Space Minds

SpaceNews
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Space Minds is a new audio and video podcast from SpaceNews that focuses on the inspiring leaders, technologies and exciting opportunities in space. This weekly podcast features compelling interviews with scientists, founders and experts who love to talk about space, covers the news that has enthusiasts daydreaming, and engages with listeners. Join David Ariosto, Mike Gruss and journalists from the SpaceNews team for new episodes every Thursday.

  1. 12/30/2025

    The space stories that will shape 2026

    In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss is joined by SpaceNews journalists Jason Rainbow, Sandra Erwin, Jeff Foust and Debra Werner for a wide-ranging conversation on the space stories that will define the year ahead.The panel examines intensifying competition in satellite broadband and direct-to-device connectivity, the future of NASA and Artemis under new leadership, rising defense and security demands, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence across space systems. Together, they offer their insight into the policy, commercial, and technological shifts shaping the global space economy.

    40 min

  2. 12/23/2025

    How physics AI is transforming the future of space engineering

    In this episode of Space Minds, host David Ariosto speaks with Juan Alonso — CTO and Co-founder of Luminary Cloud and professor at Stanford University — about the rapid transformation underway in aerospace engineering.Alonso breaks down how advances in computational fluid dynamics and physics AI are enabling designers to simulate complex aerodynamic behavior in seconds, dramatically accelerating how rockets, aircraft, and hypersonic systems are conceived and tested.

    27 min

  3. 12/18/2025

    2025 was "almost a watershed year" for the Space Development Agency

    In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss talks with Dr. Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo about what he calls "almost a watershed year" for the Space Development Agency. Sandhoo breaks down SDA’s major technical breakthroughs in 2025—ranging from successful hypersonic missile tracking in low Earth orbit to demonstrating space-based Link 16 tactical communications and completing the first-ever optical space-to-air laser link.

    26 min

  4. 12/17/2025

    Speed, risk, and the future of national security space

    In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss moderates a timely panel discussion at the Spacepower conference on how commercial space capabilities are reshaping national security, civil space, and military decision-making.Joined by Luke Fischer (CEO and co-founder, SkyFi), Bob Pavelko (Intuitive Machines), and Bradley Cheetham (CEO and co-founder, Advanced Space), the conversation explores what “speed” really means in today’s space environment—and why delivering usable capability now often matters more than waiting for perfect solutions later.

    41 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    How the Space Force trains Guardians for the future of warfare

    In this episode of Space Minds, host Sandra Erwin sits down with former NASA astronaut and Space Force leader Brig. Gen. Nick Hague for a wide-ranging conversation on how the U.S. Space Force is shaping its culture, training Guardians, and preparing for future conflict in space.Hague reflects on his journey from the International Space Station to the Pentagon, where he now helps oversee operations, readiness, and policy for America’s newest military service. The discussion explores what “test” really means in the Space Force, how risk and speed are balanced, and why continuous learning is essential to maintaining space superiority.

    29 min

  6. 12/15/2025

    Why the Space Force says 2025 changes everything

    In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss sits down with Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, one of the U.S. Space Force’s most influential acquisition leaders and recipient of the SpaceNews Icon Award for Military Space Achievement.Purdy discusses how 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for Space Systems Command (SSC) and why this past year represented a major shift toward the “ground game”—software, training systems, and modernized infrastructure. He describes how Guardians are driving adoption of AI tools, how SSC is integrating commercial innovation at unprecedented speed, and why this current wave of acquisition reform may finally stick.

    29 min

  7. 12/11/2025

    Building the future of space defense

    In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss sits down with Matt Magaña, president of space, defense and national Security at Voyager Technologies, to explore one of the most consequential national security space stories of 2025: Golden Dome. Magaña lays out why this initiative represents a major inflection point for U.S. missile defense, requiring a truly integrated system-of-systems approach to track, target and defeat emerging threats such as hypersonic weapons.

    18 min

  8. 12/04/2025

    The shift that saved American spaceflight

    In this episode of Space Minds, former NASA commercial space division chief Phil McAlister sits down with host David Ariosto for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of human spaceflight, NASA’s internal culture, and the explosive growth of the commercial space sector.McAlister spent nearly 20 years inside NASA, helping spearhead programs like Commercial Crew and COTS, which paved the way for SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and a new era of public-private partnerships. He shares stories about internal resistance, political battles, and what it took to shift NASA away from cost-plus contracting after decades of inertia.We also dive into:• Whether the U.S. is really in a “space race” with China• Why the moon’s South Pole may not be first-come, first-served• The sustainability crisis facing SLS, Orion, and Artemis• The role of commercial companies in deep space—not just LEO• How Starship, New Glenn, and private human spaceflight change everything• Whether NASA is destined to become more like the FAA• What the next 50 years in space might actually look like

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Space Minds is a new audio and video podcast from SpaceNews that focuses on the inspiring leaders, technologies and exciting opportunities in space. This weekly podcast features compelling interviews with scientists, founders and experts who love to talk about space, covers the news that has enthusiasts daydreaming, and engages with listeners. Join David Ariosto, Mike Gruss and journalists from the SpaceNews team for new episodes every Thursday.

Information

  • Channel
    SpaceNews
  • Creator
    SpaceNews
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © SpaceNews
  • Show Website
    Space Minds

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