In this episode, Host Taylor Baker sits down with Lee Rosen, CEO and co-founder of Think Orbital (and a former U.S. Air Force space leader), to explore how in-space construction and long-range X-ray technology could reshape national security, public safety, and the future space economy.
What You’ll Learn
- Why “size” is becoming the next major constraint in space and why building large infrastructure in orbit is essential for the next phase of the space economy.
- How electron beam welding (a proven technology with unique advantages in vacuum) can enable cutting, welding, and even additive manufacturing in space.
- What Think Orbital is developing to improve space domain awareness, including the ability to assess satellite capabilities by “seeing inside” objects in orbit.
- Why dual-use innovation matters, and how a capability designed for space can unlock terrestrial applications with real-world impact.
- How drone-mounted, long-range X-ray imaging could help law enforcement and military teams assess threats faster while keeping people out of harm’s way.
- Where automation is non-negotiable in advanced systems and why simplifying operator workflows is key to adoption in high-stakes environments.
- How AI can shift teams from “reviewing thousands of images” to prioritizing anomalies, and what it takes to build the data foundation for reliable detection.
- The leadership lessons that carry from military and SpaceX-style environments into entrepreneurship: make decisions with imperfect information, avoid analysis paralysis, and learn fast from recoverable mistakes.
This conversation highlights a rare blend of big vision and practical execution: building the tools that make space more scalable while delivering near-term capabilities that protect people and infrastructure on Earth. Lee’s journey reinforces that breakthrough innovation often requires multiple paths to revenue, relentless iteration, and the courage to keep moving forward even when funding cycles and bureaucracy threaten to slow progress.
To learn more about Lee Rosen and their work.