Best Payload Space Podcasts (2025)

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The Energy Grail, with Julien Barber (Investor at Emerson Collective) 47:44

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7d ago47:44

47:44

Julien Barber is an investor at Emerson Collective, a venture and policy firm founded by Laurene Powell Jobs, where he backs bold bets on decarbonization, infrastructure, and long-horizon climate technologies. Before becoming an investor, Julien researched fusion energy at MIT and co-founded a carbon-tech startup. In today’s episode, we go deep int…

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Built for Complexity, with John Conafay (CEO of Integrate) 49:00

8d ago49:00

49:00

Welcome to a special Tuesday-edition of Valley of Depth, powered by Integrate. John Conafay spent years inside the space and defense worlds, from Spire to Astranis to the U.S. Air Force, and saw the same problem everywhere: complex programs were managed with spreadsheets, slide decks, and…crossed fingers. So in 2022, he founded Integrate to fix it.…

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Back from the Dead, with Chris Kemp (CEO of Astra) 59:03

14d ago59:03

59:03

Chris Kemp took Astra public in 2021 with a bold vision: low-cost rockets launching daily, bringing sovereign space access to every country on Earth. At its peak, the company was worth over $2 billion. Within two years, that valuation collapsed by 99%. In this episode of Valley of Depth, we go inside one of the most dramatic flameouts and attempted…

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210 - Accelerating Space Innovation, Bridging the Gap and Partnerships 29:38

14d ago29:38

29:38

Matt Magaña from Voyager Technologies discusses how partnerships can accelerate space innovation. Matt will explain why these collaborations are more crucial than ever, particularly in overcoming the "valley of death" through shared technology. He'll also touch on the challenges of government funding with OTAs and mission-based awards, and why bu…

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Rapid Maneuverability, with Jeff Thornburg (CEO of Portal Space Systems) 59:51

20d ago59:51

59:51

Jeff Thornburg helped build Raptor at SpaceX. Now he’s building something new: a spacecraft designed for rapid maneuverability across orbits powered by solar thermal propulsion. In this episode of Valley of Depth, we get into the technical, strategic, and commercial implications of in-space mobility and why it matters now. Topics include: The harde…

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Strategic Nuclear Energy, with Jordan Bramble (CEO of Antares) 48:21

27d ago48:21

48:21

In the wake of new executive orders elevating nuclear energy as a national security priority, there’s growing momentum—and urgency—behind advanced fission technologies. Few are better positioned to talk about this shift than Jordan Bramble, co-founder and CEO of Antares Nuclear, a startup building microreactors for defense and space. In this episod…

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209 - AI, Spacecraft Autonomy and Space Data for Humanity 19:17

28d ago19:17

19:17

From agriculture to collision avoidance, space data is becoming continuously more important in decision-making and predictive analytics for many industries in going about their day-to-day tasks. In this podcast, hear Yudhajeet Dasgupta, Head of Solutions Architecture Aerospace and Satellite at AWS, share his knowledge on cloud computing for space a…

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Sara and Josh Talk About Drone EOs 27:21

1M ago27:21

27:21

In this episode of Sara and Josh Talk About Drones, Sara and Josh talk about several developments in the UAS space. First, they give an update on the alleged UAS sightings in New Jersey from December 2024 and the consensus that these sightings were in fact authorized crewed aircraft rather than rogue UAS. Next, they cover takeaways from the recent …

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The Future of Supersonic, with Blake Scholl (CEO of Boom Supersonic) 56:28

1M ago56:28

56:28

In a major shift, the U.S. government is moving to overturn a 50-year ban on civilian supersonic flight over land—a regulation that’s defined the boundaries of commercial aviation since 1973. It’s a pivotal moment for aerospace, and a timely one for this conversation with Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. In this episode of Valley o…

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208 - PNT, Quantum Time Transfer and Entangled Photon Systems 20:49

1M ago20:49

20:49

On the Constellations podcast, the critical role of timing in both commercial and military applications is explored. Hear from David Mitlyng, CEO of Xairos as he discusses quantum communications as a next-gen timing solution. He explains how quantum hardware is more mature and practical than quantum computing and highlights quantum time transfer – …

