Spacepower Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

What does it take to turn today's elementary school students into tomorrow's space workforce?

In this episode of the Spacepower Podcast, SFA Founder and host Bill Woolf sits down with Col. Eric Zarybniski, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Space Access at Space Systems Command, and Dr. Emily Zarybniski, a 2026 Space Foundation International Teacher Liaison, to explore one of the most critical, and often overlooked challenges in maintaining space superiority: education.

Every Guardian, every engineer, every mission planner who will defend and expand America's presence in space started somewhere. A teacher who made it click. A concept that sparked curiosity. A moment when space stopped being abstract and became possible.

The pipeline from K-12 classrooms to national security capability is longer than most people realize, and more fragile. Today's students touch space 50 times a day through GPS, streaming video, weather apps, and communication networks. But most have no idea how deeply connected they are to the domain, or that careers in space exist beyond astronauts.

In this conversation, Col. and Dr. Zarybniski discuss:

Why K-12 space education is a matter of national security, not just workforce development
What gets students genuinely excited about space careers (hint: it starts with Diet Coke and Mentos)
The critical difference between STEM and STEAM—and why artists, designers, and creative thinkers belong in the space enterprise
How to reach students before they've decided "space isn't for me" or "I'm not good at math"
What it's like to explain quantum physics on neighborhood walks and thermodynamics at the dinner table
Why the Space Foundation's International Teacher Liaison Program matters for building the next generation
How military families balance launching rockets to orbit and teaching kids who will one day design them
The reality of being a Guardian in 2026, and why more people still ask "Is the Space Force real?"
What parents and educators can do right now to inspire the space-native generation

From classroom experiments to mission director decisions at Cape Canaveral, this episode connects the dots between inspiring young minds and delivering combat-ready space capabilities. Because the Space Force of 2040 is sitting in fourth grade classrooms right now.

Hosted by Bill Woolf
Produced by Ty Holliday

Guests:
Col. Eric Zarybniski, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Space Access, Space Systems Command
He leads the acquisition, development, and operation of the $13.5 billion National Security Space Launch programs, delivering critical payloads to orbit from Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg.

Dr. Emily Zarybniski, 2026 Space Foundation International Teacher Liaison
She is one of 38 elite educators selected globally to inspire the next generation of space professionals through hands-on STEAM education in elementary and middle school classrooms.

Learn more about Space Systems Command: https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/

Learn more about the U.S. Space Force: https://www.spaceforce.mil/

Join SFA: https://ussfa.org/

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John F. Plumb serves as Head of Strategy at K2 Space, where he focuses on advancing next-generation satellite capabilities designed to deliver greater scale, resilience, and affordability to national security space missions.Plumb previously served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, where he was responsible for overseeing U.S. Department of Defense space strategy, policy, and international engagement. In that role, he helped shape national security space priorities during a period of rapid evolution in the space domain, including strengthening allied cooperation, advancing responsible space behavior, and guiding policy for resilient space architectures in an increasingly contested environment.Before his Pentagon leadership, Plumb held senior policy roles on Capitol Hill and within the executive branch, including serving on the National Security Council staff and as a professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Across government and industry, his career has centered on aligning strategy, technology, and policy to ensure the United States maintains a competitive edge in space.At K2 Space, Plumb brings that strategic depth to the commercial sector — helping bridge national security requirements with innovative satellite manufacturing approaches built for scale.

About ULA: Mission: Save Lives, Explore the Universe, Connect the WorldFocus on our customer’s mission. The technologies we enable protect our country and troops in the battlefield, enable search and rescue, provide a backbone for business and connect families across the globe. They help us explore our city and learn about our solar system and places beyond.Create value through certainty. We deliver the most dependable ride to space by combining our unrivaled legacy, tireless drive to improve and commitment to the extraordinary.

LeoLabs:

• Operates a global radar network to track satellites and space debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• Offers services like:
• Customers include commercial satellite operators, government agencies, and military space commands.

