In this episode of the German Innovators Podcast, Johannes sits down with Jack Al-Kahwati—an entrepreneur working inside the U.S. government’s space innovation ecosystem—to unpack how the “space layer” is emerging much like cloud computing did a decade ago. Jack explains why the real bottleneck is data aggregation, how command-and-control and space situational awareness become foundations for a new application layer in orbit, and why “mission decision cycle” thinking is replacing older frameworks. We also explore what middle powers like Germany and Australia can prioritize—self-sufficiency, interoperable standards, and smart alliances—as space becomes an increasingly contested domain. Along the way, Jack shares lessons from SDA TAP Lab, a U.S. defense innovation accelerator, and sketches a near future where space-based compute, networking, and autonomy reshape both security and commercial markets.
Highlights:
• Cloud-to-orbit analogy: why the space layer mirrors the rise of AWS
• Mission decision cycles, not “kill chains”
• Data as the strategic bottleneck—and how to unlock it
• Practical policy paths for Germany and Australia
• What space-based compute + autonomy could enable next
The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not represent official policy or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. Space Force.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to Space Ventures
01:28 The Evolution of Space Economics
04:16 Future of Space Infrastructure
05:55 Political Dynamics in Space
Exploration
09:39 Advancements in Space Defense
Technology
10:49 The Role of Data in Space Operations
13:55 The Vision of a Multi-Planetary
Humanity
15:26 Recommnedations for Middle Powers
in Space
17:28 The Importance of Space Superiority
19:31 Outro
