Constellations - Explore Space Network Technologies with Industry Leaders

Kratos

Constellations is your connection to the innovators, business leaders, entrepreneurs and policy makers who are making—and remaking—today's satellite and space networks.
Whether you're in the industry or just have a desire to learn, this podcast is for you.
For more information and to subscribe to the biweekly newsletter go to www.ConstellationsMag.com

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20 episodes
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Avg 22 min
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S1 · E242
September 16 · 12 min
242 - What Does VLEO Really Demand From Spacecraft?
Chad Fish, CTO of Orion Space Solutions, outlines the core constraints that determine whether a VLEO mission is viable and how altitude choices reshape spacecraft behavior and sensing performance. He also discusses how missions like ACMES push thermal imaging, atmospheric measurements and multi‑instrument operations into more demanding territory.
September 7 · 22 min
Can the Space Economy Grow Sustainably?
In this episode, Kat Hickey and Federico Trovarelli of Novaspace discuss the industry's transition from voluntary best practices to measurable economic, operational and regulatory strategies for preserving the space environment. Kat and Federico explore how orbital sustainability is evolving from an environmental concern into a business imperative shaping investment, regulation, spacecraft design and operations.
S1 · E241
September 2 · 20 min
241 - What Are the Technologies Behind the New Infrastructure of Space?
Live from the show floor of Smallsat, Constellations is joined by Jonas Aslund and Viktor Pankov of SSC Space, who dive into one of the most important shifts happening across the sector: the emergence of a new space infrastructure built on global ground networks. As satellite demand continues to grow, the next generation of infrastructure is becoming more essential.
August 24 · 18 min
Is the Space Industry Ready for Quantum?
Dr. Kelly Backes of MITRE addresses why Space ISAC launched its Quantum Community of Interest, how the space industry can prepare for the quantum era and which technologies are poised to have the greatest impact on the security and resilience of future space systems.
S1 · E240
August 20 · 21 min
240 - Can Regional Satellite Operators Thrive in the Mega-Constellation Era?
As governments across the Middle East invest in sovereign space capabilities and secure communications, regional operators are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of satellite services. Mohamed Sayed, Vice President of Commercial at Es'hailSat, Qatar's national satellite operator, joins Constellations to discuss how they are navigating the rise of mega-constellations, supporting national resilience and digital sovereignty, and helping build a more collaborative and competitive space ecosystem across the region.
S1 · E239
August 19 · 22 min
239 - How Is Space Law Adapting to Autonomous Missions?
As autonomous systems play a bigger role in spacecraft decision making, Jesús Bernal Allende, space lawyer and founder and director of IURUS Consulting, discusses how existing space law should be applied. Jesús unpacks how responsibility, licensing and coordination are being interpreted as autonomy becomes part of modern mission design.
S1 · E238
August 5 · 21 min
238 - Is Aerospace Asset Leasing the Key to Unlocking the Next Wave of Space Growth?
Financing in the space industry is often overlooked, yet a critical aspect to growth within the industry. Joining Constellations is Phaedra Chrousos and Max Yergan of SLI Aerospace, pioneering aerospace asset leasing to help manufacturers and operators finance the satellites, ground infrastructure and other space assets they need without the burden of large upfront investments. In this episode, Phaedra and Max will discuss how innovative financing models could accelerate the commercialization of space and reshape the economics of the industry for years to come.
S1 · E237
July 22 · 21 min
237 - Is the Outer Space Treaty Built for Today's Space Race?
As humanity pushes toward sustained activity beyond Earth, legal and operational questions around resource extraction, safety, and behavior in shared environments are coming to the forefront. Hon. Peter Beshar, former Air Force and Space Force General Counsel, joins Constellations to unpack how long‑standing treaties intersect with modern lunar ambitions, what safeguards can prevent gray‑zone behavior and how nations can build trust as more actors crowd the space domain.
S1 · E236
July 8 · 18 min
236 - How Is Earth Observation Evolving to Meet Time Critical Demands?
Earth observation is evolving as users demand faster decisions, tighter workflows and more dependable data. Satellogic VP of Space Systems Luciano Giesso shares how these rising expectations are reshaping EO missions, influencing everything from how organizations approach responsiveness to how they define truly trusted insights.
S1 · E235
June 24 · 24 min
235 - What Forces Will Redefine Sovereignty in Space?
Nations are rethinking how much control they need over their space infrastructure and what real sovereignty looks like in practice. Boston Consulting Group's Alessio Bonucci explores the industrial limits, geopolitical pressures and shifting partnerships shaping space sovereignty in Europe and beyond.
S1 · E234
June 10 · 13 min
234 - How Is Mission Delta 3 Advancing Electronic Warfare to Counter Fast Evolving Space Threats?
