The Kármán Line

Haymarket Media Group Ltd

Interested in the business of space? Dr Alice Bunn, former-international director of UK Space Agency and now president of UKspace, helps you identify investment opportunities, cut through policy and regulation, assemble your supply chains and get stuff done.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3d ago

    Alisha Fuller-Armah: A story so sensational it made Alice Bunn cry

    How can a malleable, plant-based bio-leather grown off-grid in Scotland transform under extreme heat into an RF-transparent, rock-like ceramic shield? What does Draconite mean for the economics of spacecraft re-entry and thermal protection systems? How does self-taught material science disrupt traditional "old space" gatekeeping and university lab paradigms? What are the dual-use applications of biomimetic thermal shields across space re-entry, defence satellite protection, and terrestrial wildfire mitigation? Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with the astonishing Alisha Fuller-Armah, CEO and founder of Draconite, about her journey from scaling a Caribbean wedding venue to inventing a self-vitrifying, plastic-free thermal protection material and proving it works by pointing a blow torch at her own hand! Contributors: Alice Bunn, President of UKspace  Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn   Jonathan Davies, The Karman Line Jonathan Davies | LinkedIn The Karman Line | LinkedIn Alisha Fuller-Armah, CEO & Founder, Draconite Alisha Fuller-Armah | LinkedIn Key topics covered: Draconite bio-based thermal shield technologySelf-vitrification and heat-soak insulation vs. traditional ablationRF transparency during re-entry communicationsOff-grid, low-cost cellulose fermentation & sovereign manufacturingUK Space Agency Accelerator & scaling deep techDefence applications (anti-laser satellite shrouds)Overcoming academic gatekeeping through self-taught sciencePFAS-free, traceless, and non-toxic space materialsTerrestrial wildfire and passive fire protection Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Alisha Fuller-Armah: A story so sensational it made Alice Bunn cry

  2. Sep 11

    The UK National Space Strategy: Groundbreaking Government commitment but no new money

    Does the Government's latest space strategy properly connect defence, civil policy and commercial space growth? How will the MOD and DSIT merge procurement approaches? What are the specific outcomes targeted across the four core focus areas: Satcoms, Space Domain Awareness, Launch, and In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing? How do freedom of action and assured access balance sovereign UK capabilities with NATO and ESA alliances? And what major regulatory, insurance, and procurement changes are coming down the line? Join Jonners and Stephanie Ayres, Head of Policy at UKspace, as they debate whether the machinery of Government is fully backing a practical blueprint for picking winners and driving national security and economic growth or delivering just another false dawn. Contributors: Jonathan Davies, The Karman Line Jonathan Davies | LinkedIn  The Karman Line | Website Stephanie Ayres, Head of Policy UKspace Stephanie Ayres | LinkedIn  UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn Key topics covered: New National Space Strategy overview MOD and DSIT procurement alignment Government as an "anchor customer" Four core capability pillars (Satcoms, SDA, Launch, ISAM) Sovereign ISR and Space Control Freedom of action vs. Allied integration (NATO/ESA) Assured launch (SaxaVord & Spaceport Cornwall) "Picking winners" and targeted funding awards Regulatory and insurance sandboxes (City of London) Enterprise Category Management and cross-departmental governance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The UK National Space Strategy: Groundbreaking Government commitment but no new money

  3. Sep 3

    Hetti Barkworth-Nanton: Turning swords into ploughshares

    How does Ploughshare turn Ministry of Defence owned R&D into commercial businesses serving wider society? Why has commercialising defence technology historically been "suboptimal," and how is the newly launched Technology and Growth Alliance (TAG) shifting the dial? How can classified innovations be declassified by separating the underlying core technology from its military application? What structural changes are required in UK venture capital to build "bolder, braver" scale-ups capable of navigating defence procurement and space markets? Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, CEO of Ploughshare, about how to take brilliant defence innovation out of Government labs and apply it to wider commercial markets like healthcare and telecoms. Plus, navigating the rules, regulations and protection rackets. “No, you can’t go speak to the Minister”. Contributors: Alice Bunn, President of UKspace  Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn   Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn The Karman Line | LinkedIn Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE, CEO, Ploughshare Hetti Barkworth-Nanton | LinkedIn Ploughshare | LinkedIn Key topics covered: Commercialising defence R&D & Ploughshare's missionThe Technology and Growth Alliance (TAG)Declassifying top-secret defence techReverse dual-useCultural shifts in academia and corporate defence primesSpace and defence tech synergyDefence procurement challengesThe Defence Investment Plan (DIP)UK venture capital gapsFunding dual-use scale-upsPurpose-driven leadership & organisational culture Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hetti Barkworth-Nanton: Turning swords into ploughshares

  4. Aug 27

    Satellite Applications Catapult: Ruthless selection, world-class winners, and executive engineers

    How does the Satellite Applications Catapult evaluate and select "high-potential" space ventures? What role does commercial matchmaking, tech validation, and international growth strategy play in scaling startups into global leaders? How can the UK shift from passive R&D grants to an "Olympic-style" industrial policy that goes all-in on world-class space "winners"? What structural changes—such as rapid regulatory approvals, sovereign capital funds, and secure defence gateways—are needed to cut a path through the space growth jungle? Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with John Abbott, CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult, about the ruthless selection strategies to unleash businesses with the highest potential for growth. And why this process is worth it, even if you pass on The Beatles. Contributors: Alice Bunn, President of UKspace  Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn   Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn The Karman Line | LinkedIn John Abbott, CEO, Satellite Applications Catapult John Abbott | LinkedIn Satellite Applications Catapult | LinkedIn Key topics covered:  Satellite ApplicationsCatapult operating model & impactEvaluating "high-potential" space businessesOpen Cosmos, Mag Drive, and UK space scale-upsThe three core Catapult missions: Beyond Earth, Autonomous & Connected Earth, Resilient EarthMatchmaking vs. ChallengeAccelerating Sovereign space capability & international trustIndustrial Strategy: "Picking winners" vs. broad SME supportCross-government alignment, capital growth, and rapid regulationThe Space and Defence Gateway at Harwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Satellite Applications Catapult: Ruthless selection, world-class winners, and executive engineers

