Astronomy Prints 🌌: Some Golden Dome questions answered 🤖

It was a busy week as we published two Space Minds podcast episodes and hosted an important Golden Dome webinar that had just under 1000 attendees watching.

The first Space Minds episode that dropped this week was a live session recorded at the AIAA Ascend conference titled Mission to market – The evolution of CLPS program. With representatives from Intuitive Machines, ispace US and Nokia Bell Labs it provided an assessment of where we are, and where we're going.

The second Space Minds episode to drop this week was a discussion on our recently released white paper titled Understanding the SpaceX-Era Economy from our brand SN Intelligence. You won't want to miss author Jason Rainbow's insights.

During the summer we're trying some different formats for our Space Minds podcast. But fret not, we'll still be doing some great insightful shows from events like the Small Satellite conference and the World Space Business Week. But we'll mix in a few other pods and see what you think. You can send your feedback to spaceminds@spacenews.com.

If you're interested in sponsoring webinars or Space Minds, including at the World Space Business Week, don't hesitate to reach out to the sales team.

UPCOMING LIVE EVENT

Space Based Solar Power

As global energy demands grow space-based solar power (SBSP) may offer a compelling long-term solution. A comprehensive international assessment completed under the International Academy of Astronautics concluded that solar power satellites (SPS) could deliver continuous, large-scale electricity from orbit to Earth — unaffected by weather or time of day.

Traditional renewables and existing infrastructure alone may not be sufficient to meet the worlds energy future needs. SBSP represents a high-potential alternative: by capturing solar energy in space and transmitting it wirelessly to Earth, it can deliver uninterrupted power on a global scale.

Join us on August 14th as we explore the technical, economic and policy landscape of space-based solar power. Learn how this decades-old concept may soon become a key component of the global energy portfolio — and what steps are needed to get there.

WATCH THE REPLAY

Golden Dome – Data and AI: Some Questions Answered

Discover how the U.S. Department of Defense could leverage advanced data and artificial intelligence to transform space-based defense through its Golden Dome initiative. Next-generation AI-powered systems, designed to integrate vast streams of satellite and sensor data, could deliver real-time situational awareness, predictive threat detection and autonomous decision support across defense networks.

This live event explored the critical role of data fusion, machine learning and edge AI in enabling the Golden Dome's mission: building a resilient, intelligent architecture to safeguard U.S. interests.

Watch the replay as leading experts unpack what is needed to build the technological backbone of this strategic initiative and its implications for the future of national security.

REPLAY

SPACE MINDS PODCAST - SPECIAL EPISODE

Mission to market – The evolution of CLPS

In this bonus edition of Space Minds, host David Ariosto moderates the panel "Mission to Market: The Evolution of CLPS" at the AIAA Ascend conference. We explored the future of lunar exploration at the intersection of technology, geopolitics, and commercial innovation through NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.

We then unpacked the transition from demonstration to regularization, the promise of lunar infrastructure, and the competition fueling both innovation and strategic national interests. From relaying data via lunar orbiters to shrinking 5G networks into pizza-box payloads, the conversation reveals how government policy, commercial viability, and science are converging to redefine humanity's presence beyond Earth.

The panelists were: Tim Crain, Chief Technology Officer, Intuitive Machines; Tyler Mundt, Executive Vice President, Engineering, ispace US and; Thierry Klein, President, Bell Labs Solutions Research, Nokia Bell Labs.

SPACE MINDS PODCAST

Understanding the SpaceX-Era Economy

In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss speaks with SpaceNews Senior Staff Writer and Business Intelligence Manager Jason Rainbow about the white paper, Understanding the SpaceX-Era Economy, released from our new product brand SN Intelligence.

The conversation kicks off with a deep dive into SpaceX's overwhelming dominance in the launch market and explores how the company's relentless push for innovation—especially through reusability and the ambitious Starship program—is redefining the global space economy. From transforming launch economics to influencing geopolitics and reshaping communications, SpaceX's reach extends far beyond rockets. Tune in as the hosts dissect the ripple effects of Elon Musk's space empire and preview what's next in this dynamic, rapidly evolving industry.

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