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Episode: 74 - Keith Flaherty, President-Elect of AACR, on Public and Private Collabs, AI Optimism, and More 47:23

1M ago47:23

47:23

June 10, 2025 | In this bonus episode of The Chain, Daniel Chen, MD, PhD, founder and CEO of Synthetic Design Lab, returns for the Science Commune segment and speaks with Keith Flaherty, MD, FAACR, professor of Medicine of Harvard Medical School and president-elect of AACR. They discuss Flaherty’s prolific career; how his background led him to purs…

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Episode: 73 - PANEL DISCUSSION: Near-Term Challenges for AI/ML in Biotherapeutic R&D 1:01:21

1M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

June 10, 2025 | This episode of The Chain features a panel discussion from May’s PEGS Boston. Moderated by Peter Tessier, Albert M. Mattocks professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan, the panelists include Sarel Fleishman, professor of Biomolecular Sciences at the Weizmann Institute of Science; Kadi…

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Space Superiority, with Even Rogers (CEO of True Anomaly) 1:00:37

2M ago1:00:37

1:00:37

If the next great war is fought in space, Even Rogers wants the U.S. to be ready. On this episode of Valley of Depth, the True Anomaly CEO and former Air Force weapons officer joins us to break down how he’s building autonomous systems for space superiority and why space is the next warfighting domain. A graduate of the Air Force Weapons School, Ev…

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Asymmetric Naval Power, with Paul Lwin (CEO of HavocAI) 41:57

2M ago41:57

41:57

This week on Valley of Depth, we’re joined by Paul Lwin, co-founder and CEO of Havoc AI—a builder of integrated hardware, software, and logistics that enables collaborative, autonomous maritime operations. A former Navy test pilot and electronic warfare officer, Paul saw firsthand the strategic challenge posed by China’s industrial scale in the Pac…

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207 - Hyperspectral Imagery, 1,000 Mbps from Space, and a Health Monitor for the Earth 23:16

2M ago23:16

23:16

In this episode, Awais Ahmed, founder and CEO of Pixxel, talks about building a constellation called Firefly, otherwise known as the “health monitor for the Earth.” Join us to learn about hyperspectral imagery, how access to it can support faster responses to environmental issues, and how its data can be used to provide insights on terrestrial chan…

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Redefining Air Mobility, with Marc Allen (CEO of Electra) 45:51

2M ago45:51

45:51

This week on Valley of Depth, we’re joined by Marc Allen, CEO of Electra and former Chief Strategy Officer at Boeing. After nearly two decades at one of aerospace’s most iconic companies, Marc stepped away—and then doubled down—on aviation with a bold bet: a hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off in 150 feet, carries 1,000 pounds, and can land alm…

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The Next Supercycle, with Erik Kriessmann (Partner at Altimeter) 51:56

2M ago51:56

51:56

This week on Valley of Depth, we’re joined by Erik Kriessmann, Partner at Altimeter – the $10B crossover firm known for backing generational companies across tech, defense, and space. From sourcing early-stage deals to helping build world-class teams, Erik’s path into venture started with a deep focus on talent, giving him a rare edge in identifyin…

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206 - Massive NGSO Deployments, New AI Capabilities and Enhanced Space Domain Awareness 19:51

2M ago19:51

19:51

The number of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is poised to explode over the coming years as more mega-constellations come online. This has the potential to bring rise to new potential threats in space. The massive scale of deployments is driving the need to leverage artificial intelligence to make better sense of the exponentially growing space…

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Episode: 72 - Pamela Barney on HR Lessons to Meet the Needs of Biotech 35:23

2M ago35:23

35:23

In this episode of The Chain, host Tariq Ghayur, PhD, Tariq Ghayur Consulting, LLC, talks with Pamela Barney, former associate director of HR, AbbVie, about her career within biotech/pharma organizations and some key lessons learned, such as taking advantage of your contacts and network, managing diverse workforces, and HR’s role in creating an eng…

