What does it take to close the business case of space—and what factors should we be watching?  In this episode, Kelli Kedis Ogborn, vice president of space commerce & entrepreneurship at Space Foundation, is joined by Michael Mealling, General Partner at Starbridge Venture Capital, to explore how the commercial space sector is working to justify investment, scale sustainably, and deliver tangible economic returns. Together, they examine what it means to validate the broader economic promise of space: proving enduring market demand, securing anchor customers, and demonstrating that space-based solutions can compete in—and create—new markets. Michael shares candid insight into the investment landscape, the importance of capital-efficient growth, and the signals investors are watching as space matures from a frontier to a foundational domain of commerce. Tune in for a forward-looking discussion on how the business case for space is being built—and who’s paving the way for its long-term success. 

The Vector, from Space Commerce Institute at Space Foundation, covers the topics, trends, and insights driving the space ecosystem.  

Get the latest updates from The Vector by joining the quarterly newsletter at https://www.spacefoundation.org/cie/space-commerce-institute/the-vector/

How are lunar operations shaping the future of space exploration, and what role does the cislunar economy play in the next era of commercial space activity? In this episode, Kelli Kedis Ogborn, vice president of Space Commerce & Entrepreneurship at Space Foundation, sits down with Takeshi Hakamada, CEO of ispace, to explore the growing potential of lunar infrastructure and business opportunities beyond Earth's orbit. They discuss how companies like ispace are pioneering lunar landers, resource utilization, and sustainable operations to drive economic growth in the cislunar space. Takeshi shares insights into the challenges and breakthroughs in lunar exploration, the commercial viability of moon-based industries, and the global partnerships fueling this new frontier. Tune in to discover how the cislunar economy is evolving and what it means for the future of space commerce, innovation, and sustainability. 

The Vector, from Space Commerce Institute at Space Foundation, covers the topics, trends, and insights driving the space ecosystem.  

Get the latest updates from The Vector by joining the quarterly newsletter at https://www.spacefoundation.org/cie/space-commerce-institute/the-vector/

How is artificial intelligence revolutionizing space innovations and redefining autonomy in orbit? In this episode, Kelli Kedis Ogborn, vice president of Space Commerce & Entrepreneurship at Space Foundation, sits down with Lorenzo Feruglio, CEO and founder of AIKO, to discuss the game-changing role of AI in the space industry. They explore how machine learning and AI are streamlining mission operations, reducing repetitive tasks, and driving efficiency, scalability, and innovation in space exploration and commerce. Lorenzo also shares insights into the research and development behind these breakthroughs and offers strategies for fostering growth with cutting-edge AI solutions. Discover how AI is shaping the future of autonomous operations in space and creating endless opportunities for innovation in this dynamic and rapidly evolving sector. 

The Vector, from Space Commerce Institute at Space Foundation, covers the topics, trends, and insights driving the space ecosystem.  

Get the latest updates from The Vector by joining the quarterly newsletter at https://www.spacefoundation.org/cie/space-commerce-institute/the-vector/

How can space drive economic growth and strengthen national security? Join Kelli Kedis Ogborn, Vice President of Space Commerce & Entrepreneurship at Space Foundation, and Kevin O'Connell, President and CEO of Space Economy Rising, LLC, as they discuss the emerging business models shaping the space economy and how countries can expand their roles in this dynamic ecosystem. Drawing from global insights and private discussions with government leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs, Kevin shares actionable strategies for fostering innovation, enabling effective governance, and building diverse talent pipelines. Learn why “status quo is not an option” in the rapidly evolving space economy and how leveraging space can enhance both economic and national security outcomes.

The Vector, from Space Commerce Institute at Space Foundation, covers the topics, trends, and insights driving the space ecosystem.  

Get the latest updates from The Vector by joining the quarterly newsletter at https://www.spacefoundation.org/cie/space-commerce-institute/the-vector/

The commercial space industry is transforming rapidly, with private companies driving innovation and accessibility like never before. Join Kelli Kedis Ogborn, Space Foundation Vice President of Space Commerce & Entrepreneurship, and Kevin Lausten, President of Morpheus Space, as they discuss how advancements in space mobility are reshaping operations and the role of private companies in this transformation. Kevin shares insights from Morpheus Space's work and his 23 years of industry expertise to shed light on the future of space commerce.

The Vector, from Space Commerce Institute at Space Foundation, covers the topics, trends, and insights driving the space ecosystem.  

Get the latest updates from The Vector by joining the quarterly newsletter at https://www.spacefoundation.org/cie/space-commerce-institute/the-vector/

How do we protect critical assets in space? Join Kelli Kedis Ogborn, Vice President of Space Commerce & Entrepreneurship at Space Foundation, and Lt Gen John Shaw, USSF (Ret), as they share insights into the vital role of Space Domain Awareness in national security. They'll explore current threats, strategies for safeguarding the space environment, and the evolving landscape of defense in the space sector.

The Vector, from Space Commerce Institute at Space Foundation, covers the topics, trends, and insights driving the space ecosystem.  

Get the latest updates from The Vector by joining the quarterly newsletter at https://www.spacefoundation.org/cie/space-commerce-institute/the-vector/ 

Is your company defense ready? Join Kelli Kedis Ogborn, Vice President of Space Commerce & Entrepreneurship at Space Foundation, and Sean McKay, Owner & CEO of Precision ISR Consulting, as we explore the ways companies can design and prepare their technology for both commercial and defense applications.

The Vector, from Space Commerce Institute at Space Foundation, covers the topics, trends, and insights driving the space ecosystem.  

Get the latest updates from The Vector by joining the quarterly newsletter at https://www.spacefoundation.org/cie/space-commerce-institute/the-vector/ 

Want to know how the space industry has changed over the past year? Tune in as Lesley Conn, Director of Research & Digital Programming at Space Foundation, explores the latest changes and highlights from The Space Report Q2 2024. 

The Vector, from Space Commerce Institute at Space Foundation, covers the topics, trends, and insights driving the space ecosystem.  

Get the latest updates from The Vector by joining the quarterly newsletter at https://www.spacefoundation.org/cie/space-commerce-institute/the-vector/ 

How can commercial space entities approach sustainability strategically? Listen to Chris Blackerby, Chief Operating Officer of Astroscale, a leading on-orbit servicing company, as he discusses their approach to creating a sustainable infrastructure to decrease risk and increase value in space with host Kelli Kedis Ogborn. 

The Vector, from Space Commerce Institute at Space Foundation, covers the topics, trends, and insights driving the space ecosystem.  

Get the latest updates from The Vector by joining the quarterly newsletter at https://www.spacefoundation.org/cie/space-commerce-institute/the-vector/ 

How will space sustainability efforts today impact the global space ecosystem tomorrow? Join Dr. Peter Martinez, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation, and host Kelli Kedis Ogborn to learn more about the paradigms shaping space sustainability conversations among stakeholders worldwide. 

The Vector is brought to you by Space Commerce Institute at Space Foundation. To tune in live, listen on other platforms, and learn more about Space Commerce Institute programs, please visit http://bit.ly/sci_links.