Space Debris: The Invisible Threat Orbiting Above Us

WOW! We had Aleksander Lidtke on The Space Curious Podcast! What a great conversation we had

Space Debris: The Invisible Threat Orbiting Above Us

Did you know there are over 30,000 trackable pieces of space debris circling Earth right now — and 100 million more too small to track?

In this episode of the Space Curious Podcast, I sit down with Aleksander Lidtke (Astroscale Holdings) — a space debris expert who did his PhD on collision avoidance and now works on actively removing junk from orbit — to unpack a problem most of us never think about but that quietly touches everything we do.

We cover: What space debris actually is (hint: it's way more than dead satellites)

How a single bolt traveling at 15km/s could destroy a satellite Why space debris might be the "greenhouse gas" of orbit The wild tech being built to clean it up — robotic arms, harpoons, even lasers How this "invisible threat" already affects your GPS, banking, internet, and weather forecasts Whether satellite operators should be legally responsible for their own space junk

Whether you're a space nerd or have never thought twice about what's floating above your head, this conversation will change how you see the sky.

Watch/listen/Like and share please #SpaceDebris #SpaceIndustry #Podcast #Sustainability #SpaceCuriousPodcast #Astroscale

Frank Blau - The Hidden Language of Space Data – Turning Information into Insight

What does data have to do with space exploration?

On this episode of the Space Curious Podcast, host Arn sits down with Frank Blau — data architect, space enthusiast, musician, typewriter collector, and all-around eclectic thinker — to explore how the way we structure data shapes the stories we tell with it.

Frank's journey into data started decades before "data architect" was even a job title. From falling in love with dBase on a Kaypro computer, to building databases for NASA's Titan rocket program, to discovering Marshall McLuhan's idea that "the medium is the message," Frank has spent his career learning to see the invisible structures behind information — and now he's bringing that lens to the space industry.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we cover:

How Frank went from a humanities background to becoming a data architect, Why "the medium is the message" applies just as much to databases as it does to media The hidden layers of data in space: telemetry, communications, compute, and security Space debris, Kessler Syndrome, and why the problem is likely to get worse before it gets better Why your "analogue brain" — skills like cooking, music, and writing — might be your biggest competitive advantage in a world of AI Building a grassroots space industry community in rural Austria A rapid-fire round covering favourite space missions, books, and more

Whether you're curious about space, data, or just how to think more clearly about complex problems, this episode has something for you.

Connect with Frank

Blau:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-blau

Datamio: https://datamio.at

Stay and Type: https://stayandtype.com

Photography: https://frankblauphotography.com

Space Curious Podcast is sponsored by DE Orbit, part of Daniel Ernest Recruitment https://danielernest.com/de-orbit

Arn Terry - arn.terry@danielernest.com

We are talking with https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-cx/ on all things Satellites and more Not in particular order, but an overview of topics discussed 🌍 Segment 1: Why Satellite Communications Matter More Than EverWe'll start by setting the scene.Topics may include:What satellite communications actually areWhy most people don't realise how dependent they already are on satellitesHow satellite communications impact everyday lifeWhy this technology is becoming increasingly importantQuestion:If you had to explain satellite communications to a 10-year-old, how would you describe it?________________________________________📡 Segment 2: How Space Is Rebuilding The InternetThis will be the core discussion of the episode.Topics may include:The evolution of satellite communicationsThe rise of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellationsWhy Starlink has changed the industryThe impact on traditional telecommunications providersThe opportunities and challenges facing the sectorQuestions:Why has Starlink become such a disruptive force?How is satellite technology changing connectivity around the world?Are we witnessing a fundamental shift in how the internet is delivered?________________________________________🚀 Segment 3: The Future Of ConnectivityLooking ahead 5–10 years.Topics may include:Direct-to-device communicationsGlobal connectivityRural and underserved communitiesEmerging technologies and innovationsThe future relationship between terrestrial and satellite networksQuestions:What excites you most about the next decade?What developments should people be paying attention to?Could satellite communications eventually become the backbone of global connectivity?________________________________________🔒 Segment 4: Opportunities, Challenges & RisksEvery major technological shift creates both opportunities and risks.Topics may include:Cybersecurity considerationsSpace infrastructure resilienceRegulatory challengesCommercial opportunitiesIndustry growthQuestions:What are the biggest opportunities in the market right now?What risks don't get talked about enough?What keeps industry leaders awake at night?________________________________________👩‍🚀 Segment 5: Diversity, Inclusion & The Future WorkforceA topic both of us are passionate about.Topics may include:Encouraging more women into STEM and spaceRepresentation across the industryCareer opportunities for the next generationSkills that will matter most in the futureQuestions:What advice would you give to a young girl considering a career in space?What changes would you like to see in the industry?What skills will be most valuable over the next 10 years?________________________________________⚡ Rapid Fire Round (3-4 mins)Quick answers, first thing that comes to mind:One company everyone should be watchingOne underrated technologyBiggest myth about the space industryMost exciting trend in satellite communicationsMoon, Mars or Earth Orbit?One prediction for the next decade________________________________________DE Orbit | Space Industry Recruitment - Satellites, Launch, AI & Mission Teams