That’s a wrap on this season of ESG in Space! Across eight episodes, we've looked into how sustainability, governance, and innovation shape the evolving space economy. So, what’s changed? Quite a bit. And what matters now more than ever? In this season wrap-up, Ian Christensen joins hosts Miki Sode and Nishan Degnarain to reflect on the insights, shifts, and standout moments from the journey so far. “Maybe we don’t talk as much about ESG as a lens, but some of the driving considerations behind t...
Jun 05, 2025•30 min
"A Singaporean Vision for Space Sustainability" featuring Jonathan Hung, Head of Singapore’s National Space Office The Secure World Foundation (SWF) and Exponential Academy are proud to present Episode 8 of the “ESG in Space” podcast series, spotlighting an insightful conversation with Jonathan Hung, Head of the Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn)—Singapore’s National Space Office. In this episode, Jonathan shares Singapore’s evolving journey in the space domain—from the establishme...
May 21, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 8
From Space to the Last Mile: Turning Satellite Data into Climate Resilience with Kevin Stein In Episode 8 of ESG in Space , hosts Nishan Degnarain and Miki Sode are joined by Kevin Stein , CEO and co-founder of Delos, a wildfire-focused insurance company powered by satellite data. Drawing on his background in aerospace engineering and spacecraft design, Kevin shares how his team pivoted from space hardware development to creating practical insurance solutions that directly address the growing ri...
May 08, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Designing Sustainability Into the Space Sector: Insights from Europe In Episode 7 of ESG in Space , hosts Nishan Degnarain and Miki Sode sit down with sustainability strategist Sabrina Alam , whose cross-sector work spans theoretical physics, government policy, and commercial space. Currently at KPMG Luxembourg, Sabrina shares a deep dive into how Europe is embedding ESG principles into its space infrastructure, from satellite design to lifecycle assessments and regulatory policy. This episode e...
Apr 23, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Harnessing Satellite Data and AI for Global Impact with Bruno Sánchez-Andrade Nuño Secure World Foundation is pleased to announce the fifth episode of ESG in Space , a podcast series in collaboration with Exponential Academy, hosted by Nishan Degnarain and Miki Sode. This conversation features Bruno Sánchez-Andrade Nuño, Executive Director and Founder of Clay. In this episode, Bruno shares how open data, satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence can work together to power social good. He wa...
Apr 03, 2025•32 min
Exploring Life Beyond Earth and the Role of Inclusive Governance with Bill Diamond Secure World Foundation is pleased to announce the release of the fourth episode of ESG in Space , a podcast series in collaboration with Exponential Academy, hosted by Nishan Degnarain and Miki Sode. This episode features a wide-ranging conversation with Bill Diamond, President and CEO of the SETI Institute. In this episode, Bill shares his perspective on the evolving space economy, the importance of scientific r...
Mar 26, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Exploring NASA, SpaceX, and the Evolution of Space Ventures with Abhi Tripathi Secure World Foundation is thrilled to announce the release of the fifth episode of "ESG in Space," a podcast series in collaboration with Exponential Academy, hosted by Nishan Degnarain and Miki Sode. This episode features a fascinating discussion with Abhi Tripathi, Director of Mission Operations at UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Lab. In this episode, Abhi discusses his journey through the space sector, from his early...
Mar 12, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Behind the Scenes of ESG in Space: The Making of a Space Sustainability Podcast Take a trip with us into the backstory of the "ESG in Space" podcast series in this exclusive behind-the-scenes episode. Hosted by Nishan Degnarain and Miki Sode, this unique session features insights from Ian Christensen of Secure World Foundation, one of the key sponsors and collaborators in the series. This conversation sheds light on the motivations, challenges, and aspirations behind creating a podcast dedicated...
Feb 27, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Navigating the Expanding Universe of the Space Economy with Karen Jones Join us for the second episode of "ESG in Space," hosted by Nishan Degnarain and Miki Sode in partnership with Exponential Academy. This episode features Karen L. Jones, a senior project leader and space economist at The Aerospace Corporation, who brings deep insights into the evolving space economy. Karen discusses the critical role of satellite technology in supporting various industries—from telecommunications to environm...
