OVERVIEW
As international partnerships expand and space innovation accelerates, host Daniella Sussman and guest Jared Stout explore how science diplomacy is emerging as a foundation for cooperation in the new space era. Their discussion highlights how government, industry, and global partners are working together to shape the future of human activity in orbit.
EPISODE SUMMARY
This wide-ranging conversation traces the evolution of commercial spaceflight, the shifting role of government in space leadership, and the rise of private-sector actors who are now shaping global space norms. Jared offers a grounded look at how Axiom Space is building the world’s first commercial space station while forging international partnerships that expand access and opportunity beyond legacy spacefaring nations.
The episode also explores the increasing role of diplomacy in a rapidly industrializing space economy, illuminating why cooperation, innovation, and policy must evolve together. By connecting politics, technology, and aspiration, this dialogue reveals how humanity’s next giant leap will depend on collaboration rather than competition.
In this episode, we discuss:
01:54 - Axiom Space’s role in opening low Earth orbit to new players
06:26 - How Axiom’s Global University Alliance empowers worldwide research
16:00 - Bringing astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to the ISS after decades
20:19 - Navigating international frameworks and domestic governance challenges
28:50 - Challenges in aligning public goals with private space companies
33:06 - Fostering innovation and risk tolerance in international collaborations
36:35 - Advocating global cooperation to navigate geopolitical upheaval and shape the future
ABOUT THE GUEST
Jared Stout is a leading voice in space policy, government relations, and international partnerships. At Axiom Space, he directs advocacy, outreach, and policy initiatives that shape the company’s work across global, federal, and regional arenas.
Before joining Axiom (Axiom Space), Jared served as Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff for the White House National Space Council, where he helped steer U.S. space policy spanning civil, commercial, and national security priorities. He has also held senior roles at the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation and on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, where he was directly involved in drafting key NASA and commercial space legislation.
Today, his deep background in policy and advocacy strengthens Axiom Space’s mission to build the world’s first commercial space station and to develop the first new lunar spacesuits since the Apollo era.
MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
⚇ (Reference) NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Program Office - https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/commercial-low-earth-orbit-program-office/
⚇ (Reference) FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation - https://www.faa.gov/space
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CONNECT WITH JARED STOUT:
⚇ Website: https://www.axiomspace.com/
⚇ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-m-stout/
CONNECT WITH DANIELLA:
⚇ Podcast Website: https://the-global-lens.captivate.fm/
⚇ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellasussman/
⚇ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellasussmanglobal/