Find out more at: LeoLabs | Persistent Orbital Intelligence Propelling the dynamic space era

Rob Mitrevski serves as President, Golden Dome Strategy and Integration at L3Harris Technologies, where he leads strategic integration efforts focused on advancing next-generation missile defense and space-enabled capabilities in support of national security missions.With more than three decades of experience in aerospace and defense, Mitrevski has held senior executive roles spanning space systems, missile defense, air and missile integration, and advanced mission solutions. Prior to his current role, he served as President of Space and Airborne Systems at L3Harris, overseeing a broad portfolio of space payloads, missile warning systems, resilient communications, ISR technologies, and classified national security programs.Throughout his career, he has led large-scale engineering and integration organizations responsible for delivering complex, mission-critical systems to the U.S. Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, civil agencies, and international partners. His expertise spans strategic planning, systems engineering, operational integration, and scaling advanced technologies from concept to deployment.Mitrevski holds degrees in engineering and business and has built his career at the intersection of technical innovation and strategic execution — aligning industry capabilities with evolving national security priorities.On this episode of Spacepower, Rob joins us to discuss the strategic importance of integrated missile defense architectures, the role of industry in accelerating resilient space capabilities, and what it will take to align technology, policy, and partnerships to meet emerging threats in an increasingly contested domain.

In this episode of The Spacepower Podcast, host Bill “Hippie” Woolf sits down with siblings Master Sergeant Matthew T. Davis and Lieutenant Hannah Mangum for an inside look at Space Force recruitment, training, and life as a Guardian.Master Sergeant Davis shares insights from his 16-year career in recruiting, breaking down what it really takes to join the Space Force—from qualifications and career paths to the service’s highly selective process, which evaluates roughly 1,000 enlisted applicants each year.Lieutenant Mangum offers a fresh perspective as a newly commissioned officer, reflecting on her transition from civilian life and into the Space Force. She highlights the value of STEM education, leadership potential, preparation, and a willingness to learn for anyone aspiring to serve.Whether you're curious about Space Force opportunities, considering a military career, or simply fascinated by the newest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, this conversation delivers clarity, candor, and plenty of inspiration.🎧 Tune in to learn:- What Space Force recruiters look for - How enlisted and officer pathways differ - Why leadership and adaptability matter as much as technical skills - What new Guardians can expect on their journey

Lt. General (Ret.) David J. Buck is the President of BRPH Mission Solutions at BRPH, a technically focused architecture, engineering, and construction firm supporting mission-critical clients in aerospace, defense, national security, and advanced manufacturing.Lt. General (Ret.) David J. Buck is a retired U.S. Air Force officer whose distinguished military career spanned more than three decades in space, nuclear, and cyberspace operations. He earned his commission as a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School in 1986 and went on to command at the squadron, group, and wing levels throughout his service. His operational experience included strategic missile operations, space launch and range operations, satellite command and control, and advanced space mission areas.Buck culminated his Air Force service as Commander of the 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) and Commander of the Joint Functional Component Command for Space under U.S. Strategic Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base. In that capacity he led more than 19,500 personnel responsible for providing strategic missile warning, nuclear command and control, space situational awareness, position/navigation/timing, and other critical space effects in support of national security objectives. He retired from the Air Force in 2018.In his current role at BRPH, Buck applies his operational leadership and strategic expertise to help organizations navigate complex mission requirements, develop innovative capabilities, and accelerate growth across defense, aerospace, national security, and manufacturing sectors.His awards include multiple Defense and Air Force distinguished service decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star Medal, reflecting both his leadership and impact over decades of service.

The United States Space Force recently finalized their Space doctrine under the leadership of Gen Raymond, CSO, and Maj Gen Bill Liquori. Listen in to this event as we gain the insights of how the doctrine was developed and how it will help inform the United States' Space Superiority Mission