Feb 27, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to "ESG in Space," a groundbreaking series brought to you by the Secure World Foundation and Exponential Academy. In this inaugural episode, join hosts Nishan Deeran and Mickey S.H. as they engage with James Cemmell, a seasoned space industry expert with a 17-year tenure shaping the sector’s landscape. James explores the transformation of space from a government-dominated realm to a vibrant arena of private innovation and discusses the vital role of satellites in societal advancements ac...
Feb 13, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Episode 4's guest is Nishan Degnarain, the CEO of EXO Solutions and Former Chair, World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Oceans. In this conversation with Nishan, recorded on December 2nd, 2022, themes discussed include sustainability in comparison between the ocean and space domains, development of effective ESG strategies in new investment sectors; and the opportunities for growth in sustainable space activities.
Dec 08, 2022•37 min
Episode 2's guest is Matthew Kuta, the Co-Founder, President, and Chief Operating Officer of Voyager Space Holdings. In this conversation with Matt, recorded on October 4th 2022, themes discussed include the increasing importance of ESG requirements for large investment capital sources; the possible role of ESG factors as a discriminator between companies in private equity investment decisions; and the challenges and outlooks for developing ESG practices and reporting for NewSpace companies....
Nov 10, 2022•33 min
Episode 2's guest is Matt O'Connell, Operating Partner at DCVC . In this conversation with Matt, recorded on August 26th, 2022, themes discussed include the links between sustainable operating practices in space and sustainable business results; the challenges of large constellations, and the need for improving information sharing as commercial space activities expand. The discussion also covers both the benefits and downsides of ESG motivations in the space sector....
Oct 27, 2022•39 min
Episode 1's guest is Mark Boggett, CEO and Managing Partner of Seraphim . In this conversation with Mark, recorded on August 1st 2022, themes discussed include the contribution of ESG factors in driving investment activity; the ways in which venture capital funds can interact with portfolio companies to address sustainability; and the role of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for tracking investment outcomes.
Oct 13, 2022•38 min
What are the most pressing challenges confronting governments, industry and civil society in terms of building capacity for implementing international space sustainability guidelines, and what steps should each of these three sectors prioritize to build such capacity? This panel of leading international experts shared their thoughts on how governments, industry and civil society can jointly build capacity in the space community to support the implementation of the international guidelines for sp...
Jul 29, 2020•1 hr 59 min
Secure World Foundation and the ISS National Labs co-hosted the first in a two-event series, one in the San Francisco Bay area and one in Washington, DC. This series is designed to highlight and examine the socioeconomic benefits of the International Space Station. Global efforts like the Sustainable Development Goals are benefiting from work being done on ISS but these activities have received little attention. Speakers comprised a diverse group of ISS National Lab partners, data end-users, and...
Mar 27, 2020•1 hr 28 min
Many earth scientists unknowingly use special allocations of spectrum that are reserved for the collection and transmission of hydrometeorological data, particularly involving weather satellites. These allocations, for example, provide rebroadcasts of geostationary weather satellite imagery, transmit National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data to academic and industry partners, and enable passive microwave sensing of weather systems over the ocean. Data received through these all...
Oct 01, 2019•58 min
Recorded in Washington, DC on September 26, 2019. Since 2016, Secure World Foundation (SWF) has partnered with the U.S. Department of State to host multiple Space Weather as a Global Challenge events to facilitate discussions on the impacts of space weather across the globe, and plans to collaborate in observation, modeling, prediction, and mitigation of harmful effects. This year’s Space Weather as a Global Challenge will be held in coordination with the Next Step Benchmarks Town Hall, an event...
Oct 01, 2019•1 hr 6 min
The growth in space activities has shifted space traffic management from an academic debate to real-world policy debate, yet there is still significant uncertainty about what it means and how to go about creating a workable regime. Should space traffic management be top-down with a global agreement on rules and standards? Or should it be done from the bottom-up with industry practices enshrined in national regulation? Who decides what the rules are, who they apply to, and how they are enforced? ...