  5. Aug 20

    Spaceport Cornwall: From Virgin Orbit to multi-use aerospace and drone hub

    What really happened at Spaceport Cornwall after the 2023 Virgin Orbit launch? Why, from an operational and regulatory standpoint, was the failed mission actually a success? How can spaceport infrastructure and segregated airspace be repurposed for high-volume drone testing, hypersonic flight, and returning spaceplanes? What is the true definition of "assured launch," and why is domestic launch capability crucial for national resilience? How is Cornwall evolving beyond its launch heritage into a multi-sector commercial technology ecosystem?  Join Alice and Jonners as they talk to Ross Hulbert, Space Engagement Lead at Spaceport Cornwall, and discuss the realities of pioneering spaceports, mixed airspace regulation, local economic impact, and subsidising future space access. Contributors: Alice Bunn, President of UKspace  Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn   Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn The Karman Line | LinkedIn Ross Hulbert, Space Engagement Lead, Spaceport Cornwall  Ross Hulbert | LinkedIn Spaceport Cornwall | LinkedIn Key topics covered:  Spaceport Cornwall evolution & operations Virgin Orbit launch legacy & technical learnings Mixed airspace & BVLOS drone testing Hypersonic testing & spaceplane recovery Assured vs sovereign launch capability Global launch bottlenecks & reliance on SpaceX Space Clusters & Cornish economic growth Subsidising space access for UK operators  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Spaceport Cornwall: From Virgin Orbit to multi-use aerospace and drone hub

  6. Aug 13

    Dual-Use & Working Together

    What does "dual-use" technology truly mean? What happens when academia, industry, and government join forces at an institution like NESST? What connects the London Olympics and the MoD’s Skynet satellite system? And are policy and legal hurdles holding back the full potential of dual-use tech? In this episode, Dave Moody - Director of the North-East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST) at Northumbria University - joins Alice Bunn and Jonners to explore the critical dual-use elements of space technology. From the First Gulf War to the London Olympics, space has, time and time again, quietly delivered essential capabilities. Is it time we start singing its praises? Contributors: Alice Bunn, President of UKspace  Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn   Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn The Karman Line | LinkedIn Dave Moody, Director, North East Space Skills and Technology Centre, Northumbria University Dave Moody | LinkedIn Northumbria University | LinkedIn Key topics covered: Dual Use Military London Olympics SkyNet NESST Northumbria University Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dual-Use & Working Together

  7. Aug 6

    Spaceports: Past, Present, and Future

    Does the UK still have its adventure spirit? With other countries getting the jump on UK launch, can the nation take advantage of the pathway forged in Cornwall? What commercial opportunities arise when the government plays a more active role in launch? Should a spaceport just be viewed as a normal piece of infrastructure, and how can it connect to its local setting? How can the space industry take on climate challenges head-on?  Spaceport builder Melissa Quinn joins Alice and Jonners to talk launch, alignment, and whether the UK can get back into its groove as the rest of the world looks to take off. The powerhouse behind Spaceport Cornwall’s first launch and Spaceport Nova Scotia’s ambitious plans tells her inspiring story about achieving big things. This episode is a must-listen. Contributors: Alice Bunn, President of UKspace  Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn   Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn The Karman Line | LinkedIn Melissa Quinn, Vice President Spaceport Operations, Maritime Launch Services Melissa Quinn | LinkedIn Maritime Launch Services | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Spaceports: Past, Present, and Future

  8. Jul 30

    How to build future facing talent pipelines that accelerate UK space strategy

    How have skill requirements in the UK space sector shifted from foundational engineering to critical system architects and project managers? How does a landscape of over 1,900 specialised companies compare to vertically integrated giants like SpaceX? What impact will the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and UK Space Agency (UKSA) re-merger have on scaling up space businesses? How can the UK leverage international partnerships and domestic "national champions" to accelerate defence and civil space capabilities? Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with Andrew Stanniland, Managing Director of MDA Space UK, about building talent pipelines that reward new visions and ideas, defence alignment through the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), being humble and respectful of international markets and communication skills “on steroids”.   Contributors: Alice Bunn, President of UKspace  Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn   Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn The Karman Line Andrew Stanniland, Managing Director, MDA Space UK Andrew Stanniland | LinkedIn MDA Space UK | LinkedIn Key topics covered: Space sector skills & recruitment strategiesUK space industry structure & 1,900+ company ecosystemCollaborative industry cultureDSIT & UK Space Agency structural changesDefence Investment Plan (DIP) and military spaceNational champions and M&A trendsRegulatory & technology sandboxesInternational space partnerships & pace of execution Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to build future facing talent pipelines that accelerate UK space strategy
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About

Interested in the business of space? Dr Alice Bunn, former-international director of UK Space Agency and now president of UKspace, helps you identify investment opportunities, cut through policy and regulation, assemble your supply chains and get stuff done.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Haymarket Media Group Ltd
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 25139770-07fc-11f1-890f-ff521e937737
  • Show Website
    The Kármán Line

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