in originating and coordinating such documents, including aligning with presidential intent, 'reading the room,' bringing together and educating stakeholders, and soliciting feedback including from industry and academia, making a case for guidance, always with the intent to maintain US preeminence at least 10-20 years down the road. They address how such documents are used by federal agencies, allies, and industry, and the relationship of OSTP to the National Space Council (NSpC), National Security Council (NSC), and Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and sometimes the National Economic Council (NEC) and Climate office...as well as the need for patience and grace throughout the 6-12 month coordination process. They explore the historic nature of the National Cislunar Science and Technology Strategy and the deliberate choice of the language of 'settlement' in the new National Low Earth Orbit Research and Development Strategy, and the consistent industry-friendly themes across documents of new products and scalable infrastructure, and economic growth. They touch on In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing National Strategy and National In-Space Servicing Assembly, and Manufacturing Implementation Plan, as well as the National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing and Interagency Roadmap to Support Space-Related STEM Education and Workforce. They also cover the James Webb Telescope and exciting DART mission, the recently updated National Preparedness Strategy & Action Plan for Near-Earth Object Hazards and Planetary Defense—"what's cooler than planetary defense." Along the way they discuss Space-Based Solar Power, Exoplanets, Settlement, Space Weather, regulating novel space activities. They review Ezinne's own career and journey, and her reasons for optimism and philosophy of hard work. They conclude talking about how easy it is to become involved in space, because it is a small community where anyone can play, and secrets of success such as: if you want to go far, go together; that success comes from putting one foot in front of the other; the utility of patience and grace, and that there is plenty of work, so grab an oar!

In this episode, Senior Fellow Peter Garretson interviews Lieutenant General John E. Shaw, Deputy Commander of United States Space Command (USSPACECOM). They begin by explaining the role and responsibilities of USSPACECOM. They examine Gen. Shaw's new article, Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Space as a Military Area of Responsibilities (AOR), including its key propositions: the importance of Earth; the insufficiency of the term "global"; the need to re-imagine strategic terrain (upwell, downwell, cislunar); and the importance of the AOR to everyone. They detail the role of a COCOM in peace and in war. Next, they discuss the utility of a naval / maritime analogy for Spacepower, and the potential new missions. They touch on Gen. Shaw's book, Whither Space Power, and where it has proved prescient. They outline interagency challenges ahead such as rescue of space tourists and deflecting asteroids—including a recent NASA-FEMA-USSF-USSPACEOM tabletop exercise (TTX). Finally, they conclude with a vision of humanity's future in space if we play our cards right, and an invitation to young people to join the adventure through service in the United States Space Force. About Gen. John Shaw: https://www.spacecom.mil/Leaders/Bio/Article/2433977/lt-gen-john-e-shaw/ USSPACECOM: https://www.spacecom.mil/ Article: Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/AEtherJournal/Journals/Volume-1_Issue-1/06-Shaw.pdf Book: Whither Space Power https://media.defense.gov/2017/May/05/2001742912/-1/-1/0/FP_0008_WORDEN_SHAW_WHITHER_SPACE_POWER.PDF USSPACECOM Posture Statement https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/USSPACECOM%20FY23%20Posture%20Statement%20SASC%20FINAL.pdf https://www.spacecom.mil/Testimony/ Planetary Defense TTX: https://www.jhuapl.edu/NewsStory/220310c-planetary-defense-exercise https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/pd/cs/ttx22/ Gen. Shaw Presenting on Planetary Defense at Space Symposium: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7137185/usspacecom-deputy-presents-planetary-defense-37th-annual-space-symposium Gen. Shaw Wired Interview https://www.wired.com/story/space-commands-lt-gen-john-shaw-on-the-future-of-space-security/ Gen. Shaw OpEd  https://spacenews.com/op-ed-the-u-s-space-force-must-be-independent-but-not-insular/

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Henry Sokolski, Executive Director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, about their recent China-U.S. wargame. They discuss the impetus for the game, who was involved, the force structure, how the game unfolded, the surprises, and the key takeaways. Key takeaways included the need for bodyguard satellites, 'self-executing' norms that allow self-defense, the emerging importance of orbits above GEO and in Cislunar, the space domain awareness required to keep track of dual-use servicing assets, the need to work and share with allies, and to engage South Korea on space cooperation. Henry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-sokolski-3b5409ab https://npolicy.org/leadership-staff/henry-d-sokolski/ NPEC: https://npolicy.org/mission/ @NuclearPolicy A China-US war in space: The after-action report https://thebulletin.org/premium/2022-01/a-china-us-war-in-space-the-after-action-report/ https://npolicy.org/china-waging-war-in-space-an-after-action-report-occasional-paper-2104/ https://npolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2104-China-Space-Wargame-Report.pdf What a space war might look like Circa 2030: https://npolicy.org/article_file/What_War_In_Space_Might_Look_Like_In_The_Next_One_To_Two_Decades.pdf Why Cislunar Is Important and Hard: https://www.afrl.af.mil/Portals/90/Documents/RV/A%20Primer%20on%20Cislunar%20Space_Dist%20A_PA2021-1271.pdf?ver=vs6e0sE4PuJ51QC-15DEfg%3D%3D https://spaceforcejournal.org/posturing-space-forces-for-operations-beyond-geo/ Federalist Papers on Public Debate: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-10-02-0178

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Wayne White, author of the Space Pioneer Act. They discuss the utility of real property rights in space, consistence with the Outer Space Treaty, and how national legislation can help set norms and enable U.S. leadership. They outline the contents of the Space Pioneer act and the next steps for the draft legislation. Wayne White: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynenwhite/ https://independent.academia.edu/WhiteWayne Space Pioneer Act (Full Act): https://www.academia.edu/45290412/The_Space_Pioneer_Act Space Pioneer Act (FAQ): https://www.academia.edu/49138575/The_Space_Pioneer_Act_Frequently_Asked_Questions Space Pioneer Act (Outline Only): https://www.academia.edu/49138580/The_Space_Pioneer_Act_Outline Real Property Rights in Space: http://www.space-settlement-institute.org/Articles/research_library/WayneWhite98-2.pdf https://www.academia.edu/9176166/Real_Property_Rights_in_Outer_Space_unpublished_long_version_1985 Salvage Law for Outer Space: https://www.academia.edu/6983159/Salvage_Law_for_Outer_Space National Space Society (About): https://space.nss.org/nss-statement-of-philosophy/ NSS Space Settlement Library: https://space.nss.org/space-settlement-library/

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 the recently released State of the Space Industrial Base Report 2021 and its findings, with particular emphasis on the commercial sector, its importance and needs. Gen. Steve Butow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-butow-32724a27/ https://www.diu.mil/team/Steven-Butow State of the Space Industrial Base 2021 https://www.diu.mil/latest/state-of-the-space-industrial-base-2021 Formal Release of Report at Atlantic Council https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/state-of-the-space-industrial-base-2021/ State of the Space Industrial Base 2020 https://cdn.afresearchlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/27223753/State-of-the-Space-Industrial-Base-2020-Report_July-2020_FINAL.pdf DIU Space https://www.diu.mil/solutions/portfolio#Space Multi-Orbit Logistics https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2020/02/05/the-pentagon-wants-a-roadside-assistance-service-in-space/ https://blog.executivebiz.com/2020/02/diu-seeks-vehicles-fuel-depots-for-space-logistics/ Outpost https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2020/07/16/defense-innovation-unit-issues-contract-for-unmanned-orbital-outpost/ http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=52649 Remote Sensing https://insidedefense.com/insider/diu-seeks-commercial-remote-sensing-technology Space Futures Workshop https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1101899.pdf