The Unknown Quantity

The Unknown Quantity explores how capital, and technologyshape the future of the space economy and deep tech markets.

 Hosted by ThomasAndrew Olson of the Center for Space Commerce and Finance and produced byBetter Futures Inc., the show breaks down regulatory risk, investment dynamics,and strategic decision making across the commercial space industry.

 Each episode isdesigned for founders, investors, policymakers, and industry professionalsseeking clear, structured insight into how space and emerging technologycompanies form, attract capital, manage risk, and scale. Special Guest GaryGilbert MBA author of Spacegirl II

The Unknown Quantity explores how capital, and technology shape the future of the space economy and deep tech markets.
Hosted by Thomas Andrew Olson of the Center for Space Commerce and Finance and produced by Better Futures Inc., the show breaks down regulatory risk, investment dynamics, and strategic decision making across the commercial space industry.
Each episode is designed for founders, investors, policymakers, and industry professionals seeking clear, structured insight into how space and emerging technology companies form, attract capital, manage risk, and scale.
Special Guest Professional Space Activist Aaron Oesterle.

The Unknown Quantity explores how capital, and technology shape the future of the space economy and deep tech markets.Hosted by Thomas Andrew Olson of the Center for Space Commerce and Finance and produced by Better Futures Inc., the show breaks down regulatory risk, investment dynamics, and strategic decision making across the commercial space industry.Each episode is designed for founders, investors, policymakers, and industry professionals seeking clear, structured insight into how space and emerging technology companies form, attract capital, manage risk, and scale.Special Guest CEO of Quub Joe Latrell.LiftPort Group

The Unknown Quantity explores how capital, and technology shape the future of the space economy and deep tech markets.Hosted by Thomas Andrew Olson of the Center for Space Commerce and Finance and produced by Better Futures Inc., the show breaks down regulatory risk, investment dynamics, and strategic decision making across the commercial space industry.Each episode is designed for founders, investors, policymakers, and industry professionals seeking clear, structured insight into how space and emerging technology companies form, attract capital, manage risk, and scale.

The Unknown Quantity explores how capital, and technology shape the future of the space economy and deep tech markets.Hosted by Thomas Andrew Olson of the Center for Space Commerce and Finance and produced by Better Futures Inc., the show breaks down regulatory risk, investment dynamics, and strategic decision making across the commercial space industry.Each episode is designed for founders, investors, policymakers, and industry professionals seeking clear, structured insight into how space and emerging technology companies form, attract capital, manage risk, and scale.LiftPort Group

The Unknown Quantity is hosted by Thomas Andrew Olson of the Center for Space Commerce and Finance and produced by Better Futures Inc.. The podcast examines how law, capital, and technology intersect to shape the future of the space economy and deep tech markets.Each episode explores legal structures, regulatory risk, investment dynamics, and strategic planning decisions that influence how space companies and emerging technology ventures form, attract capital, manage risk, and scale over time. The show is designed for founders, investors, policymakers, and industry professionals seeking clear, structured insight into the forces driving commercial space and advanced technology markets.

The Unknown Quantity · Camisha L. Simmons — January 12, 2026Camisha L. Simmons, attorney at Simmons Legal PLLC, joins The Unknown Quantity, a business and finance podcast focused on the commercial space industry, emerging technology, and investment strategy.Hosted by Thomas Andrew Olson of the Center for Space Commerce and Finance and produced by Better Futures Inc., the show examines how law, capital, and technology shape the future of the space economy and deep tech markets.Come join us as we explore the legal structure, regulatory risk, and strategic planning that drive how space and emerging technology companies grow, attract capital, and scale.

In this episode, we speak with Michael Laine, President of LiftPort Group, often referred to as the “space elevator guy,” about the business realities of building a Lunar space elevator.Rather than diving into speculation, the discussion centers on how capital intensive infrastructure projects are planned, financed, and approached over long time horizons, and what needs to be in place before concepts can move toward execution.If you work in aerospace, technology, policy, finance, or space systems, this episode offers a grounded look at how ambitious ideas are translated into structured plans, and where the hardest constraints tend to appear.

**The Unknown Quantity returns Monday with a focused discussion led by proponents of a provocative idea: data centers in space. This episode provides a forum for advocates to lay out the technical, regulatory, and economic case for placing computing infrastructure off Earth, and to address the most common points of skepticism directly. From launch capacity and orbital operations to power, cooling, and long-term viability, the conversation explores what would need to change for space-based data infrastructure to move from concept to execution. If you work in aerospace, technology, policy, or space systems, this episode offers a clear, structured look at how proponents see the path forward, and where the key challenges still lie. Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/show/2iU1MSuLike, share, and join the conversation, because the future is closer than it looks.**

The Unknown Quantity returns Monday with a Year in ReviewSpecial, closing out 2025 with one of the most respected voices in the spaceindustry. Joining us is Dr. David Livingston, widely regarded as the godfatherof space industry podcasting and the longtime host of The Space Show. In thisspecial episode, we take a wide-ranging look back at the biggest developments,turning points, and surprises of the year in space—commercial launches, policyshifts, industry consolidation, and what the trends of 2025 may signal for theyears ahead. With decades of experience covering the space economy, Dr.Livingston brings unmatched historical perspective and insight to theconversation.