The Final Frontier is Going Private: Meet the Man Leading the Charge
The race to space is no longer solely the domain of governments. In episode 189 of This Week In Space (https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/189?autostart=false), Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik sit down with Jeffrey Manber, a true pioneer of the NewSpace movement. Manber isn't just talking about privatizing orbit – he's living it. From spearheading the first commercial platform to deploy small satellites from the International Space Station to developing the Bishop airlock, now a vital part of the ISS, Manber's fingerprints are all over the commercialization of space. He even founded Nanoracks, the first privately developed and standardized satellite deployment system to reach orbit, and is now leading the charge with Starlab, a private space station currently under development by Voyager Technologies and a consortium of aerospace companies. But here's where it gets controversial: is the privatization of space a giant leap for mankind or a dangerous gamble?
This episode delves into Manber's remarkable journey and the future of space exploration. Join us as we explore the exciting, and sometimes contentious, world of NewSpace!
Space News Roundup:
SpaceX Goes Public: After years of resistance, Elon Musk's SpaceX is considering an IPO. What does this mean for the future of the company and the space industry as a whole? (https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/12/after-years-of-resisting-it-spacex-now-plans-to-go-public-why/)
See AlsoConvergen Raises $10M Seed Funding for TrimTAC Protein Degradation PlatformHow Localized Climate Risk Messages Boost Disaster Preparedness | Research InsightsNASA's Amendment 29: Unlocking Science Activation OpportunitiesHarvard Launches Leinweber Institute: Revolutionizing Fundamental Physics Research & CollaborationMAVEN's Mars Mystery: NASA loses contact with its MAVEN orbiter on the far side of Mars. What caused the communication blackout, and will we hear from MAVEN again? (https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/nasas-loses-contact-with-maven-mars-orbiter-on-the-far-side-of-the-red-planet)
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy: A new clip reveals a mix of hammy acting and teen drama, leaving fans divided. Is this the Star Trek we've been waiting for? (https://www.space.com/entertainment/space-movies-shows/star-trek-starfleet-academy-clip-shows-off-hammy-acting-and-teen-drama-putting-fans-on-yellow-alert-video)
Building the Future: Learn more about Jeffrey Manber's work at Voyager Technologies (https://voyagertechnologies.com/team/jeffrey-manber/) and the innovative Bishop Airlock (https://voyagertechnologies.com/space-solutions/bishop-airlock/). Explore the ambitious Starlab Space Station project (https://voyagertechnologies.com/starlab/) and its dedicated website (https://starlab-space.com/).
Space Tourism Pioneer: Discover the story of Dennis Tito, the first space tourist (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Tito).
Breaking Down Barriers: How is one CEO fostering communication between space companies? (https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/09/space-companies-jeffrey-manber-nanoracks-1453115)
Bring Space Home: Ever dreamed of launching your own rocket? Estes has you covered with their stunningly detailed Falcon 9 model rocket (https://www.space.com/spacex-falcon-9-estes-model-rocket). This launchable replica is a must-have for any space enthusiast and retails for $149.99. Save 10% with code IN-COLLECTSPACE at checkout (https://estesrockets.com/product/002161-spacex-falcon-9/), courtesy of our partners collectSPACE.com.
About This Week In Space:
This Week In Space (https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space) is your weekly deep dive into the exciting world of space exploration. Every Friday, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik from Space.com (https://www.space.com/) explore the latest news, from the new race to the moon and Mars to groundbreaking rocket launches and skywatching events. Subscribe today on your favorite podcast platform!
Meet the Hosts:
Rod Pyle, author, journalist, television producer, and Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra magazine (https://adastramagazine.com/), brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the show. With 18 books (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rod+pyle+books&ref=nbsbnoss) on space history, exploration, and development under his belt, Pyle is a leading voice in the space community. His previous work includes documentaries for The History Channel, Discovery Communications, and Disney, as well as visual effects for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and the Battlestar Galactica reboot.
Tariq Malik, Editor-in-Chief of Space.com since 2019, has been covering space news and science for 18 years. A Space Camp veteran (4 times as a kid, once as an adult!) and Eagle Scout with the Space Exploration merit badge, Malik's passion for space is undeniable. He's reported on zero-gravity fires and presented space stories on CNN, Fox News, NPR, and more.
Space.com: The premier source for space exploration, innovation, and astronomy news since 1999. Our team of passionate journalists, led by Tariq Malik, Hanneke Weitering, Mike Wall, Meghan Bartels, Chelsea Gohd, Tereza Pultarova, and Alexander Cox, delivers the latest updates from the final frontier. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our captivating space videos, while Diana Whitcroft keeps our social media buzzing.
Food for Thought: As private companies increasingly dominate space exploration, who should control access to the cosmos? Should space be a resource for all humanity, or is it a new frontier for corporate profit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
