As Spaces Evolves into a “Normal Market”, How Will This Impact the Competition?

On the Space to Grow podcast, Astroscale’s Chris Blackerby and Charity Weeden bring their compelling experience and expertise to map out the technology, international policy, and scalability that will define the next generation of space exploration.

In this episode, Kevin O’Connell discussed his career in government that led to his present business of informing and defining space commerce as a consultant for companies throughout the globe. As founder and CEO of Space Economy Rising, LLC, O’Connell speaks to the past and future of space commerce. With decades of experience working within government institutions, including the White House as well as speaking before US Congress committees on a variety of issues, O’Connell is uniquely positioned to provide insight into an industry that is both elusive and relevant.

When asked about his transition to the private sector, O’Connell spoke to his decision as follows:

“We’ve had a lot of folks talk to us over the last few years to say hey Kevin you just have to slow this all down. You have to slow all of this work down, especially in lower earth orbit. And, our view was that we looked very hard for data driven approaches to regulation we were going to regulate. What would be the analytic basis upon which we would do it.

We worked with the FCC when they issued their orbital debris mitigation guidelines to say okay what pieces of this rule are supported by what kinds of evidence. And, in a lot of cases there was a lot of wishful thinking but there wasn’t a lot of data rigorously collected to support that. And I would say that regulation that is uninformed and just based on wishful thinking can really do tremendous damage to an industry. So, you have to think about it that way. I think you do.”

This intriguing podcast goes on to explore O’Connell’s transition out of government and to what he is doing now in the private sector as well as what lessons he is bringing forward into his present business.

Of the many hats O’Connell wears, the most significant of his present contributions is in the field of space economy. This includes advising companies on

  • Space Industry
  • Technology
  • Space finance community
  • Basics that must be done as an early-stage company in this field
  • Competitors
  • Orbital debris mitigation strategies
  • Cyber security strategies
  • Investment Risk Management
  • And much more.

Tune in to learn from this renowned expert as the discussion covers everything from how he got to where he is to what he envisions for the future of space economy.

More in This Series

This Season’s Mission Will Be Making Space Relatable

The Evolving Diplomatic Side of Space Sustainability

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

training
Empowering Teams Through a Modern Training Culture
November 13, 2025

Training may be the backbone of any skilled trade, but in waterproofing—where mistakes can compromise entire structures—it becomes a defining competitive advantage. At Southwest Construction Services, the evolution of training reflects a larger industry shift: seasoned crews now rely less on formal classroom sessions and more on hyper-focused, on-site guidance tailored to the…

Read More
quality assurance
Ensuring Excellence: How Quality Assurance Shapes Every Successful Project
November 13, 2025

In an era of rising climate volatility and tighter construction tolerances, waterproofing has quietly become one of the most consequential guardians of a building’s long-term health. Too often, the industry treats it as an afterthought—something buried behind walls, beneath slabs, or under layers of finish—but the truth is that its success or failure can…

Read More
safety
Safety, Pride & Zero Defects: The New Standard in Construction Excellence
November 13, 2025

In an era when construction headlines often center on delays, overruns, and litigation, the companies that quietly build with integrity are shaping the industry’s future in far more meaningful ways. The most enduring structures aren’t defined merely by their materials but by the standards and culture behind them—standards that treat quality not as…

Read More
Startup
Turning Corporate Discipline into Startup Momentum: The New Blueprint for Modern Marketing Leadership
November 12, 2025

As the business landscape grows faster and more unpredictable, marketing leaders who can balance the discipline of big-company strategy with the scrappiness of startups are redefining what modern leadership looks like. Brian Fravel’s journey from global tech giant Intel to high-growth SaaS and cybersecurity companies highlights how adaptability, curiosity, and hands-on execution drive success across…

Read More