logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2022
47m 51s

A New Era of the Space Race - Can It Be ...

Wood Mackenzie
About this episode

It feels like every other week we hear news about another CEO or billionaire jetting off into space. Are we entering a new era of the Space Race? instead of politicians and governments gloating about their space programs, we now have billionaires live-streaming their afternoon flights to the edge of the ozone. Every one of these launches emits 300 tons of carbon dioxide into the upper atmosphere. With the frequency of private launches increasing, as well as the demand for space exploration constantly growing, the need for sustainable space travel is urgent.

What environmental impact do these privately funded space programs have? Should governments have more of a say?

In today's episode of the Interchange: Recharged, we are joined by Derek Harris, the CEO of an aerospace fuel company aiming to create a sustainable rocket fuel mix. The company, Ecosene, believes that space travel does not have to be a burden on our environment. They are even taking it a step further, by researching and creating a new fuel that is composed of plastic waste dredged from our oceans. Derek walks us through the science behind the fuel and how it will be applied to the real world. Is it possible for them to solve two environmental issues with one process? Is their plan viable? These questions, as well as the science, financing and ethics behind sustainable space travel are put under the microscope this week, so buckle in.


The Interchange is brought to you by JinkoSolar, a leading solar panel manufacturer and energy storage integrator.

JinkoSolar now offers energy storage for a variety of residential, C&I, and utility projects.

To learn more about Jinko’s EAGLE Storage products visit www.jinkosolar.us/interchange.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Yesterday
Can finance and policy unlock the carbon capture boom? (Recorded live at CCUS in Houston)
This special episode of Interchange Recharged brings together finance, law, and technology leaders shaping the path to commercial carbon capture. Host Sylvia Leyva Martinez explores how capital, regulation, and innovation are converging to turn early-stage CCUS projects into bank ... Show More
53m 29s
Sep 23
What to do now clean energy subsidies are going? Analysis and insights from clean energy’s biggest North American event
As RE+ 2025 wrapped up in Las Vegas, the mood across the show floor was one of contradiction: anxiety, anger, optimism, and opportunity all rolled into one. In this episode, Sylvia Leyva Martinez – Research Director and analyst covering global solar markets - sits down with Chris ... Show More
29m 34s
Sep 16
Navigating the world after OB3: implications for innovation and local manufacturing | Sponsored content from Hithium - Recorded Live at the PowerUp Stage at RE+
Recorded live at RE+, Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Research Director at Wood Mackenzie, hosts Ryan Chen and Neil Bradshaw from Hithium to unpack the true costs of OB3, the constraints on innovation and fire safety as result of the bill, and the future possibilities for AIDC.Neil Bradsh ... Show More
24m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2021
Can space exploration be environmentally friendly?
The space industry, with its fuel-burning rockets, requirements for mined metals and inevitable production of space junk, is not currently renowned for its environmental credentials. Can space exploration ever be truly environmentally friendly? Presenter Marnie Chesterton answers ... Show More
39m 34s
Dec 2021
End-of-Year Encore: Space Investing
Original Release on August 24th, 2021: Recent developments in space travel may be setting the stage for a striking new era of tech investment. Are investors paying attention? ----- Transcript -----Andrew Sheets This week we are bringing you 4 encores of deep dives into different ... Show More
4m 29s
Jul 2022
The Digitalized Future of Space Travel
Welcome to Talking Aerospace Today – a podcast for the Aerospace & Defense industry. A place that brings the promise of tomorrow’s technology to the ears of our listeners today. What if someday…we could all travel into space? Not only would space travel be more accessible to the ... Show More
41m 56s
Apr 2023
A Symposium, a wet dress, a new fund, and it’s only Monday. [T-Minus Space Daily]
Brace yourselves, it’s Space Symposium week! Wet dress rehearsal for Starship. UK launches the International Bilateral Fund. Orbit Fab gets a series A round. Boeing announces their anti-jam payload for WGS. The FAA wants to balance air travel and space travel. Our interview with ... Show More
25m 41s
Dec 2023
Space Policy Edition: Was the Space Shuttle a policy failure?
Was the Space Shuttle a successful program? In many ways, yes: it endured for thirty years, launched hundreds of astronauts into space, and built the International Space Station. But, according to the goals of lower costs, rapid reusability, and reliability NASA stated at its con ... Show More
59m 28s
Dec 2021
Business to Government and Democratization of Space with Jason Held, CEO of Saber Astronautics
The next business frontier, in terms of physical spaces, is not one you can physically walk on. I’m talking about outer space, and I’m talking about it today with my friend, Jason Held, CEO of Saber Astronautics. I got to know Jason a few years back by chance, and immediately was ... Show More
39m 54s
Aug 2023
Beaming 24/7 solar… from space
It’s the highest-intensity solar power you can get. It’s available 24/7. And you can send it anywhere on earth.All you need to do is launch a ten-by-ten kilometer array of solar panels into geosynchronous orbit, capture solar energy, and beam it to earth using a massive antenna a ... Show More
48m 52s
May 2021
"Zero-emissions” podcast series (Ep. 1): Cleaner, greener propulsion systems in the era of advanced air mobility
Welcome to Talking Aerospace Today – a podcast for the Aerospace & Defense industry. A place that brings the promise of tomorrow’s technology to the ears of our listeners today.There’s a lot of talk round air mobility these days. So much innovation. No question the electric verti ... Show More
24m 17s
Dec 2021
A new space age?
Dr Kevin Fong convenes a panel of astronautical minds to discuss the next decade or two of space exploration.2021 was an eventful year in space. Captain James Kirk a.k.a William Shatner popped into space for real for a couple of minutes, transported by space company Blue Origin's ... Show More
41m 56s