Hello,
Before I get to this week’s podcast episode, which is about the President’s Budget Request for Space Force and Department of Defense space programs… Yes. I know it has been a long while since I last drafted a blog. I have been witheringly busy. However, the work has paid off.
The DownLink Podcast has its first true sponsor, TE Connectivity. The multi-national is a Fortune 500, and is one of Fortune’s “World's Most Admired Companies”.
- When the mission is critical, so are the parts. TE Connectivity’s components are exactingly engineered, rigorously tested and certified by major space agencies. Learn more at te.com/space. -
Also, I have made appearances on the America’s Future Series, most recently at this month’s Dual Use Tech Summit, and before that, at its January National Security Virtual Summit.
You can check out the discussions, the first of which may surprise you, here:
Cyber and Physical Security with former FBI Agent Jana Monroe, who was the bureau’s first Cyber Division Assistant Director, and the first female member of the Behavioral Science Unit. Jodie Foster worked with and based her portrayal of the “The Silence of the Lambs” character Clarice Starling on Monroe’s experience - This is an interesting conversation with a very accomplished professional, who is now in the private sector. And it’s not all about serial killers.
Silicon Bank Meltdown with Major General Bucky Butow, Commander of the California Air National Guard and the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit’s Space Portfolio; and George Pullen, Chief Economist, MilkyWayEconomy - Did you forget what happened last year to Silicon Valley Bank, astropreneurs, and venture capitalists? We talk about lessons learned and what needs to be done to shore up the capital.
And lastly, Beyond 2030: Developing Dual Use Technology with Foresight with Zachery Tyson Brown, Senior Project Engineer - Strategy and Foresight, The Aerospace Corporation; and Col Rhet Turnbull, Deputy Director, Space Systems Integration Office, Space Systems Command. This is a real look at our goals for national security space beyond 2030 and what we need to do to get there.
What’s in this episode
Back to this week’s podcast episode…
Congressional inaction coupled with core inflation, have resulted in the first reduction in budgetary buying power for the U.S. Space Force for FY 2025, placing research and development at risk. Effects could be far reaching, as the youngest military branch is the biggest consumer of commercial space products and services.
Who’s in this episode
Peter Garretson, Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council and co-author of the book “The Next Space Race: A Blueprint for American Primacy” and co-author of the book “Scramble for the Skies: The Great Power Competition to Control the Resources of Outer Space“
Sam Wilson, Senior Policy analyst for the Center for Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation
Final note
If you’re at Satellite 2024 this week, reach out. I’ll be prowling around, mostly on the exhibition floor, to hunt for great new space technologies and companies. Have someone you think I should meet, please let me know at lwinter@defaeroreport.com.
Have a great week and Ad Astra!
Laura
