Guest: Jose Ocasio-Christian; Topics: Caelus Foundation updates, Sino-US commercial space workshops, national security space, Sino-US space and trade policy plus much more.
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We welcomed Jose Ocasio-Christian of Caelus Foundation back to the show for updates, news, policy, national security issues, commercial space issues, and much more. Our program was one segment over 1 hour 38 minutes. Note that rather than taking a break, I used the space between first and second segment to read the sponsor messages from our terrific sponsors. We started the discussion with Jose introducing us to Caelus Partners and the Caelus Foundation, plus their work with the Secure World Foundation, the Chinese Society of Astronautics, and the Generation Advisory Council regarding commercial space issues and plans between China and the U.S. This was an extensive discussion consuming most of the first part of our program. Jose was very transparent in letting us know about these Sino-US discussions, just how tough they were, how national security played out in the diss and is laying a part as is the newly developing trade war between the two countries. Jose made it clear that these were touch discussions plus just how challenging it was at time for everyone to get along and understand one another. I encourage you to listen to all of this early discussion as it will give you a good idea, even with a commercial space focus, of how things are at this time between China and the U.S.
Other issues we talked about included technology research and development, long term Chinese space and lunar plans with resource usage and exploitation as compared to the US focusing on going forward in space for the purpose of exploration. One of the developments to come out of this work was the realization that there needed to be an agreement on terminology as the Chinse and the US don't often mean the same thing despite the choice of words. In fact, later in the program we talked about the Caelus Foundation participation in the upcoming IAC Oct. 2019 conference with the Foundation presenting a paper focusing on terminology. Note that Jose has given me permission to upload this IAC paper to the blog which I hope you will read and review.
Another topic discussed was the difference in the way public policy and private business worked in the US and how in China, even the developing private or commercial sector for space required approval and or cooperation with the Chinese government. Jose had much to say on this topic which came up when a listener asked him about the emerging commercial launch companies in China.
Economic security along with national defense security was a major discussion topic. Our guest highlighted many of the economic and defense/military like challenges ahead for Sino-US space relationships. At one point before midway in the program, Jose was asked if the Chinese were hostile toward their US counterparts or was it a friendly, supportive and open environment for frank discussion. Don't miss what Jose said with regards to this question.
As we neared the end of the program, Jose talked about the Caelus Foundation goals and new board members from outside the space industry. Listen to his explanation for this plus what he had to say about members Casey Backes, Naz Paul, and Rob Ronci among others. Jose then talked about others stepping forward to participate with the Caelus Foundation as well as to offer their support. Before moving off this topic, a Chicago based listener asked Jose why the focus on China and not Russia. Jose provided us with a most interesting answer to this question so don't miss it. The listener then wanted to know if the Foundation was interested in and putting any focus on India's rising space program. Jose then provided us with a guide to the Caelus Foundation 2020 plans. For closing comments, Jose talked about how to secure space, specifically commercial space along with being inclusive and diverse with other nations. Before ending the discussion I mentioned the huge gap in space value understanding and knowledge with those in the industry as compared to those in the more general public. I included some policy, law makers, and elected officials and their staffs in my comments.
Please post your comments/questions for Jose on our blog. In addition, you can reach Jose through the Caelus websites, https://www.caelusfoundation.org and https://www.caeluspartners.com.
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