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Engineered for Impact, with Christian Garcia (Partner at Breakthrough Energy Ventures) 57:23

3M ago57:23

57:23

This week on Valley of Depth, we’re joined by Christian Garcia, Partner at Breakthrough Energy Ventures — the Bill Gates-backed climate fund investing in bold technologies to accelerate the energy transition across every sector of the economy. With portfolio companies tackling everything from geologic hydrogen to reusable rockets, BEV is redefining…

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Breakthrough Orbital Platforms, with Tejpaul Bhatia (CEO of Axiom Space) 1:09:33

3M ago1:09:33

1:09:33

This week on Valley of Depth, we’re joined by Tejpaul Bhatia, the newly appointed CEO of Axiom Space — a company building one of the first commercial space stations and leading private human spaceflight missions to low Earth orbit. The company is gearing up for Ax-4, Axiom’s fourth mission to the ISS, which will fly astronauts from Poland, Hungary,…

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205 - 5G-Enabled Convergence, Competition and Cooperation 28:50

3M ago28:50

28:50

5G technology holds the promise of the seamless integration of satellite and telco networks – a critical development as the demand for global connectivity grows. Listen to a panel of experts discuss the convergence of satellite and telecommunications infrastructure from both a technology and a business case perspective.…

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Hypersonic Power Play, with Bryon Hargis (CEO of Castelion) 56:14

3M ago56:14

56:14

We’re excited to launch Valley of Depth, our new podcast taking the place of our beloved (formerly known as) Pathfinder (RIP) podcast. Valley of Depth is about the technologies that matter—and the people building them. We talk to founders, investors, government officials, and military leaders shaping the future of national security and deep tech. F…

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204 - Mega-Constellations, Gaining Competitive Advantage and Software-Ground 15:43

3M ago15:43

15:43

Mega-constellations like Starlink are reshaping the satellite industry—and traditional operators are looking to gain competitive advantage. In this episode, Lluc Palerm, Research Director at Analysys Mason, shares key insights from a recent white paper on how software-ground systems can help legacy players compete. He will discuss what strategies c…

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PEGS Young Scientist Keynote Jessica Stark on the Role of Glycans in Cancer Research 28:38

3M ago28:38

28:38

In this episode of The Chain, host Brandon DeKosky, associate professor, speaks with MIT colleague Jessica Stark, Underwood-Prescott career development professor, about glycans and why they are important in cancer research. Stark discusses how she became interested in immunology, what her PhD and post-doctoral training was like, her thoughts on sin…

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203 - Innovative Commercial Solutions, Expanding CASR and Accelerating Space Readiness 28:23

4M ago28:23

28:23

In this episode, Colonel Richard Kniseley from the Space Systems Command's Commercial Space Office (COMSO) delves into the U.S. military’s strategy for incorporating commercial space capabilities to strengthen national defense. Col. Kniseley outlines the "buy before build" approach, discusses the benefits of commercial services like satellite commu…

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202 - Flexible Payloads, Orchestrated Ground and Service on Demand 28:01

4M ago28:01

28:01

Industry leaders dive deep into the revolutionary potential of software-defined satellites and how these satellites are transforming the way operators can dynamically adjust capacity and coverage in orbit to meet customer demand, opening doors to new revenue streams and innovative services. Hear from experts on how a more dynamic ground system play…

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Episode: 70 - Views on Machine Learning and AI in the Antibody and Protein Engineering Space 49:36

4M ago49:36

49:36

March 11, 2025 | In this episode of The Chain, host Andrew Buchanan, principal scientist at AstraZeneca, and Andreas Plückthun, professor and head of biochemistry at the University of Zurich, discuss AI/ML technologies in the antibody and protein engineering space. Plückthun shares his perspectives on what technologies show promise and success, why…

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Hosted Payload S2.E3: Wiley on Space Cowboys 23:24

