18. Bhavya Lal: "Incorporating the Solar System into Our Economic Sphere" - The Relevance of Artemis and NASA to National Strategy and National Security

In this episode, AFPC Senior Fellow in Defense Studies, Dr. Peter Garretson discusses President Trump's August 28, 2026 "Starfleet & Settlement" speech given at Johnson space center with space policy luminaries Charles Miller and Jim Muncy. In this speech, the President used the word "settlement" and "frontier" in the context of space and the Moon. The guests argue that these are not merely rhetorical flourishes but signal a fundamental transformation in how the U.S. approaches space—shifting from a government-run exploration program to a citizen-led, commercially driven settlement agenda analogous to America's westward expansion. Miller draws historical parallels to Jamestown and Plymouth, emphasizing that successful settlements require both living off the land (ISRU) and a viable export market, and that the same principles must apply to a Lunar settlement. Muncy highlights that the word "settlement" has been fiercely contested for decades within the aerospace establishment, making the president's explicit use of it historically significant. The discussion covers practical next steps, including establishing a Lunar Authority modeled on commercial real estate frameworks, accelerating fully reusable launch systems, and redirecting NASA to design its Lunar base with eventual handoff to private settlers in mind. Both guests also connect the frontier thesis to the preservation of American liberty and character, invoking Frederick Jackson Turner's 1893 essay on the closing of the frontier and arguing that reopening it in space is essential to preventing national decline. They discuss the implications for NASA and the U.S. military (Space Force and USSPACECOM). The episode concludes with optimism that the Trump administration, given its track record of bold space actions, may follow the speech with executive orders or legislation formalizing a space settlement agenda.

In this episode, Peter Garretson sits down with Steve Kwast, Lt Gen, USAF (Ret.), PhD, Co-Founder and Chairman of SpaceBilt, Inc., to explore the infrastructure and logistics demands of an emerging Space Economy spanning Cislunar Space and beyond. During their discussion, they outline the strategic importance of space logistics to commerce and national security. They delve into the challenges and advantages of being a small company, and the impact of administration policies and executive orders. They assess the U.S. competitive position with respect to China and what’s at stake. Gen. Kwast also shares insights from his work with Congress and the Administration. The episode closes with a look at the recent White House initiative on Space Nuclear power, and what steps can be taken now to move things in the right direction.

In this episode, Peter Garretson sits down with ⁠Christopher Stone⁠ to assess two major recent developments in U.S. space policy: the December Executive Order on ⁠Ensuring American Space Superiority⁠, and the newly released Space Force ⁠Future Operating Environment 2040⁠ alongside its Objective Force. Together, they break down what the Space Force got right, what it got wrong, what's missing, and where U.S. space strategy should go from here.

In this episode, Peter Garretson talks with serial Space Entrepreneur Charles Miller. They discuss Charles' latest piece Cracking the Code on the Lunar Economy. The two delve into the Evolved Lunar Architecture Study vision, its impact, the first instantiation of Artemis, and the latest changes following the NASA Ignition event. They focus on the Trump White House executive order's goals of Lunar Economic Development and garnering $50B in new private space investment, as well as what is at stake with regard to China. They analyze the utility of using an "Authority" to build the Moon base—and how it should be created, and who could / should create it. They review Miller's early work as a policy entrepreneur in the L5 Society (now NSS), creation of ProSpace, Space Frontier Foundation, and March Storm. Then his work founding Nanoracks, then Lynk Global. They examine his work on the NSSO Space Solar Power Study and on the USAF's Fast Space Study and their impact. They conclude with big picture discussion about what it means to 'win' and a space strategy worthy of the nation, and inspirational words for space entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Peter Garretson talks with Heather Pringle, Maj Gen, USAF (Ret.), PhD, CEO of Space Foundation. They discuss the 2026 Space Symposium and its themes. 2026 marks a major shift from aspirational vision to concrete execution, with unprecedented scale in participation (343 exhibitors, 50+nations). The conversation covers the current trends: Golden Dome ($175B), NASA's Lunar Base ($20B), the SpaceX IPO ($1.75T valuation), and the increasing role of finance. They also address the importance of AI, the new demands for scale, and the need for a workforce to support it. They touch on the Space Foundation's work to ensure next generation talent, and the Space Generation Advisory Council. They close by talking about Pringle's career path, lessons learned from AFRL and the transition to Space Foundation, and the exciting conversations ahead to take the space ecosystem to the next level.