| In this episode, host Mike Gruss speaks with Robert Lightfoot, president of Lockheed Martin Space.
Lightfoot describes the company's large space portfolio — from building weather and GPS satellites to advancing missile defense and next-generation interceptors. He shares how Lockheed is adapting to faster, more agile ways of working, explores the evolving economics of space and reflects on how the U.S. can protect critical assets in an increasingly contested domain. Plus, a look ahead to ambitious milestones such as the Artemis moon missions and a potential 2028 space-based interceptor test.
Here's a preview:
MG: One of the ways that protection has come up a lot, especially these last maybe nine or ten months, has been Golden Dome. There's a whole range of options on the table right now. How are you talking about this, or how are you seeing this work—technically, contractually? What might Lockheed's role be? Talk to me from a big-picture perspective.
RL: Yeah, well, that's where you have to start—with the big picture. I start with the threat. Historically, as a nation, we've had the advantage—or at least the mental comfort—of two oceans separating us from a lot of threats, which can give you a false sense that we're okay. It's hard to get to us. But now our adversaries have the capability to reach out and touch us in ways they couldn't 20 or 30 years ago—whether that's Russia or China. The threat is real.
MG: You were on the other side of the table for a long time, in government. What have you learned switching seats? How do you think differently now about how both sides can work together?
RL: What's struck me most is that even though we have the Federal Acquisition Regulation, different agencies apply it differently. On the industry side, I see the financial impact of government investment decisions. What's the return on investment? What's the carrot? Historically, acquisitions became too transactional—focused on legal terms rather than mission. We need shoulder-to-shoulder partnerships.
Listen to the whole conversation.
On our next episode, SpaceNews' Mike Gruss sits down with Andrew Jones, our China correspondent. Subscribe to Space Minds on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you watch or listen to shows.
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