Deep Space Podcast

Joining us in this episode of the “Human Exploration and Science” series of our Deep Space Podcast is Dr. Ellen Stofan, John and Adrienne Mars Director of the National Air and Space Museum, and former NASA Chief Scientist.  
 
In a conversation with the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration CEO and President Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, Dr. Stofan speaks about the rationale behind space science and human deep space exploration. For Stofan, who has spent time studying the behavior and composition of volcanoes on Mars, Venus and Saturn’s moon Titan, what really drives space science is understanding how the Earth works. As a geologist and planetary scientist, Stofan also explains why it is critical to not only focus on space science, but to send humans into deep space to explore in the field, and why Mars is our horizon goal for human space exploration. Dr. Dittmar and Dr. Stofan also touch on the diversity challenges we still face in the space field, and why space exploration is worth the world’s effort and investment, even as we go through a global crisis. 

In this week’s episode of the Deep Space Podcast, Nanoracks CEO Jeffrey Manber, a true pioneer of space entrepreneurship, joins the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration CEO and President Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar to discuss how the space sector has evolved from having mostly government actors to having both governmental and private players working together to advance exploration.

Nanoracks has provided cost savings to private individuals wanting to use the International Space Station (ISS) for various technological and scientific purposes. The company has also enabled commercial use of the U.S. side of the ISS to international customers. Manber explains what it took for Nanoracks to become the very first company in the world to own and market their own hardware on the ISS, discusses the ISS legacy, and shares his thoughts on returning to the Moon.

Learn more about Nanoracks:
@Nanoracks
nanoracks.com

In this week’s episode of the Deep Space Podcast, Axiom CEO Mike Suffredini walks us through his transition from being NASA’s International Space Station manager to being a space entrepreneur, and what it takes to be in the space business. A firm believer in the immense importance of space exploration in the life of Earthlings, he speaks to the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration CEO and President Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar about how his vision fits NASA’s plans for deep space exploration. 

Just this year, Axiom was awarded a NASA contract to provide at least one habitable commercial module to be attached to the International Space Station (ISS), as the agency opens the orbiting laboratory for commercial use and ramps up deep space exploration. Suffredini discusses the different ways in which private companies can support a presence in low Earth orbit. 

Learn more about Axiom:
@Axiom_Space
axiomspace.com


Follow the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration:
@XploreDeepSpace
www.exploredeepspace.com 

The second episode of our podcast premiere features Made In Space’s President Andrew Rush. In this episode, Rush speaks with the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration CEO and President Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar about the role of on-orbit manufacturing and assembly in space exploration. Our guest also discusses Made In Space joining the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Made In Space was founded about ten years ago with a focus on enabling people to live permanently in space. So far, the company has printed about 200 objects aboard the International Space Station. But their vision goes further, as the Made In Space team is using lessons learned to support future sustainable deep space exploration. Andrew Rush discusses potential future activities, including manufacturing lunar surface habitats or Gateway components in orbit, making missions safer by building and fixing tools locally in real time, and using their new Archinaut facility to manufacture and assemble satellites in space for critical activities. 

Learn more about CDSE member company Made In Space:
@MadeInSpace
MadeInSpace.com

Follow the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration:
@XploreDeepSpace
www.exploredeepspace.com 

Our “Entrepreneurs in Space” series’ first episode features John Thornton of Astrobotic, who talks with the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration (CDSE) CEO and President Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar about developing a completely new business model and knocking on doors until people started believing in the project. Thornton speaks about Astrobotic’s vision for making the Moon accessible to the world, which for him and his team starts with transportation. 

Astrobotic is developing commercial lunar landers. That’s right: for the first time in history, private Moon landers will take science experiments and technology to the lunar surface. The company’s first lander, Peregrine, is launching next year and will enable testing of various technologies that are key for Artemis, NASA’s program to return humans to the Moon in this decade. Another one of their landers, Griffin, will be launching VIPER, NASA’s water-seeking Moon rover.

Learn more about CDSE member company Astrobotic:
@astrobotic
www.astrobotic.com

Follow the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration:
@XploreDeepSpace
www.exploredeepspace.com 

Introduction to the Deep Space Podcast's first series, Entrepreneurs in Space

It’s the dawn of a new era in space exploration. With NASA moving beyond low Earth orbit in a sustainable manner, a new wave of entrepreneurs can help with modern space goals. Going to deep space sustainably means that NASA and its commercial partners need to save on the cost of maintaining a presence in low Earth orbit, develop mechanisms to lower launch expenses, and think of ways to use space resources to be able to travel farther in the next decades. From developing habitable modules for the International Space Station, to advancing on-orbit 3D printing, entrepreneurs are playing an important role in space. The small steps that government and industry are taking now, together, will shape the next fifty years of exploration.

The first series of the Deep Space Podcast focuses on space entrepreneurship. In each episode, the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration’s CEO and President Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar digs into the role of the smaller space companies that are making a big impact in space innovation. Four space entrepreneurs join Dr. Dittmar to talk about how their companies went from concept to reality, how they developed their business models, and how their innovative ideas fit into the bigger exploration picture. 

The four companies featured in the first series of the Deep Space Podcast are Coalition members Astrobotic, Made In Space, Nanoracks, and Axiom. Executives from these companies walk listeners through some fascinating details about their businesses’ journeys. Tune in to the first two episodes featuring Astrobotic and Made In Space when the podcast premiers on Tuesday, July 7.