Live at the Space Symposium, Constellations spoke with Colonel Eddie Gutierrez who discussed rapid capability delivery, near peer readiness and the importance of integrating operators, acquirers and industry partners to shorten development cycles. He highlights the need for adaptable Guardians, improved targeting and resilient global EW operations, emphasizing that owning the spectrum is critical for joint force success. The conversation underscores how unified vision, reduced process barriers and mission-focused collaboration enable the Space Force to field effective EW systems faster than ever.
S1 · E233
May 27 · 16 min
233 - How Are Missions Evolving Beyond Low Earth Orbit?
Heather Pringle of Space Foundation examines how organizations across government, industry and the international community are preparing for a new phase of operations beyond low Earth orbit. She breaks down how technology shifts, evolving partnerships and changes in mission architecture are influencing long-term capability and strategic positioning. Pringle also highlights the decision-making habits leaders need as technical complexity and competitive pressure accelerate.
S1 · E232
May 20 · 28 min
232 - How Is 5G NTN Shaping Long-Term Strategy Across the Satellite Industry?
Live at SATshow 2026, Constellations is joined by Blane Boynton, SVP of Product Management and Development at SES, Andrew Cavalier, Senior Analyst at ABI Research and Greg Quiggle, SVP of Product Management at Kratos to unpack how satellite industry players are weaving 5G NTN into their long-term strategies. Listen to find out how competitive pressure is accelerating ground system transformation and how early implementations point towards commercial readiness.
S1 · E231
May 13 · 24 min
231 - What Will Define Operator Advantage in Asia's Satellite Market?
Nathan de Ruiter, Partner and Managing Director at Novaspace, joins the show to unpack the shifting supply and demand dynamics shaping satellite capacity across Asia. De Ruiter discusses how pricing pressures, national space programs, government connectivity initiatives and network modernization efforts are influencing operator decisions across the region. He also outlines how these trends are redefining competition and informing long term fleet planning and partnerships. Listen as he breaks down the key forces reshaping Asia's satellite market.
S1 · E230
April 29 · 21 min
230 - Which System Wins, When Comparing Virtual Ground With Traditional Hardware ROI?
Grace Khanuja of Novaspace investigates how satellite operators embracing virtual ground systems aren't simply trying to reduce their hardware footprints but also to integrate with telecom networks, maximize capacity and move customers to an OpEx model to compete with megaconstellations such as Starlink. Novaspace laid out the business case for virtual ground in a February white paper, even comparing the financial models for a virtualized versus traditional hardware-based systems over five years.
S1 · E229
April 15 · 27 min
229 - What Does It Take to Maintain Decision Advantage in Space?
Colonel Tim Trimailo is the Director of the Commercial Space Office (COMSO), the Space Force's front door to industry. He leads efforts to integrate commercial capabilities directly into operational missions. Colonel Trimailo has played a key role in bringing commercial systems into military operations, strengthening resilience across constellations, and rethinking how the U.S. and its allies operate in increasingly contested domains. Listen to Colonel Trimailo as he explores how the commercial industry is accelerating the future of military space operations.
S1 · E228
April 9 · 19 min
228 - What Hidden Factors Decide Whether Space Missions Succeed?
Melanie Stricklan, Executive Director, SWFT & Chief Innovation & Advancement Officer at Space Foundation discusses the hidden complexity of modern space operations—why success isn't just about satellites, but about orchestrating entire ecosystems across space, ground, and cloud. Listen to Melanie as she unpacks the unseen challenges like semantic misalignments, operational debt, and AI-driven autonomy that shape the future of space missions.
S1 · E227
March 18 · 33 min
227 - What's the Path Forward for AI in Space?
Paul Lasserre of Loft Orbital discusses how AI is quietly expanding its role in determining what satellites notice, flag and send home. He weighs how this progression could reshape long‑standing assumptions about who — or what — directs outcomes in orbit.
S1 · E226
March 4 · 41 min
226 - Is Orbital Cleanup the Launchpad for Asteroid Mining?
Earth's orbit is full of space junk like out-of-service satellites that completed their mission long ago. One study even estimated that 100 trillion pieces of space debris are floating outside the planet. Joel Sercel, CEO and Founder of TransAstra, shares insights on space debris capture technology that has the potential to make space more accessible and sustainable for future generations.
S1 · E225
February 18 · 24 min
225 - What Are the Biggest Untapped Opportunities in Satellite IoT?
ABI Research's newest report "Can Satellite IoT Take on the Terrestrial IoT Market and Succeed?" predicts that the satellite IoT market will reach $3.1 billion in revenue by 2030. In this episode, Jake Saunders, Vice President at ABI Research, walks us through some of the key report data on the state of satellite IoT including the biggest untapped commercial opportunities, the competitive landscape and the evolving relationship between satellite and terrestrial.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes