Astronomy Prints 🌌: New panelist: Nuclear Power in Space Live Event

How are companies like Redwire shaping the new space economy and balancing civil, commercial and national security missions? These are some of the topics tackled in this week's episode of Space Minds with our guest, Al Tadros, the chief technology officer at Redwire.

If you're interested in partnering with SpaceNews to produce virtual events or special episodes of Space Minds, including our CEO series at World Space Business Week, and other events this fall, reach out to our team.

And don't forget you can send your feedback on our shows to spaceminds@spacenews.com.

AUG. 28 AT 1 PM ET

Nuclear Power in Space

For more than six decades, the United States has pursued the promise of nuclear power in space — a technology capable of delivering energy where sunlight can't reach and enabling missions beyond the limits of chemical propulsion. Yet since a brief reactor flight in 1965, no fission reactor has operated in orbit.

Now, amid renewed competition from China and Russia, advancing reactor designs and emerging commercial interest, space nuclear power is at a crossroads. Advocates see it as essential for sustained lunar operations, crewed Mars missions and national security in cislunar space. Critics warn of cost, complexity and regulatory hurdles that have derailed past efforts.

In addition, NASA leadership has prioritized a nuclear reactor on the moon.

Join us Aug. 28 as we examine why the stakes are high, what's changed in the past year and whether this time the technology can finally leave the launch pad.

LIVE EVENT: NUCLEAR POWER IN SPACE

1:00 - 2:00 p.m. EDT
August 28, 2025

Virtual event – A recording of the event will be sent to all registrants.

Guests:

👉 New panelist: Tim Cichan, Space Exploration Architect, Lockheed Martin

Bhavya Lal, Former Acting Chief Technologist, NASA

Fred Kenendy, CEO and Co-Founder, Dark Fission Space Systems

Host:
Jason Rainbow, Senior Staff Writer and Business Intelligence Manager, SpaceNews

SPACE MINDS PODCAST

The Future of Space Infrastructure

In this week's episode of Space Minds, host David Ariosto speaks with Al Tadros, chief technology officer at Redwire, to explore the future of space infrastructure and commercialization.

From the growing role of private investment in orbit to breakthroughs in bioprinting and pharmaceuticals in microgravity, Tadros explains why this is one of the most exciting times in the history of space.

He also discusses the balance between civil, commercial and national security missions, and how companies like Redwire are shaping the new economy beyond Earth. With decades of experience at the forefront of satellite and space systems, Tadros offers a unique perspective on where the industry is heading — and why the next era of exploration could be even more transformative than the Apollo years.

Read more: The full transcript for the episode.

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