The U.S. Space Force revealed what it thinks could be the threats, where those threats are located, and what it will need by 2040. The revelations will not only serve the service branch, but should guide C-suites, entrepreneurs, investors, and technologists for years to come. Laura Winter speaks with Joel Mozer, the first Chief Scientist of the U.S. Space Force; and Peter Garretson, Senior Fellow in Defense Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council and author of three books on space power, the latest of which is “Space Shock: 18 Threats That Will Define Space Power.”

Artemis II is on its way to the Moon — the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years. Private credit is flashing warning signs, and SpaceX just filed for the largest IPO in history. The numbers, as one guest puts it, are “crazy pants.” Laura Winter speaks with The DownLink regulars Chris Quilty, founder of Quilty Space; and George Pullen, Partner and Chief Economist at MilkyWayEconomy.

At SatShow 2026 many government and business leaders admired the “incredibly dynamic” changes and the new challenges in the marketplace and investing. But what do they need to do to compete and thrive in it? Laura Winter speaks with Frank Backes, President, Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space-ISAC), former CEO, Capella Space, just recent President, IonQ Quantum Infrastructure.

Three years after the U.S. Space Force established the West Scholars program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), the Pentagon is killing this highly tailored and unique space-minded Senior Professional Military Education fellowship, along with other graduate-level opportunities at 21 other universities and think tanks. Laura Winter speaks with Joel Mozer, the first United States Space Force Director of Science, Technology and Research; and Lamont Colucci, Director of Concordia University’s National Security and Space Center, and the United States Space Force’s inaugural Director of Doctrine Development.

Paris-based Skynopy’s virtual Ground Station As A Service promises of faster data speeds and a network of partner ground stations has earned it contracts with AWS, Eutelsat, Airbus, and the French Defense Innovation Agency’s Aerospace Lab. Laura Winter speaks with Pierre Bertrand, co-Founder and CEO of Skynopy.

While the Supreme Court has ruled that President Donald Trump’s use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs is unconstitutional, experts warn that the administration has other means to extract from American businesses and consumers what would amount to import taxes. Space businesses are not immune, but they do have opportunities to shield their bottom lines. Laura Winter speaks with Bailey Reichelt, Founder and Attorney at Aegis Law; and Nick Baker, Managing Director of Transfer Pricing practice, and co-Lead of the Trade and Customs practice at Kroll.

This week U.S. President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak about how to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This episode explores recent space-related developments in Israel, Iran, and more generally the rest of the Middle-Eastern region. Laura Winter speaks with Lawrence Rubin, co-director of the Georgia Tech DC Program and an associate professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs.