Space Strategy

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.

In this episode, Senior Fellow Peter Garretson interviews best-selling author Howard Bloom and founder of the Space Development Steering Committee. They discuss fundamental motivations for developing and settling space—humanity's destiny—and the roles that NASA and the Space Force are called to play to support that purpose. They focus on how to balance near-term threats and priorities vs. the power of Cislunar to determine the future. Howard discusses the opportunity cost of the current expandable architecture, and the possibilities suggested by reusable systems like a SpaceX’s Starship. He ends with an urgent plea to the Administration to get Starship flying without delay.

About Howard:

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Dennis Wingo, CEO of SkyCorp, Inc. and author of Moonrush. They discuss the strategic rationale for space development and industrialization, the strategic importance of the Moon, the grand strategy consequences of failure, and the proper division of labor between government and the private sector. Dennis lays out a vision for Lunar development, and concrete policy steps to mobilize private capital and accelerate Lunar industrial development.

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:

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Jean-Jacques Tortora, Director of the European Space Policy Institute in Vienna.  They talk about European space policy, the organization and roles of the European Space Agency (ESA), European Commission (EC), NATO, and member states. They discuss changes in how Europe is thinking about the security dimension of space. They also cover European perspectives on natural and man-made threats (Near Earth Objects, Solar Flares, Debris, Congested Traffic, ASATs), and a vision for global governance in space. They discuss the Russian ASAT test, change in NATO posture, French Defense Space Strategy, China & Russia's International Lunar Research Station, the Artemis program, Artemis Accords, a vision for space commerce, and opportunities for U.S.-European space cooperation.

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:

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Dean Cheng, a Senior Research Fellow with the Heritage Foundation on Chinese political and security affairs. They discuss modern China, whether it is a peer or near-peer, whether it is totalitarian or a dictatorship, what are its national interests, and how the regime thinks about space. They examine China's global and space ambitions, the reasons for its behavior and adversarial stand, its Lunar, Mars, Space station and anti-satellite and orbital hypersonic program and its capabilities, its military reorganization, whether it can innovate and what policymakers and the Space Force must do in response.

Dean Cheng:

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Kevin O'Connell, Founder and CEO of Space Economy Rising, and former Director of the Office of Space Commerce. They discuss the Kevin's time at Commerce, including the three types of entrepreneurs: the disruptors, the inventors, and the infrastructure builders. Kevin details the history and future of the Office of Space Commerce, and the appropriate roles for government within markets. They outline work to improve the methodology for measuring the space economy and the U.S. proportion of the broader $450 billion space economy, which enables >$5 Trillion in economic value to the U.S. They cover the various current and emerging space sectors, the problems and opportunities of proliferating satellite mega constellations, debris, space traffic management and active debris removal. They predict how reusability and On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Maintenance will change the economics of space. They detail the imperative to regulate at the speed of business, and how the U.S. may lose companies overseas if its regulation is too tight. They speak to the potential for the cislunar economy and the need for enabling infrastructure, resource exploration, and new services to better life on Earth. Next, they discuss space resources, asteroid mining, the Starship Singularity, and the challenge of China. Kevin outlines the need to energize the human capital talent base, and in general, that this is "a game of offense not defense" and that the U.S. needs to run faster. Finally, they close with a discussion on the possibility of space settlements, the role of U.S. states, a space agenda worthy of the nation, and what work remains undone and opportunities for the new administration's space council.

Kevin O’Connell:

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Todd Harrison, Director of Defense Budget Analysis, Director of the Aerospace Security Project, and Senior Fellow with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS). They discuss the role of thinking tanks in helping policymakers ask the right questions, and what Todd sees as the most important question at present: How to improve protection of our critical space assets. Their talk focuses on the importance of space to our nation both militarily and economically. They cover the history and emergence of the Space Force and Todd's thoughts on a separate department and consolidation of the NRO. They discuss the changed orientation and priorities of the Biden administration and what major policy initiatives are left undone, including on norms, regulation and licensing. They assess the recent Chinese hypersonic and perhaps fractional orbital bombardment test, the contribution of a sensing layer to missile defense, the technical concerns with space-based missile defense. They close by speaking about Space Force Acquisition reform, and end with a discussion of a space agenda worthy of the nation.

Todd:

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:

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews George Pullen, Chief Economist of Milky Way Economy, a Fifth Industrial Revolution think tank and boutique consultancy based in Washington, DC. They discuss alternate markets, the space industry, and the space economy—its size and how it is expected to grow to exceed $4T, and why it is important to US national security. They examine the coming 5th industrial revolution in space, including the expectation of 6-12 commercial space stations engaged in biotech and extreme high purity products, and eventually large-scale manufacturing and the use of space resources, including rare earths. They outline important roles for government to help create supporting infrastructure (including the 'guard rails' on transportation), ensure freedom of movement, establish international norms of behavior, and provide search and rescue functions. They put forward visions for settlement, and the increasing maturity of Space Solar Power. They discuss the Space Force and its need to balance its dual role to support the other terrestrial armed forces as well as to 'extend out. They consider the opportunity that a US-India partnership offers for the brightest future. Finally, they conclude discussing what is a space agenda worthy of the nation, and what it would take to get there.

George Pullen:

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews General John Olson from Headquarters Space Force. They discuss the new 2021 State of the Space Industrial Base Report and its findings and recommendations, including the hybrid space architecture, JADC2, space mobility and logistics, and the space super highway, and the need to build a Cislunar Econosphere and ensure its ecurity. They also cover the strong sense of urgency felt by the participants at this inflection point in history, and the need for a bold 'North Star' vision to unite all elements of national power to become a true spacefaring nation.

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Tim Chrisman, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for the Future (F4F). They discuss the need for space infrastructure and logistics and associated financing. Tim describes the Foundation for the Future's Space Corporation concept, efforts by the Foundation to create a broader conversation about space infrastructure, as well as several big infrastructure ideas. They outline the challenge the US faces in China, and the critical role space will play in the determination of the future our children will live in. Finally, they cover what sort of space agenda is worthy of the nation, and how F4F is working with Congress to create a new arm to enable a brighter future and millions of new jobs.

In this episode, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies Peter Garretson interviews Theresa Hitchens, space pundit, NATO and nuclear war expert, former UN diplomat, and now space reporter for Breaking Defense. They discuss her essay, "How ‘The Expanse’ Is A Cautionary Tale For Real World Space Commercialization," exploring its parallels to current commercial space development and regulation, and parallels to history. Next, they address the utility of science fiction to strategy, and why strategists should read scifi. They cover the benefits space brings to understanding our reality, to economic benefits today, to future economic benefits from space resources, the human need as a migratory species to expand and explore and to ensure survival. They outline the importance of sustaining space as a resource for human betterment; avoiding conflict that may be unnecessary over resources, dampening tensions and misunderstandings among nation states. Additionally, they detail the PRC's space weapons program and the utility of norms. They also discuss Space Force, 'warfighting,' military space doctrine, nuclear deterrence, SDI, norms and commercial regulation. Finally, they close by talking about opportunities before the National Space Council and Space Force / USSPACECOM leadership to address current problems as well as shape the far future.

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 a warfighting domain, China, spacepower theory (Dolman’s Astropolitics vs Bowen’s Continental Seapower), arms control, the record of the National Space Council’s space policy directives, their rational and significance. The speakers cover the possible futures in space depending on whether we can live off the land and pay our own way leading to different analogies: settlements, ‘Everest’, ‘McMurdo’, and deep sea drilling platforms. They provide details about space property rights, development and industrialization, asteroid defense and how it is getting worked into the missions of the agencies such as NASA and DoD. Finally, they discuss opportunities available to the new administration and space council and define a space agenda worthy of our nation and its values.

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 dive into AFRL's past successes such as DSX, Eagle/Mycroft and their impact on deterrence, as well as current experiments such as NTS-3, SPIDER, and CHPS. Then the focus shifts to a discussion on how the Space Force is considering an exciting future of Cislunar commerce, the possibility of space mining, power beaming, settlements and on-orbit servicing, assembly and maintenance (OSAM), and future roles and missions including the defense of commerce, planetary defense, search and rescue which might arise. They provide a definition for the meaning of "warfighting" and how it forms a lens for investment to ensure deterrence. Finally the close with a discussion on the working culture of both Space Force and AFRL, and the "opportunity to shape the opportunity."

