Today, Pathfinder turns the complexity up a notch by simultaneously welcoming two speakers onto the show. 

Matt Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau research, write, and develop coursework at the intersection of space and economics. They teach MBA students at a business school just outside of Boston (why yes, we are indeed referring to Harvard Business School). 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Altek Space, which provides custom manufacturing of essential parts and components for rockets and satellites, including smallsats. Find out more at https://www.altek-inc.com/space

Why is HBS so invested in space?

As Matt and Brendan wrote in a widely read Harvard Business Review essay, ”Your Company Needs a Space Strategy. Now.” The two join Ryan today to discuss the thinking behind this theory, along with: 

• Space-for-space vs. space-for-Earth
• What types of students study space at HBS?
• The most encouraging signs of “innovism” on orbit
• Why we’re living through an inflection point in space
• Should we prioritize human spaceflight or automation?
• The chicken and egg problem facing space station developers
• Could the commercial space market be in the middle of a bubble?

…and more! Ryan quizzes the two on how their “space strategy” framework would apply to sectors ranging from semiconductors to consumer packaged goods, and probes for areas where the two disagree. 

You don’t want to miss this convo—it’s bound to shape how you think about the economics of space. 

Chapters

00:00 – Intro 

02:54 — Matt + Brendan bios

03:50 — how’d you land here?

08:59 — why HBS is teaching about space

12:28 — professionalization of the space industry 

14:18 — who’s taking space courses at HBS 

17:36 — space hiring from Big Tech? 

21:30 — the industry is at an inflection point

25:18 — “Your Company Needs a Space Strategy. Now.” 

29:43 — Applying that theory to e-commerce…

31:03  …consumer packaged goods, and…

32:37 …semiconductors

34:23 — So…what’s HBS’s space strategy?!

35:45 — Data, capabilities, resources, and markets

37:04 — Space-for-space vs. space-for-Earth

41:36 — Private vs. public players 

43:44 — What in the world is innovism? 

47:39 — KPIs for commercial success in space 

55:32 — Thoughts on the launch market 

1:02:35 — Commercial space bubble?

1:05:06 — Lightning round

About us

Pathfinder is brought to you by Payload, a modern space media brand, and while we have designs on becoming the biggest space content company in the galaxy, for now, we publish: 1) Payload, our flagship daily newsletter, every Monday to Friday morning 2) Pathfinder, this podcast, on Tuesday mornings 3) ...and 💫Parallax!💫 on Thursday afternoons. 

Subscribe to our daily newsletter and find out more about Payload at www.payloadspace.com.