Manifest Space with Morgan Brennan

2025 is kicking off with a series of lunar missions. As soon as next week, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost will launch for a 60 day voyage that will eventually take the lunar lander to the moon. Firefly Aerospace CEO Jason Kim joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the milestone moon mission, what he expects the $2 billion startup to accomplish this year, and what the incoming Trump administration could mean for space exploration Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Shield AI has had a big year: the $2.8 billion startup’s AI technology was used to autonomously fly F16 fighter jets, rescue Israeli hostages, and detect Russian missile systems in Ukraine. Brandon Tseng, the company’s co-founder & president says a military transformation is occurring, and that international forces are moving faster than the U.S. in adopting new technologies. Tseng joined Morgan Brennan last month from the Reagan Nation Defense Forum to discuss the future of warfare, a new collaboration with Palantir, and what he’d like to see from the incoming Trump administration. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Earlier this week, SpaceX launched its third rocket in a 24-hour span to launch for SES, a communications satellite operator. The mission, launching the Luxembourg-based company’s O3B mPOWER satellites, will carry upgrades to address power issues experienced on earlier additions to the constellation. As the rocket awaited liftoff, SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh joined Morgan Brennan to discuss the future of broadband, competing with SpaceX’s Starlink, and the latest on the company’s $3 billion acquisition of U.S. based Intelsat. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Defense tech has gone mainstream with a growing number of entrepreneurs and investors working in the incoming Trump administration. Katherine Boyle, a general partner at a16z, was dubbed an early investor to this trend, co-founding the VC firm’s American Dynamism practice in January 2020. Boyle joins Morgan Brennan from the Reagan Defense Forum to discuss Trump 2.0, the technologies she’s most excited about right now, and the outlook for her investment thesis. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing, blasted into 2025 with the launch of its long-awaited Vulcan Centaur rocket earlier this year. With a long history of launching national security missions, the company is now moving into commercial markets with the help of Vulcan and contracts with the likes of Amazon. ULA CEO Tory Bruno joins Morgan Brennan from the Reagan National Defense Forum to discuss the evolving launch market, what Trump 2.0 will mean for commercial space, and what the future of Boeing’s commercial space will mean for the company. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Anduril Industries is a fast-growing defense tech startup best know for attack drones, robot submarines and unmanned fighter jets. The company is now forging forward into the next domain: space. Earlier in November, Anduril won a $100 million contract with the U.S Space Force to upgrade its military satellite sensor network. The company is also developing its own spacecraft, partnering with other venture-backed space startups like Apex and Impulse Space. On this episode, Senior Vice President of Engineering Gokul Subramanian joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the next frontier. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Blue Origin just launched its ninth crewed mission—but is suborbital flight the only route to space? Space Perspective is developing its own near-space experience: offering high-altitude balloon rides for a fraction of the cost. The startup, which boasts 1,800 reservations, aims to send passengers just twenty miles above the earth for its voyages, still giving passengers an expansive view of the planet. CEO Michael Savage joins Morgan Brennan to discuss making space more accessible and affordable, plus how the company is viewing brand and marketing opportunities like Space Oreos Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President-Elect Trump is set to be back in the White House, with space policy set to change accordingly. Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the future of the Artemis lunar program, space as the forefront of national security and geopolitics—plus, whether Bridenstine would consider rejoining the space agency. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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When it comes to capital in space and defense technology, the government and VC investors have remained king. But Leonid Capital Partners is doing something different: pivoting the industry to private credit. With the firm, companies—including clients like ABL Space Systems, Canopy Aerospace, Phase Four and more— can borrow against their government contracts. Co-Founder & President James Parker joins Morgan Brennan to discuss what’s enticing him now and the investing landscape writ large. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Maxar Space Systems is pioneering a new way to observe Earth from space. One of the original satellite manufacturing companies, CEO Chris Johnson joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the evolution of the company, advancements in satellite technology, and Maxar's role in NASA's Artemis program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the wake of Hurricane Milton – space companies like ICEYE are enabling real-time data and analysis of conditions on the ground. ICEYE U.S. CEO Eric Jensen joins Morgan Brennan to lay out how the company is collecting data of earth to help governments and companies respond faster and how the startup is channeling Apple to build its satellites. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Department of Defense is prepared to award nearly $1 billion in loans to jumpstart technology critical to national security. The office, established in 2022, recently issued a Notice of Funding Availability laying out the criteria and application process for the Pentagon loans. The loans can be awarded to 31 categories ranging from quantum science to space propulsion. OSC Director Jason Rathje joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the new program and the intersection between technology and national security. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The U.S. Commerce Department has unveiled a proposed a ban on Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles on American roads—but it could expand to drones and other technology. Skydio co-founder & CEO Adam Bry joins Morgan Brennan on the heels of his company’s customer day. The largest maker of drones in the U.S., Bry and Brennan discuss the future of the technology, implications for public safety, & potential for package delivery by drones. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

World leaders and policymakers are meeting for both the UN General Assembly and Climate Week this week: a primetime for Planet Labs’s latest product launch and satellite success. The company, which operates the largest earth observation constellation in low-Earth orbit, has unveiled the world’s first-ever forest carbon monitoring system at 3 meter resolution. Additionally, the publicly traded company revealed images from it new hyperspectral satellite, Tanager-1. CEO Will Marshall joins Morgan Brennan to discuss AI in the space race, and why he believes his company is positioning itself for a “multi-trillion dollar transition to a sustainable economy.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Polaris Dawn has done the impossible: making history with private citizens conducting a spacewalk. The extravehicular activity was done to test SpaceX’s new suits. Fresh off of splashdown, mission commander & Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the view from his walk, how this space mission compared to Inspiration4— his previous venture—and the path ahead for the Polaris Program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AST SpaceMobile has successfully launched its first five Bluebird commercial satellites, in a major step towards building space-based service for smartphones. Founder & CEO Abel Avellan joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the company’s direct-to-cell service, how the business model compares to competitors like SpaceX’s Starlink, and whether the company has the cash it needs to build out a constellation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AST SpaceMobile has successfully launched its first five Bluebird commercial satellites, in a major step towards building space-based service for smartphones. AT&T has been a strategic partner of the company since 2018, as well as a key investor and beneficiary of the mass market. Fresh off the launch, AT&T Head of Networks Chris Sambar, joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the commercial partnership, how its venture differs from Verizon’s investment in the company, and the future of satellites for smartphones. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Within the next decade, thousands of satellites are set to head to space, but satellites may need to duck for cover. As more payloads enter low Earth orbit, space junk— debris from previous rocket launches, inactive satellites, and more—is also on the rise. LeoLabs is a startup that analyzes it all, and says number of active payloads it tracks has increased tenfold. With an additional 13,000 pieces of debris in orbit, what’s the future of space traffic management? CEO Tony Frazier joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the trajectory of space traffic, using AI to analyze satellites, and his six months on the job. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From astronauts stuck at the I.S.S. to Blue Origin’s latest suborbital spaceflight, it’s been a big week for human spaceflight. Commercial players have dominated the skies since the development of the Commercial Crew Program—helping to kick off a new era of public-private partnerships in space. Lori Garver, NASA’s former Deputy Administrator, was a key architect in the program. She joins Morgan Brennan to parse through how Boeing can recover from its latest Starliner struggles, Polaris Dawn’s prospects of launch, and space policy come the November 2024 election. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A boom in private human spaceflight is on the horizon as more heavy-lift rockets come online. But at the ISS is set to retire in 2030, what is the future of space stations? Private players are stepping in to meet demand, with Gravitics, a Washington-based in-space infrastructure startup, a likely winner in the space. Founder & CEO Colin Doughan joins Morgan Brennan to discuss commercializing low-earth orbit, supplying hardware to commercial space stations, and its recent $125 million deal with Axiom Space. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Only a few years after Jared Isaacman made history with the first all-private human spaceflight, he announced a new series of missions in partnership with SpaceX. He unveiled the Polaris program: a series of tech demonstration missions to culminate in the first crewed flight of SpaceX’s Starship. After thousands of hours of training, the first of the missions – Polaris Dawn—is scheduled to lift off from Kennedy Space Center as early as this month. The crew, including Mission Commander Jared Isaacman, Mission Pilot Scott Kidd Poteet, and Mission Specialists Sarah Gillis & Ana Menon, join Morgan Brennan from their training center at SpaceX HQ to discuss their training, expectations for their mission, attempting the first commercial spacewalk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The U.S. Space Force was stood up in 2019 as the first new military service in over seventy years. Now, nearly five years since its establishment, the orbital battleground has shifted—towards what General Raymond calls the first commercial space war. Since retiring from active duty in 2022, General Raymond now serves as a senior managing director at Cerberus, and sits on the board of several space startups including Axiom Space and Impulse Space. He joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the risk of nuclear war in space, public-private partnerships and the state of the U.S. Space Force. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

CesiumAstro has cornered the market on an uncommon, but soon-to-be crucial part of the telecommunications market: phased array communications. The startup recently closed a Series B+ funding round with investors spanning across the Development Bank of Japan, L3Harris Technologies and Airbus Ventures. Founder & CEO Shey Sabripour joins Morgan Brennan to discus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ursa Major is having a change of the guard. Founder Joe Laurienti is passing the CEO title onto former Maxar CEO Dan Jablonsky. With the change to take effect next week, Morgan Brennan sits down with Laurienti and Jablonsky to layout the transition, the propulsion startup's gameplan going forward, and what it all means for growth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The rocket industry is racing towards full reusability. It’s not just SpaceX’s Starship exploring the space. Stoke Space, founded by Blue Origin alumni, is developing Nova, a fully reusable medium-lift rocket. The startup also hopes to fly Nova as soon as late 2025. CEO Andy Lapsa joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the economics of fully and rapidly reusable rockets. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization covering the global space industry, is out with its annual Space Report. Forecasting that the worldwide space economy is worth $570 billion, the group forecasts it’ll be worth $1 trillion. CEO Heather Pringle joins Morgan Brennan to discuss what’s propelling the growth, the challenges, and digs into the numbers in the report. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Relativity Space is a CNBC Disruptor 50 company,backed by BlackRock, Baillie Gifford and Fidelity. After launching its Terran-1 rocket, it’s now turned to its medium to heavy-life rocket, on pace to fly for the first time in 2026. CEO Tim Ellis joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the new rocket, the intersection of generative AI & 3D printing and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Canadian Space Agency has awarded MDA Space $1 billion to develop an autonomous robotic arm for the lunar Gateway. The space station will serve as a lunar outpost and house Artemis astronauts for NASA and international space partners. MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley joins Morgan Brennan to discuss Canadaarm3, the new space race, and the critical role of AI and robotics in the lunar economy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Venture capital is back on the rise for space technology – especially for defense and national security contractors. Apeis the latest to benefit, raising $95 million in a Series B round to ramp production of its satellite bus production. On this episode of Manifest Space, Apex CEO Ian Cinnamon sits down with Morgan Brennan to discuss the company’s Series B capital raise, the competitive landscape, and the long-term vision for Apex. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As the space economy has skyrocketed, so too has coverage. Payload secured funding in 2021 and has grown into a space media hub, newsletters, podcasts, research and events. As it expands into other areas of coverage such as nuclear energy, co-founder Mo Islam joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the big trends tracking for space, how payload is opening up opportunities beyond the final frontier. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As SpaceX’s Starship continues its development, some companies are preparing for the radical change it will bring to the space economy. Astrolab, a startup focused on building lunar rovers, was founded by former SpaceX employee Jaret Matthews to meet that need. The company was recently selected by NASA to design lunar terrain vehicles with the hopes of making the rovers Artemis astronauts will use to drive around the moon as soon as 2030. Morgan Brennan sits down with Astrolab CEO Jaret Matthews to discuss the contracts, a Starship economy, and the startup’s plans for its first mission that will launch as soon as 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Verizon is the latest telecom giant to partner with AST SpaceMobile, a small cap satellite operator. Founder & CEO Abel Avellan joins Morgan Brennan to break down the deal’s details, the company’s satellite constellation and future work with government contractors. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As agriculture becomes increasingly connected and autonomous, space is helping to enable the surge in services. CNH Industrial is the latest to level up its satellite communications, partnering with Intelsat to bring satellite communications to precision farming in rural areas. CEO Scott Wine joins Morgan Brennan to dig into the collaboration, what space can bring to farming and the global agricultural downturn. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Just two years after its founding, startup Vast is one of several startups aiming to put the first commercial space station into orbit. The startup is developing Haven 1, aiming to launch it next year. CEO Max Haot joins Morgan Brennan from the 2024 Space Symposium to discuss his company’s ambitious plans, creating gravity in space, and its partnership with SpaceX. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Could microgravity be used to print human organs? Redwire announced this week it had successfully bio-printed the first live human heart tissue sample. CEO Peter Cannito joins Morgan Brennan from Space Symposium in Colorado Springs ahead of the announcement to discuss the technology. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After nearly a decade, Boeing’s Starliner is about to embark on its first-ever crewed flight. The CFT is scheduled to lift off as soon as tonight. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the milestone, the role of commercial space in the space agency’s outlook, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From leadership upheaval to a lunar launch on deck – 2024 is poised to be a breakout year for space startup Firefly Aerospace. CEO Bill Weber joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the slew of projects at the end-to-end space transportation company from this year’s Space Symposium. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SES is acquiring rival satellite operator Intelsat for $3.1 billion, in a deal that brings together two major communications satellite operators in a market facing increased competition. SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the deal, the competitive landscape and where he sees the future of satellite communications. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As mega-constellations proliferate, satellite communications is skyrocketing-- and so is the need to regulate them. In response, the FCC launched its Space Bureau one year ago this month. Since the reorganization, it's taken on space junk, emergency satellite cell service, issuing licenses for lunar landers, and more. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the agency's operations and how she views its role in the new space economy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As geopolitical tensions have soared this week, the role of space as a warfighting domain becomes ever-more critical. A key topic at the Space Symposium, Boeing’s Space Intelligence & Weapon System Vice President and General Manager Kay Sears sits down with Morgan Brennan to discuss space exploration and rising demand for national security in the final frontier. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While space billionaires have a slew of visions for the future of humanity, few are literally reaching for the stars literally. Kam Ghaffarian, the co-founder of Axiom Space, Intuitive Machines and more, joins Morgan Brennan from the Space Symposium to discuss the trillion-dollar opportunity in the space economy, nuclear reactors and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aerospace has grown 88% over the past two decades – more than any other emerging industry in metro Denver and Boulder in that period. With 191 aerospace companies in the region, Voyager Space stands out as a rapidly growing multinational space conglomerate. Founder and CEO Dylan Taylor joins Morgan Brennan to discuss how and why the aerospace industry is thriving in Denver and how one entrepreneur is channeling the economic boom to build the Berkshire Hathaway of space. Tune into “Cities of Success” tonight at 10PM ET tonight for the latest episode of “Cities of Success” – an hour-long special highlighting business and cultural powerhouses across the country. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sierra Space, a private space tech company valued at $5.3 billion has been thirty years in the making. Now, it’s unveiling a line of buses—the main bodies of satellites—to sell to others. CEO Tom Vice joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the product launch, its Dream Chaser spaceplane’s maiden voyage, and plans to go public. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if AI could make weather forecasts more accurate? Spire Global has been tracking the accuracy of AI-driven weather prediction models using its own satellite data. Now partnering with Nvidia, CEO Peter Platzer joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the collaboration, the massive market for weather forecasting, and the 12 year old company’s path to profitability. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fortuna Investments, which rose to fame with early bets on lithium, is now setting its sights on another frontier market. Founder & partner Justus Parmar joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the opportunities in the space space, why now is the time to invest, and his bullish case for Jeff Bezo’s Blue Origin. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trimble, a leader in geospatial technology and player in the Internet of Things (IOT), is reaping the benefits of its initial bet on GPS 46 years ago. Trading at multi-year highs, the company is building on the momentum that stems from building hardware & software for construction, agriculture, transportation, and more. CEO Rob Painter joins Morgan Brennan to discuss Trimble’s portfolio and the role of space in software applications. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In another milestone for SpaceX, Elon Musk’s space venture blasted off this morning and traveled to space. The most powerful rocket ever reached orbital velocity and carried out a number of ambitious tests. Space Capital Managing Partner and early SpaceX investor Chad Anderson joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the mission and future moves for the company. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Interlune is emerging from stealth, closing an $18 million seed funding round, led by Reddit co-founder Alex Ohanian’s firm 776. Founded by two former Blue Origin executives, the startup aims to harvest natural resources from space and sell to commercial and government customers. CEO Rob Meyerson joins Morgan Brennan to lay out the company’s strategy and building out the in-space industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.