Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode of the Space Policy Pioneers Podcast, host Andy Williams, the Director of Science in Space, interviews guest Laura Delgado Lopez, Senior Policy Analyst at NASA Science Mission Directorate. Laura shares her journey into the world of space policy, various career paths one can take in the industry, and the importance of international space cooperation. Conversations are geared towards career advice for aspiring space policy enthusiasts and include critical topics like sustainability challenges in space, diversifying the industry, and the practicalities of working for big organizations like NASA. Laura also discusses her role in policy-making, global implications of these policies, and her current research on international space cooperation in Latin America.

NOTE: Unfortunately, there was a technical issue during the recording, which resulted in less-than-optimal audio quality. Listening with headphones is recommended!

Bio: Laura Delgado López is a Senior Policy Analyst at the NASA Science Mission Directorate’s Policy Branch, which provides policy support to the science leadership of the Agency. As a 2023-2024 Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow, she is currently on leave from NASA and is conducting research on international space cooperation in Latin America at the Americas Program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Originally from Puerto Rico, Laura has worked in space policy in the Washington, DC, area for nearly 15 years. Prior to NASA, Laura was an advocacy lead at Harris Corporation’s Space and Intelligence Systems Segment, a Project Manager at the Secure World Foundation (SWF), the Earth Observations Associate at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, and a correspondent for SpacePolicyOnline.com. Ms. Delgado López is a former Editor-in-Chief of Elsevier’s Space Policy journal, the premier peer-reviewed publication for the interdisciplinary study of space policy, and serves on the SWF Advisory Committee. Her research has focused on space politics and policy, international cooperation, and public opinion, and has been featured in Space Policy, Astropolitics, Space News, among other publications. She enjoys working with early career professionals and regularly volunteers as a mentor in the space community. Ms. Delgado López holds an M.A. in international science and technology with a focus on space policy from the George Washington University and a B.A. in political science from the University of Puerto Rico. https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-delgado-lopez

Disclaimer: All guests are talking in their personal capacity and are not representing any official position of their former or current employing organization.

Episode Guide:

00:05 Introduction to the Space Policy Pioneers Podcast

01:14 Guest Introduction: Laura Delgado Lopez

01:51 Laura's Journey into Space Policy

03:29 The Role of Passion and Interest in Space Policy

05:01 Laura's Career Path and Experiences

08:04 The Importance of Diverse Experiences and Mentorship

12:49 Working in Different Policy Fields: Industry vs Government

16:05 Experience with Space Policy Online

19:28 Working at NASA: The Dream Space Policy Job

25:50 Role in the Advisory Committee for the Secure World Foundation

28:41 Future Challenges in Space Policy

32:02 Research on International Space Cooperation in Latin America

36:16 Advice for Early Career Space Policy Enthusiasts

39:58 Laura's Big Picture and Role in the Space Policy Field

42:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links and Resources

Companies and organisations

NASA Science Mission Directorate: https://science.nasa.gov/

Dr Jens Feeley: https://science.nasa.gov/people/dr-jens-feeley/

NASA Careers: https://www.nasa.gov/careers/

National Academies: Science Engineering Medicine: https://www.nationalacademies.org/

Secure World Foundation: https://swfound.org/

SWF Director, Peter Martinez: https://swfound.org/about-us/our-team/dr-peter-martinez/

L3Harris: https://www.l3harris.com/

Centre for Strategic and International Studies: https://www.csis.org/

Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/copuos/index.html

Space Generation Advisory Council https://spacegeneration.org

Education

George Washington University: https://politicalscience.columbian.gwu.edu/

Elliot School of International Affairs: https://elliott.gwu.edu/international-science-and-technology-policy

GWU Space Policy Institute: https://spi.elliott.gwu.edu/

Fellowships and Internships

Truman Fellowship: https://www.truman.gov/

Lloyd V Berkner Space Policy Internship: https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/lloyd-v-berkner-space-policy-internship-program

Space Policy Information Sources SpaceNews: https://spacenews.com/

Space Policy Online: https://spacepolicyonline.com/

Marcia Smith: https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline

SWF Newsletter: https://swfound.org/news/newsletters/