The Kármán Line

Interested in the business of space? Dr Alice Bunn, former-international director of UK Space Agency and now president of UKspace, helps you identify investment opportunities, cut through policy and regulation, assemble your supply chains and get stuff done. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Kármán Line is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 26 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts The Kármán Line, a business show with 26 episodes published.

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  Episode #25

  Space debris: 130 million “poppy seed bullets flying around, punching holes in things”

  Oct 2, 202626 minS1

  Does sub-centimetre, non-trackable space debris pose an existential threat to satellites and orbital infrastructure? How can ultra-lightweight "black box" sensors turn a spacecraft's surface into an impact detector to diagnose anomalies? What do satellite operators need to unlock affordable, named-peril collision insurance through Lloyd's of London? And how can a "neighbourhood watch" network of sensor-equipped satellites build live space domain awareness to protect the space economy? Join Jonners as he talks with Dan Terrett, Co-Founder and COO of Odin Space, about the 130 million rogue “poppy seed bullets” flying around, punching holes in satellites and the challenge this presents to insuring a market that is moving from frontier to real economy at an incredible pace. Contributors: Jonathan Davies , The Karman Line Jonathan Davies | LinkedIn The Karman Line | Website Dan Terrett , Co-Founder & COO, Odin Space Dan Terrett | LinkedIn Odin Space | LinkedIn Key topics covered: Lethal, non-trackable sub-centimetre orbital debris Odin Space "black box" impact sensing & diagnostics Instant failure attribution vs. unexplained spacecraft anomalies Lloyd's of London & named-peril collision insurance Space Domain Awareness (SDA) & "Neighbourhood Watch" network alerts Transitioning from seed venture risk to mature institutional capital Commercial space platforms & hosted payload risk management (D-Orbit) Space sustainability & the Astra Carta Transatlantic synergy: US satellite ecosystem & UK financial/insurance markets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #24

  Tim Peake: "Put a human and our best robot with AI on Mars today... and a human will still do more."

  Sep 25, 202630 minS1

  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.

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  Episode #23

  Alisha Fuller-Armah: A story so sensational it made Alice Bunn cry

  Sep 18, 202629 minS1

  How can a malleable, plant-based bio-leather grown off-grid in Scotland transform under extreme heat into an RF-transparent, rock-like ceramic shield? What does Draconite mean for the economics of spacecraft re-entry and thermal protection systems? How does self-taught material science disrupt traditional "old space" gatekeeping and university lab paradigms? What are the dual-use applications of biomimetic thermal shields across space re-entry, defence satellite protection, and terrestrial wildfire mitigation? Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with the astonishing Alisha Fuller-Armah, CEO and founder of Draconite, about her journey from scaling a Caribbean wedding venue to inventing a self-vitrifying, plastic-free thermal protection material and proving it works by pointing a blow torch at her own hand! 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 Alisha Fuller-Armah, CEO & Founder, Draconite Alisha Fuller-Armah | LinkedIn Key topics covered: Draconite bio-based thermal shield technology Self-vitrification and heat-soak insulation vs. traditional ablation RF transparency during re-entry communications Off-grid, low-cost cellulose fermentation & sovereign manufacturing UK Space Agency Accelerator & scaling deep tech Defence applications (anti-laser satellite shrouds) Overcoming academic gatekeeping through self-taught science PFAS-free, traceless, and non-toxic space materials Terrestrial wildfire and passive fire protection Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #22

  The UK National Space Strategy: Groundbreaking Government commitment but no new money

  Sep 11, 202622 minS1

  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.

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  Episode #21

  Hetti Barkworth-Nanton: Turning swords into ploughshares

  Sep 3, 202635 minS1

  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.

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