5M ago23:24

23:24

Hosted Payload is now available in both video and podcast form! Host Henry Gola thinks Space Cowboys is Clint Eastwood’s worst movie, but he meets surprising disagreement from colleagues Jen Hindin, Chloe Hawker, and Jillian Quigley. Plus, Chloe does double duty and dishes the latest satellite and space news in the Orbital Debrief.…

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201 - GPS, LEO and the Speed of Decision 15:22

5M ago15:22

15:22

On the Constellations Podcast, the overall importance of GPS by commercial and military will be discussed. Hear from Ian Canning, President and CEO of the Eutelsat America Corporation and OneWeb Technologies Inc. (EACOWT) as he discusses reasons and strategies to support position, navigation and timing. He will also describe the capabilities of ope…

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Episode: 69 - Conversation with Sir Greg Winter on the 50th Anniversary of the Milstein and Köhler Paper 50:36

5M ago50:36

50:36

February 21, 2025 | This episode marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most influential papers in biomedical science—the 1975 Milstein and Köhler paper on hybridoma technology, which paved the way for monoclonal antibodies. Ralph Minter, Biotech CSO/CTO, discusses this important milestone with a true pioneer in the field, Sir Greg Winter, Nobel …

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200 - Standards, Spectrum and Seamless Connectivity for D2D Services 27:47

5M ago27:47

27:47

Direct-to-Device satellite connectivity is being touted as a way to bridge terrestrial connectivity gaps, and the past year has seen major developments in the D2D space. Jacques Leduc, CEO of Terrestar Solutions and a founding member of the Mobile Satellite Services Association discusses how 3GPP 5G standards, access to spectrum and partnerships wi…

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Beyond the Brief, with Ed Fyfe (Founder of Ed Fyfe Design) 57:43

5M ago57:43

57:43

This week on Pathfinder, we’re joined by Ed Fyfe, founder of Ed Fyfe Design, a creative studio focused on branding and visual identity for space and hardware companies. With a background in agency work and a passion for the space industry, Ed has built a reputation for helping companies craft compelling brand identities that stand out in a crowded …

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Inside SpaceX's Revenue, with Jack Kuhr (Research Director at Payload) 43:22

5M ago43:22

43:22

This week on Pathfinder, we’re joined by Jack Kuhr, Research Director at Payload, for a deep dive into one of the most closely watched companies in the space industry—SpaceX. We break down Payload’s latest analysis of SpaceX’s revenue, exploring how the company’s launch business and Starlink network are shaping its financial trajectory. With our es…

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199 - Software-Defined Satellites, Follow-Me Beams and Always-On Customer Connectivity 23:24

6M ago23:24

23:24

The satellite industry is transforming with software-defined networking, unlocking global connectivity anywhere, anytime. Software-defined satellites, which can shift capacity on-demand, are key to this change, enabling flexible business models to meet evolving needs. Carmel Ortiz, Senior VP of Technology and Innovation at Intelsat, joins us to d…

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Space to Grow, with Matt Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau 1:02:32

6M ago1:02:32

1:02:32

This week on Pathfinder, we’re joined by Matt Weinzierl, Chair of the MBA Program and Professor at Harvard Business School, and Brendan Rosseau, a member of the strategy team for launch at Blue Origin. Together, they’ve co-authored Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier, a new book exploring the history, key players, and economic forc…

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Subsurface Vision, with Jeremiah Pate (CEO of Lunasonde) 43:37

6M ago43:37

43:37

This week on Pathfinder, we’re joined by Jeremiah Pate, founder and CEO of Lunasonde, a company pioneering subsurface imaging from space. Lunasonde is developing technology to map the Earth’s underground, leveraging low-frequency synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to identify critical minerals and resources. With two satellites launched and the first f…

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198 - Micro Satellites, Big Disruptors and the Trajectory of the Space Race 25:07

6M ago25:07

25:07

In a disrupted industry, new innovations and unique ways of thinking are more important than ever. In this podcast, hear from John Gedmark – CEO and Co-Founder at Astranis Space Technologies – about his knowledge on changing small GEO satellite technology, new military applications, and the shift toward scaled GEO deployments.…