Space Strategy

Latest Episodes:

63. Charles Miller and Jim Muncy: Trump's Starfleet, Settlement and Frontier Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, AFPC Senior Fellow in Defense Studies, Dr. Peter Garretson discusses President Trump's August 28, 2026 "Starfleet & Settlement" speech given at Johnson space center with space policy luminaries Charles Miller and Jim Muncy. In this speech, the President used the word "settlement" and "frontier" in the context of space and the Moon. The guests argue that these are not merely rhetorical flourishes but signal a fundamental transformation in how the U.S. approaches space—shifting from a government-run exploration program to a citizen-led, commercially driven settlement agenda analogous to America's westward expansion. Miller draws historical parallels to Jamestown and Plymouth, emphasizing that successful settlements require both living off the land (ISRU) and a viable export market, and that the same principles must apply to a Lunar settlement. Muncy highlights that the word "settlement" has been fiercely contested for decades within the aerospace establishment, making the president's explicit use of it historically significant. The discussion covers practical next steps, including establishing a Lunar Authority modeled on commercial real estate frameworks, accelerating fully reusable launch systems, and redirecting NASA to design its Lunar base with eventual handoff to private settlers in mind. Both guests also connect the frontier thesis to the preservation of American liberty and character, invoking Frederick Jackson Turner's 1893 essay on the closing of the frontier and arguing that reopening it in space is essential to preventing national decline. They discuss the implications for NASA and the U.S. military (Space Force and USSPACECOM). The episode concludes with optimism that the Trump administration, given its track record of bold space actions, may follow the speech with executive orders or legislation formalizing a space settlement agenda.

62. Steve Kwast: Building Space Logistics for a Robust Space Economy Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Peter Garretson sits down with Steve Kwast, Lt Gen, USAF (Ret.), PhD, Co-Founder and Chairman of SpaceBilt, Inc., to explore the infrastructure and logistics demands of an emerging Space Economy spanning Cislunar Space and beyond. During their discussion, they outline the strategic importance of space logistics to commerce and national security. They delve into the challenges and advantages of being a small company, and the impact of administration policies and executive orders. They assess the U.S. competitive position with respect to China and what’s at stake. Gen. Kwast also shares insights from his work with Congress and the Administration. The episode closes with a look at the recent White House initiative on Space Nuclear power, and what steps can be taken now to move things in the right direction.

61. Christopher Stone: Grading the Space Force's Vision of the Future May 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Peter Garretson sits down with ⁠Christopher Stone⁠ to assess two major recent developments in U.S. space policy: the December Executive Order on ⁠Ensuring American Space Superiority⁠, and the newly released Space Force ⁠Future Operating Environment 2040⁠ alongside its Objective Force. Together, they break down what the Space Force got right, what it got wrong, what's missing, and where U.S. space strategy should go from here.

60. Charles Miller: A Lunar Development Authority and What's at Stake on the Moon May 11, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Peter Garretson talks with serial Space Entrepreneur Charles Miller. They discuss Charles' latest piece Cracking the Code on the Lunar Economy. The two delve into the Evolved Lunar Architecture Study vision, its impact, the first instantiation of Artemis, and the latest changes following the NASA Ignition event. They focus on the Trump White House executive order's goals of Lunar Economic Development and garnering $50B in new private space investment, as well as what is at stake with regard to China. They analyze the utility of using an "Authority" to build the Moon base—and how it should be created, and who could / should create it. They review Miller's early work as a policy entrepreneur in the L5 Society (now NSS), creation of ProSpace, Space Frontier Foundation, and March Storm. Then his work founding Nanoracks, then Lynk Global. They examine his work on the NSSO Space Solar Power Study and on the USAF's Fast Space Study and their impact. They conclude with big picture discussion about what it means to 'win' and a space strategy worthy of the nation, and inspirational words for space entrepreneurs.