Jul 17, 2019•56 min
Over the last several years, there has been a growing focus on two different conversations: one about the commercial and economic development of space, and another about the risk of conflict on Earth extending into space. Yet there is often very little dialogue on how these two issues interact and what impact each may have on the other. How might greater geopolitical instability or actual war in space impact commercialization? Can the private sector play a role in deterring space conflict or pro...
Jul 16, 2019•1 hr 6 min
Closing Keynote Delivered by NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine June 25, 2019 at the Summit for Space Sustainability.
Jul 12, 2019•39 min
The last decade has seen a surge in new actors entering the space domain. Many more countries are developing space programs and national law and policy while commercial startups are leveraging cheaper and better technology to do more with less. What are the benefits of the surge in new actors and what should we be wary of? What steps can the world take to ensure that new actors are contributing to space sustainability? | Moderator: Ian Christensen , SWF Director of Private Sector Programs Paneli...
Jul 12, 2019•1 hr 5 min
Delivered in on June 25 at the SWF Summit for Space Sustainability in Washington, DC.
Jul 11, 2019•35 min
This audio was recorded on June 25 during the SWF Summit for Space Sustainability at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. OPENING WELCOME & SWF VISION Krystal Wilson , SWF Director of Space Applications Programs, Summit Chair Peter Martinez , SWF Executive Director SETTING THE STAGE: SPOTLIGHT TALKS A series of short presentations by high-level experts on current situations, trends, and challenges in the space domain that impact space sustainability. State of the Space Environment - Ho...
Jul 11, 2019•2 hr 17 min
Recorded in Washington, DC on May 6, 2019 On March 27, 2019, India successfully tested an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon against one of its satellites. With this intercept, India became the fourth country to demonstrate this capability. While most of the debris that was created should be relatively short-lived, some of it will be around for months, if not years. What does this test mean for the future of space security and stability? Has a precedent been established about how to test an ASAT in a ...
May 15, 2019•1 hr 42 min
This audio was recorded in Washington, DC on March 29, 2019. On March 29, 2019, The Secure World Foundation hosted a panel discussion on "US-China Engagement in Space." A group of experts talked about how the United States and China interact in space and looked toward future possibilities for further engagement across commercial, civil, and national security issues. Speakers Moderator: Victoria Samson , SWF Washington Office Director Patrick Besha , Senior Policy Advisor for Strategic Engagement...
Apr 12, 2019•1 hr 37 min
Recorded in Washington DC, on December 6, 2018. The orbital space around the earth is increasingly utilized by many actors across the world. Satellites built and launched by governments that strictly served national security and scientific exploration purposes have given way to privately (and even amateur) built and commercially launched space objects. This growth in participation has increased the amount of stakeholders interested in preserving the orbital domain, but it has also increased the ...
Jan 07, 2019•1 hr 23 min
Recorded in Washington DC, on July 25, 2018. The SWEF brought together the space weather community to share information and ideas among policymakers, senior government leaders, researchers, private-sector service providers, space weather information users, media, and legislators and staff from Capitol Hill to raise awareness of space weather and its effects on society. This year's event sharpened the focus on critical infrastructure protection, with the necessary underpinnings of research, impro...
Aug 09, 2018•1 hr 27 min
Recorded in Washington DC, on July 25, 2018. The SWEF brought together the space weather community to share information and ideas among policymakers, senior government leaders, researchers, private-sector service providers, space weather information users, media, and legislators and staff from Capitol Hill to raise awareness of space weather and its effects on society. This year's event sharpened the focus on critical infrastructure protection, with the necessary underpinnings of research, impro...
Aug 09, 2018•1 hr 12 min
Recorded in Washington DC, on July 24, 2018. The Embassy of Japan, the U.S. Department of State, and Secure World Foundation held a discussion on space weather as a global challenge with a focus on research, operations and preparedness. This event updated the international community on progress made toward implementing the U.S. National Space Weather Strategy and Action Plan. This recording features presentations and a panel discussion about space weather's interaction with the commercial sector...
Aug 06, 2018•1 hr 11 min
