The Space Policy Show

Why do we measure the growth of the space economy, and how should private and government investors view potential growth? Supply chains for space are comingled with those of other technology sectors, from earth resources to components to labor. Risks to the space supply chain run from navigating demand signals to anticipating a global marketplace. In this episode, host Colleen Stover talks to Andrew Berglund, Senior Policy Analyst at CSPS, and Jacklyn Buhrmann, an economist at Aerospace’...

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 I...

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 Couns...

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...

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 po...