The Kármán Line

What is the true balance between human spaceflight and robotic exploration when it comes to science, inspiration, and decision-making capabilities? How is space transitioning from a niche frontier to an everyday commercial workplace? What role do regulatory frameworks, such as the United Nations, the Artemis Accords, and the Astra Carta, play in keeping orbit and the lunar surface safe and sustainable? And how can the UK Government act as an "anchor customer" to bridge the commercial "valley of death" for domestic space startups? Join Alice and Jonners in this special episode recorded in Chichester Marina with British astronaut Tim Peake as he shares insights on space adaptation syndrome, commercial space stations, lunar research bases, global space traffic management, and the future of human exploration to Mars. Contributors: Alice Bunn, President of UKspace Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn Jonathan Davies, The Karman Line Jonathan Davies | LinkedIn The Karman Line | LinkedIn Tim Peake, Astronaut Tim Peake | LinkedIn Key topics covered: Human spaceflight vs. robotic exploration Space Adaptation Syndrome (nausea & gravity adjustment) Normalising space as a commercial workplace Transition from space stations to commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Artemis programme & sustainable lunar research bases Astronaut selection mindsets, psychological profiles, and stress testing International space cooperation & soft power (ISS legacy) Governance, leaseholds, and regulatory frameworks on the Moon The Astra Carta & space sustainability Human exploration of Mars Government as “anchor customers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does the Government's latest space strategy properly connect defence, civil policy and commercial space growth? How will the MOD and DSIT merge procurement approaches? What are the specific outcomes targeted across the four core focus areas: Satcoms, Space Domain Awareness, Launch, and In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing? How do freedom of action and assured access balance sovereign UK capabilities with NATO and ESA alliances? And what major regulatory, insurance, and procurement changes are coming down the line? Join Jonners and Stephanie Ayres, Head of Policy at UKspace, as they debate whether the machinery of Government is fully backing a practical blueprint for picking winners and driving national security and economic growth or delivering just another false dawn. Contributors: Jonathan Davies, The Karman Line Jonathan Davies | LinkedIn The Karman Line | Website Stephanie Ayres, Head of Policy UKspace Stephanie Ayres | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn Key topics covered: New National Space Strategy overview MOD and DSIT procurement alignment Government as an "anchor customer" Four core capability pillars (Satcoms, SDA, Launch, ISAM) Sovereign ISR and Space Control Freedom of action vs. Allied integration (NATO/ESA) Assured launch (SaxaVord & Spaceport Cornwall) "Picking winners" and targeted funding awards Regulatory and insurance sandboxes (City of London) Enterprise Category Management and cross-departmental governance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does Ploughshare turn Ministry of Defence owned R&D into commercial businesses serving wider society? Why has commercialising defence technology historically been "suboptimal," and how is the newly launched Technology and Growth Alliance (TAG) shifting the dial? How can classified innovations be declassified by separating the underlying core technology from its military application? What structural changes are required in UK venture capital to build "bolder, braver" scale-ups capable of navigating defence procurement and space markets? Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, CEO of Ploughshare, about how to take brilliant defence innovation out of Government labs and apply it to wider commercial markets like healthcare and telecoms. Plus, navigating the rules, regulations and protection rackets. “No, you can’t go speak to the Minister”. Contributors: Alice Bunn, President of UKspace Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn The Karman Line | LinkedIn Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE, CEO, Ploughshare Hetti Barkworth-Nanton | LinkedIn Ploughshare | LinkedIn Key topics covered: Commercialising defence R&D & Ploughshare's mission The Technology and Growth Alliance (TAG) Declassifying top-secret defence tech Reverse dual-use Cultural shifts in academia and corporate defence primes Space and defence tech synergy Defence procurement challenges The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) UK venture capital gaps Funding dual-use scale-ups Purpose-driven leadership & organisational culture Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does the Satellite Applications Catapult evaluate and select "high-potential" space ventures? What role does commercial matchmaking, tech validation, and international growth strategy play in scaling startups into global leaders? How can the UK shift from passive R&D grants to an "Olympic-style" industrial policy that goes all-in on world-class space "winners"? What structural changes—such as rapid regulatory approvals, sovereign capital funds, and secure defence gateways—are needed to cut a path through the space growth jungle? Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with John Abbott, CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult, about the ruthless selection strategies to unleash businesses with the highest potential for growth. And why this process is worth it, even if you pass on The Beatles. Contributors: Alice Bunn, President of UKspace Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn The Karman Line | LinkedIn John Abbott, CEO, Satellite Applications Catapult John Abbott | LinkedIn Satellite Applications Catapult | LinkedIn Key topics covered: Satellite Applications Catapult operating model & impact Evaluating "high-potential" space businesses Open Cosmos, Mag Drive, and UK space scale-ups The three core Catapult missions: Beyond Earth, Autonomous & Connected Earth, Resilient Earth Matchmaking vs. Challenge Accelerating Sovereign space capability & international trust Industrial Strategy: "Picking winners" vs. broad SME support Cross-government alignment, capital growth, and rapid regulation The Space and Defence Gateway at Harwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What really happened at Spaceport Cornwall after the 2023 Virgin Orbit launch? Why, from an operational and regulatory standpoint, was the failed mission actually a success? How can spaceport infrastructure and segregated airspace be repurposed for high-volume drone testing, hypersonic flight, and returning spaceplanes? What is the true definition of "assured launch," and why is domestic launch capability crucial for national resilience? How is Cornwall evolving beyond its launch heritage into a multi-sector commercial technology ecosystem? Join Alice and Jonners as they talk to Ross Hulbert, Space Engagement Lead at Spaceport Cornwall, and discuss the realities of pioneering spaceports, mixed airspace regulation, local economic impact, and subsidising future space access. Contributors: Alice Bunn, President of UKspace Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn The Karman Line | LinkedIn Ross Hulbert, Space Engagement Lead, Spaceport Cornwall Ross Hulbert | LinkedIn Spaceport Cornwall | LinkedIn Key topics covered: Spaceport Cornwall evolution & operations Virgin Orbit launch legacy & technical learnings Mixed airspace & BVLOS drone testing Hypersonic testing & spaceplane recovery Assured vs sovereign launch capability Global launch bottlenecks & reliance on SpaceX Space Clusters & Cornish economic growth Subsidising space access for UK operators Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.