Space Minds The space stories that will shape 2026
Dec 30, 2025
Sandra Erwin, SpaceNews reporter on military and national security space. Jason Rainbow, SpaceNews journalist covering satellite communications and industry trends. Jeff Foust, SpaceNews reporter focused on civil space and NASA policy. They discuss Space Force budgets and cyber threats. They cover LEO broadband, D2D rivalry and spectrum deals. They probe Artemis leadership, lunar programs, supply-chain limits and AI in spacecraft.
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Amazon Could Reshape LEO Broadband
- Amazon's LEO broadband roll-out will turn the market into a two-player contest with far-reaching industry effects.
- Jason Rainbow expects that shift to reshape competition, pricing, and satellite broadband dynamics.
Watch The 2027 Space Force Budget Request
- Track the Trump administration's 2027 Space Force budget request and five-year projection for program direction signals.
- Sandra Erwin says those documents will indicate winners, losers, and funding priorities for military space programs.
AI Becoming Integral To Spacecraft
- AI is moving from a novelty to a core spacecraft capability for autonomy and swarm coordination.
- Debra Werner predicts AI will soon be as fundamental to spacecraft as propulsion.