59. Heather Pringle: Building capacity through Innovation & Collaboration Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Peter Garretson talks with Heather Pringle, Maj Gen, USAF (Ret.), PhD, CEO of Space Foundation. They discuss the 2026 Space Symposium and its themes. 2026 marks a major shift from aspirational vision to concrete execution, with unprecedented scale in participation (343 exhibitors, 50+nations). The conversation covers the current trends: Golden Dome ($175B), NASA's Lunar Base ($20B), the SpaceX IPO ($1.75T valuation), and the increasing role of finance. They also address the importance of AI, the new demands for scale, and the need for a workforce to support it. They touch on the Space Foundation's work to ensure next generation talent, and the Space Generation Advisory Council. They close by talking about Pringle's career path, lessons learned from AFRL and the transition to Space Foundation, and the exciting conversations ahead to take the space ecosystem to the next level.

58. Ross Centers: The Strategic Moon, Safety Zones, Property Rights and Golden Dome Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Peter Garretson sits down with Ross Centers, CEO of Ethos Space explore his ambitious vision for creating large-scale space infrastructure. The conversation covers the Space Resources program at the Colorado School of Mines, the concept of a planetary sunshade, and Center’s work with the Planetary Sunshade Foundation—including how this ethical 'north star' shapes Ethos Space’s mission. They dive into critical infrastructure needs including landing pads (to avoid what Center’s refers to as 'hypersonic blunderbusses'), refueling stations, and Lunar Data centers. The discussion explores the national security implications of the Moon and the importance of securing the “Strategic Flank” in the Golden Dome framework. The converstion also examines space property rights and the necessity of establishing “facts on the ground,” drawing parallels between Billy Mitchell’s historical aviation vision and today’s Cislunar space challenges. Finally, they close by discussing the coming transformation of the U.S. Space Force from a “brownwater” force to a deep-space, “bluewater” force.

57. Dr. Sanjay Vijendran: The Space Solar Power Revolution Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

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.

56. Dr. Philip Lubin: Planetary Defense and Large-Scale Directed Energy Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Peter Garretson talks with Dr. Philip Lubin. Dr. Philip Lubin from the

UCSB Experimental Cosmology Group. Dr. Lubin discusses his groundbreaking work in laser technology and planetary defense, emphasizing the critical importance of protecting Earth from asteroid and comet impacts through innovative methods like directed energy systems and fragmentation techniques.

He introduces his unified planetary defense system concept called “Pulverize It”(PI), which utilizes existing launch vehicles, and explores the potential of large-scale laser arrays known as “DE-STAR” for various space applications, including power transmission and enabling faster space travel. The conversation focuses on developing a practical and affordable planetary defense system using current technology, with plans to present this concept to key decision-makers.

Find Dr. Lubin’s book on Directed Energy here, his list of papers here, and various simulation videos of Terminal Planetary Defense on their YouTube channel.

55. Fred Kennedy: Bringing the Nuclear Renaissance to Space Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

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.

54. Benjamin Johnis: Space Rescue Jul 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode Peter Garretson speaks with Senior Master Sergeant Benjamin Johnis, a Personnel Recovery Program Manager and former Air Force veteran, about rescue and personnel recovery in space. The discussion focused on space rescue capabilities and requirements. Benjamin presents his research on space rescue operations and discusses the challenges of developing a dedicated space rescue program, including his AFIT study on Lunar Search and Rescue (see related discussion).

The conversation covered technical aspects of space rescue vehicles, including the Dream Chaser and various existing systems, while addressing the geopolitical implications of space rescue capabilities and the need for international cooperation, particularly regarding China's advanced space programs. Benjamin emphasized the importance of establishing a Space Rescue Professional capability and outlined a 10-year plan for developing search and rescue capabilities in Cislunar space, while advocating for a Presidential Policy Directive to guide and coordinate government efforts in space rescue operations.

Related reading: Read his Constellation Design Evaluation for Lunar Surface Navigation, and examination of Commercial Space Rescue Vehicle Reentry Concepts. Look for his forthcoming publications in Air & Space Operations Review on developing USSF Space Rescue Professionals, and his AFIT PhD dissertation “The Space Rescue Blueprint: An Engineering Guide for In-Space Contingencies.”

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