The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to enjoy our rollout for our newest policy paper: Securing Cislunar Space and the First Island Off the Coast of Earth by Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies. He was joined by Thomas A. Lockhart Jr., Director, Capability and Resource Integration, U.S. Space Command, Dr. Joel B. Mozer, former United States Space Force Director of Science, Technology and Research, and Jim Bridenstine, former NASA administrator. The event was moderated by Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE). This paper discusses how the United States and China are locked in a race to harness the scientific, economic, and national security benefits related to the exploration of the Moon and the region of space affected by the gravity of both the Earth and Moon, known as the cislunar regime. The USSF and U.S. Space Command must have the capabilities to secure growing interests in this region and help the United States and our allies win the race. Losing means we risk the authoritarian territorial mindset of China becoming the established norm, impeding freedom of operations, and threatening peaceful endeavors, just as we are seeing in the South China Sea.  Modest, early investment is crucial to winning this race and reduces the future need for larger investments to overcome an advantage ceded to China.

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to the Schriever Spacepower Series with Lt Gen DeAnna Burt, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear. Lt Gen Burt discusses the state of space operations and initiatives to assure continued access to and use of the space domain in the face of increasing kinetic, non-kinetic, and cyber threats. This event was moderated by Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE).

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to the rollout of our newest policy paper: Winds of Change: Environmental Monitoring for an Era of Peer Competition by Tim Ryan, Senior Fellow for Spacepower Studies, Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) . The discussion was joined by Col Patrick C. Williams, Director of Weather, U.S. Air Force, and Lt Col Joseph L. Maguadog, Materiel Leader, EO/IR Weather Systems, Space Systems Command. The discussion was moderated by Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, MI-SPACE. The U.S. military requires a more effective, reliable, and resilient space-based environmental monitoring (SBEM) capability. The ability to employ forces, launch munitions, and coordinate actions in the terrestrial battlespace depends on environmental conditions. However, the weather mission is often taken for granted, and the current space-based weather satellites are old, fragile, and in dire need of reset. This report explores the SBEM mission, explains the Space Force’s future vector, and discusses how new mission demands, like JADC2, are impacting this undertaking.

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to our Aerospace Nation event with Mr. Thomas J. Lawhead, acting Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force Futures. Mr. Lawhead discussed how his organization embodies “the voice of tomorrow’s airmen,” with the mission of ensuring that the Air Force is organized, trained, and equipped to successfully face competitors with confidence in future conflicts. Mr. Lawhead also covered the most impactful trends forecasted by Air Force Futures and how they inform long-term force planning and capability requirements.

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to our Aerospace Nation event with Lt Gen Kevin B. Kennedy, Commander, Sixteenth Air Force; Commander, Air Forces Cyber, and Commander, Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber (Air Force). Lt Gen Kennedy discussed the priorities of the Sixteenth Air Force regarding cyber and electronic capabilities, along with their associated operational concepts and strategies.

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to Schriever Spacepower Series with Dr. Lisa Costa, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer (CTIO). Dr Costa discussed how the United States Space Force is leveraging digital technologies such as Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis (MS&A) and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) to increase the effects generated by a lean Guardian workforce. This event was moderated by Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE).

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to Aerospace Nation with Gen Luca Goretti, Chief of Staff, Italian Air Force. Gen Goretti discussed Italian Air Force priorities regarding technologies, operational concepts, and associated strategies. Our two air forces operate common systems like the F-35 and MQ-9, plus the two air forces have shared security interests around the globe. This creates a key allied relationship rooted in the advocacy of using airpower to provide options for our nation’s leaders to address security challenges. The partnership of the U.S. and Italian Air Force is a model for building synergy in an allied relationship. Hear from one of the leading airpower voices in Europe.

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to Schriever Spacepower Series with Maj Gen Christopher Povak, Deputy Director, National Reconnaissance Office. General Povak joined us to discuss the latest details regarding how the NRO develops, acquires, launches, and operates the latest space-based intelligence assets. This event was moderated by Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE).

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to enjoy Aerospace Nation with Brig Gen Michael Zuhlsdorf, Deputy Director, Resource Integration - Engineering, Logistics, and Force Protection; Col James Hartle, Associate Director of Logistics, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection; Col Patrick Launey, Chief, Logistics Readiness Division and Logistics Readiness Officer Career Field Manager, Directorate of Logistics; and Mr. Todd Serres, Associate Chief, Command and Control and Integrated Air and Missile Defense Division within the Training and Readiness Directorate/DCS Operations. As the leads for Secretary Frank Kendall’s fifth operational imperative, “Defining optimized resilient basing, sustainment, and communications in a contested environment,” Brig Gen Zuhlsdorf, Col Hartle, Col Launey, and Mr. Serres joined us to share their perspectives on these key topics, with particular focus on the U.S. Air Force's approach to Agile Combat Employment (ACE).

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to our Schriever Spacepower Series event with Lt Gen John E. Shaw, Deputy Commander, U.S. Space Command. Gen Shaw discussed the various challenges facing U.S. Space Command in its mission to protect and defend critical space systems from the growing threats posed by China and Russia, as well as provide insights into the Command’s plans for its continuing support to the joint fight around the world.