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 surface awareness, as well as deep space search and rescue and planetary defense. They also cover how Tyler got interested in Cislunar, what made him join the Space Force, what it is like to be a guardian, and how the Space Force's culture is evolving.

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 benefits that accrue to the first-mover. They consider how NASA is fulfilling its charter to maximize commercial participation through investments in space commercialization, space industrialization, the scale of space resources, in-situ resource utilization and on-orbit servicing assembly and maintenance (OSAM), public-private-partnerships, and the role of government in building a vibrant commercial sector. They review whole-of-nation tie-ins to Artemis, including DOE, USGS, and cooperation memos with USSPACECOM and USSF. They cover the key technologies the US must advance for a spacefaring future of development and settlement. They examine NASA's role in planetary defense and resource mapping. They discuss NASA's charter to " to the maximum extent possible, the fullest commercial use of space." They conclude with the actions necessary for America to sustain its leadership.

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 private spaceflight, in-space logistics, and in-space manufacturing. Mandy discusses the challenges brought by lowered cost of access and the global competitiveness challenges associated with the 'rise of the rest.'  They discuss the implications of seeing space as critical infrastructure, the need for a 'Northstar Vision' (and how to socialize it for bi-partisan sustainment), the need for STEM builders to enable scale, and how to knit together international partnerships. They end by discussing a number of potential topics ripe for consideration as executive orders, the urgent need for action...and whether we are persuaded to act.

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 weapons, classification issues, space traffic management, Space Force roles and missions, and a positive agenda for international cooperation and space norms.

Victoria Samson:

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 answer, Space Force's Rocket Cargo program, China's hypersonic program, the movement and settlement of space, commercial roles, the drive of commercial space to make humanity multiplanetary, advanced space propulsion, and next steps for U.S. space policy.

Bill Bruner:

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 from discovery-centric to commerce-centric approaches and architectures, and the role policy and the military can play to promote a rules-based order. They explore the necessity of taking a Cislunar approach, and the posture necessary to leverage the private sector to remain competitive. They examine re-usable space logistics architectures including rocket cargo, and the imperative for the Secretary of the Air Force to work the seam between Air and Space to make sure requirements allow interoperability and transit between the two domains. They assess who has agency in the Joint Requirements System to build the architecture of tomorrow. Gen Cartwright provides insights on how USSPACECOM will be a supported domain and how space is unique and different because of our reliance on machines and eventually AI. Finally, Gen Cartwright stresses the importance for the nation to focus on the transition to a commerce-centric approach to the Space domain and the critical role of the Space Force in supporting commerce.

General Cartwright:

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 mega-sats in GEO, human spaceflight, the wealth and carrying capacity of the Asteroid belt, and the ultimate big picture of spreading Earth life. They discuss the specifics of asteroid mining and Lunar mining for water ice, the different scales of ambition between NASA and the private sector, and the need for NASA and Space Force to leverage the private sector to enable efficiencies approaching 10x. Joel provides a grand vision of our future, and lays out the key roles for NASA, FAA, Commerce, and Space Force. They also discuss the threats of Coronal Mass Ejections and Asteroid strikes -- and how TransAstra's Sutter Telescope network and Apis architecture could provide solutions.

Joel Sercel info:

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 the considerations that impact U.S.-China space cooperation. She also explains how freedom in space is critical to avoiding foreign dependence and how the U.S. must build both a resilient military space architecture and must not surrender global leadership in pursuing aspirational and inspirational space goals.

Oriana:

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 jeopardy -- and what is at stake.

Gen Butow:

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:

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 bio:

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 and potential Space Policy Directives to keep the US on track.

John Mankins

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 Force Astronauts, the grand destiny of American spacefaring, strategic will, and what the Space Force must "be prepared to" do.

Schriever Scholars Strategy Seminar

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 incentives to ensure U.S. leadership.

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.

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 international leadership, and the need for a national vision for space exploration and development.  Doug also shares his thoughts on leadership from below in government, and strategies to advance policy conversations.