The Space Hour

The commercial space industry is growing rapidly, and states across the country are looking for ways to take part—sometimes competing for investment, but increasingly recognizing where collaboration makes more sense. At the same time, the U.S. faces growing gaps in launch capacity, reentry infrastructure and supply chains that will need to be addressed as activity in space accelerates. I had the chance to talk about how states can help build that capacity and coordinate around a broader national strategy. Joining us again is Kelly Keatis Ogborn, strategic advisor for global markets and industry engagement at the Commercial Space Federation.

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We’re talk again with our guest about the future of automation in space with the folks from Icarus robotics. As commercial activity in orbit expands, robots could take on more of the routine work—from moving cargo and maintaining space stations to supporting manufacturing and servicing infrastructure. We’ll get an update on what they're working on and some new endeavors they decided to take on from one the company's co-founders Ethan Barajas.

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NASA leaders are pursuing multipronged efforts to strengthen workforce capabilities, with emphasis on comprehensive training for its procurement wing. NASA’s distinctly no-fail mission area adds unique layers of stress and risk to the agency’s contracting cadre. To find out what measures the agency is taking to make it has the expertise needed to stay ahead of the curve, Federal News Network's Terry Gerton spoke to Marvin Horne, he's Deputy Assistant Administrator for Procurement at NASA.

Find the full interview here: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-insights/2026/06/nasas-fuel-for-acquisition-innovation-adversity-and-opportunity/

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A new generation of super heavy lift rockets promises to transform access to space, but history suggests bigger doesn't always mean better. A new paper examines the economic realities, market forces, and commercial opportunities that could determine whether these massive launch vehicles reshape the space economy or fall short of expectations. Joining us to discuss those findings is one of the paper's authors Karen Jones, Senior Policy Analyst for the Center for Space Policy and Strategy at the Aerospace Corporation.

https://csps.aerospace.org/papers/super-heavy-lift-launch-unlocking-future-space

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The Department of Homeland Security is developing new tools and guidance to help make space systems more resilient and safeguard the critical infrastructure they support. Joining me earlier to discuss these efforts is Ernest Wong, technical lead at the DHS Science and Technology Directorate.

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As the U.S. Space Force continues to build out its force design, one key challenge is how to place Guardians in roles where they can perform at their best. The Pentagon is testing new ways to identify individual capabilities and use them in assignment and career decisions. The approach focuses on measurable performance rather than credentials alone. Joining Federal News Network's Terry Gerton to explain what's changed to support this approach is Senior Scientist and Portfolio Lead at Aptima, Julia Brown.

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A new competition is aiming to rethink how researchers access space, using a runway-launched spaceplane designed for rapid, repeatable missions instead of traditional one-off rocket launches. To explore how this “runway-to-space” model could accelerate microgravity research and lower barriers to space testing, I talked to Stefan Powell, CEO of Dawn Aerospace, the company behind the challenge.

https://www.dawnaerospace.com/suborbital-spaceplane-challenge

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As space becomes increasingly central to national security, the challenge is no longer just putting assets in orbit—it's connecting information, systems, and operators across the entire battlespace. For a discussion on how the space sector is evolving, the role of innovative companies in supporting military and intelligence missions, and why breaking down technology silos is critical to the future of space operations I spoke with Damian DiPippa, CEO of Auria Space.

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Not all asteroids are created equal. New research suggests that the smallest asteroids near Earth may come from different sources than their larger counterparts, offering new clues about where meteorites come from and how potentially hazardous space rocks behave. I had the chance to discuss the findings with the man in charge of that research, Dr. Nick Moskovitz of Lowell Observatory.

https://lowell.edu/press-release-new-study-reveals-big-compositional-shift-in-small-near-earth-asteroids/

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What happens when you combine satellite internet, precision positioning, and smart machines? The result could be better connectivity, more automation, and real-time data in places where traditional networks don't reach. New technology is helping tractors, trucks, and mining equipment stay connected in some of the world's most remote locations. To learn more, we talked with Michael Schramm, Co-Founder and CEO of Nordian.

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