SWF and Exponential Academy Release ESG in Space Podcast Episode 3 Featuring Abhi Tripathi

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Secure World Foundation is thrilled to announce the release of the third episode of "ESG in Space," a podcast series hosted by Nishan Degnarain and Miki Sode. The series is a collaboration with Exponential Academy and features a fascinating discussion with Abhi Tripathi, the Director of Mission Operations at UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Lab.

In this episode, Abhi discusses his journey through the space sector, from his early days at NASA to key roles at SpaceX, and now leading mission operations at UC Berkeley. He shares his unique insights on the transition of space activities from government-dominated initiatives to vibrant commercial enterprises and discusses the critical role of government and military funding in nurturing the nascent commercial space industry.

Listen to "ESG in Space" Episode 3 below, on our YouTube Channel, or on your preferred podcast streaming platform to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and potential of commercial space ventures.

Timestamps for Key Topics

• 00:01:00: Abhi’s background: NASA, SpaceX, UC Berkeley
• 00:03:56: Transition from state-funded space programs to private-sector growth
• 00:05:01: Importance of government and military funding in sustaining space startups
• 00:06:54: Challenges of commercial space stations and lunar business models
• 00:09:20: Space governance: lessons from maritime and Antarctic models
• 00:10:12: The need for a learning period before regulations are enforced
• 00:13:38: Role of government-to-government cooperation in space safety
• 00:15:47: The role of private companies in setting industry norms and best practices
• 00:18:19: Space resource extraction: should regulations exist?
• 00:24:12: Different regulatory needs for low-Earth orbit vs. lunar/Martian activities
• 00:30:20: Risk of industry consolidation and monopolization in space

If you are interested in a behind-the-scenes look at the purpose and creation of this podcast, please watch a quick look on our YouTube Channel. 

About Exponential Academy

With a vision to drive meaningful change, Exponential Academy emerged from a deep commitment to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Recognizing the transformative power of exponential technologies, the academy harnesses these innovations to create a ripple effect across industries. Their goal is to align businesses with the global sustainability agenda while leveraging cutting-edge solutions to meet the challenges of our time. Learn more about Exponential Academy at exponentialacademy.org.