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The DownLink Podcast

The DownLink
Space Force
China
Spacex
Space Economy
NASA
Golden Dome
Tariffs
Donald Trump
Artemis Program
Artificial Intelligence
Space Warfare
Missile Defense
United States
United States Space Force
War Fighting
Government Spending
U.S. Space Force
Iron Dome
Department Of Defense
Russia

From the Defense & Aerospace Report... This is The DownLink Podcast, hosted by Laura Winter. From the intersection of space, business, and defense... Not just what's over the horizon, but what's happening above it. The DownLink Podcast is 2023, 2024, and 2025 Defense Media Award-winner.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes220Founded5 years ago
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Latest Episodes

The Trump Administration is asking Congress to more than double the Space Force budget — but with billions flowing to classified programs and a missile defense shield still under development, the real question is whether this is a strategy or a very ... more

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The U.S. Space Force revealed what it thinks could be the threats, where those threats are located, and what it will need by 2040. The revelations will not only serve the service branch, but should guide C-suites, entrepreneurs, investors, and techno... more

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Space Money: Lunar Excitement And SpaceX’s “Crazy Pants” Valuation Artemis II is on its way to the Moon — the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years. Private credit is flashing warning signs, and SpaceX just filed for the largest IPO in his... more

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At SatShow 2026 many government and business leaders admired the “incredibly dynamic” changes and the new challenges in the marketplace and investing. But what do they need to do to compete and thrive in it? Laura Winter speaks with Frank Backes, Pre... more

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Recent Guests

Chris Quilty
Founder of Quilty Space
Quilty Space
Episode: Space Money: Lunar Excitement And SpaceX’s “Crazy Pants” Valuation
George Pullen
Partner and Chief Economist at Milky Way Economy
Milky Way Economy
Episode: Space Money: Lunar Excitement And SpaceX’s “Crazy Pants” Valuation
Frank Backes
Former Capella Space CEO, then IonQ executive, now president of Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center
Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center
Episode: Space Money: Buckle-Up For “Incredibly Dramatic” Changes In The Market
Peter Garretson
Senior Fellow in Defense Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council
American Foreign Policy Council
Episode: Space Competition: “March Storm” On Capitol Hill Seeks Equal Tax Treatment For Space Investors
Aaron Oesterle
Policy Director for the Space Frontier Foundation
Space Frontier Foundation
Episode: Space Competition: “March Storm” On Capitol Hill Seeks Equal Tax Treatment For Space Investors
Lamont Colucci
Professor at Concordia University; director of the National Security and Space Center
Concordia University
Episode: Space Power: Space Force West Scholars Axed. What’s The Future for Senior Professional Military Education?
Lou Whiteman
The Motley Fool's stock analyst for Aerospace and Defense
The Motley Fool
Episode: Space Money: A Traders Take on Epic Fury, Valuations, and the SpaceX IPO
Pierre Bertrand
CEO and co-founder of Skynopy
Skynopy
Episode: Space Tech: Skynopy - The Ground Station Play That May Have a Military Application
Antonin Hirsch
CTO and co-founder of Skynopy
Skynopy
Episode: Space Tech: Skynopy - The Ground Station Play That May Have a Military Application

Host

Laura Winter
Host of The Down Link, focusing on space, business, and defense.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 43 ratings
  • Good but short

    The shows are interesting and the guests and topics are great but every episode Laura says they’re running out of time. There’s a constant need to wrap up the episode and a lot more color around the discussion of topics is leftbout.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jk,:
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best in Class Space Activities Analysis

    This is an excellent resource for accurate information and analytics concerning space issues. The moderator is excellent. Laura is great

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LarryLeibrock
    United States8 months ago
  • A Must Listen

    I followed the show now for a couple of years, and find the conversations invigorating, enlightening, and always energetic! Don’t miss the opportunity to listen as often as you can to the new content, or as I have done, go back and listen to the previous episodes. This podcast is perfect for my PhD track in Aerospace science.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    T Space Engineer
    United Statesa year ago
  • Still one of my favorite podcasts

    Thank you for researching the topic and preparing well for the discussion on this podcast. The advanced work prior to the show is evident. I also, enjoy how the host keeps the conversation on topic and follows up on vague answers from guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    briancreighton
    United States2 years ago
  • Thank you

    Thank you for making a professional and well run podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    briancreighton
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the host's preparation and on-topic focus.
Some feedback notes episodes feel tight on time but content is strong.
Guests are described as credible and informative by reviewers.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Space Money: The Space Force Budget And A New Leader
Q: What is the National Space Power Center and how will it function in practice?
It will be a DC-based, immersive-technology driven entity that educates policymakers, demonstrates space power concepts through models and simulation, and serves as a visible advocate for space policy akin to a think tank but with a more interactive approach.
Space Money: The Space Force Budget And A New Leader
Q: What does the budget headline tell us about space funding, and where is the boost coming from?
The budget signals steady funding with a boost tied to reconciliation, including about $150 billion in defense spending from the reconciliation package and approximately $26 billion for the Space Force, with additional up-sides from Golden Dome initiatives.
Space Money: The Space Force Budget And A New Leader
Q: But what we're really looking forward to is the Artemis 2 launch; how important is this mission for space exploration and national interests?
Artemis II is a historic step, set to test systems around the Moon and push humanity farther into deep space, with broad implications for exploration, industry innovation, and national security capabilities.
Space Power: Golden Dome - “Boy! Has It Stalled”
Q: How do budget and oversight efforts influence the project's trajectory?
Oversight pressures from Congress are pushing for reporting deadlines and budget justifications, which could force more transparency and clear milestones, but without enforceable mechanisms, actual spending and progress remain uncertain.
Space Power: Golden Dome - “Boy! Has It Stalled”
Q: What has been accomplished in the past 12 months for Golden Dome?
The discussion emphasizes that while there was substantial initial funding and political support, concrete architecture and detailed spending plans have not materialized, leaving many fundamental questions about objectives, sensors, and defense layers unresolved.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The DownLink Podcast

What is The DownLink Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show surveys space, defense, and business intersections with a steady emphasis on policy, economics, and emerging technologies. Episode topics frequently include the space economy, government spending and procurement, national-security implications of space power, and the role of AI, quantum tech, and advanced sensors in military and civil space systems. Guests range from economists and policy scholars to startup founders, defense leaders, and space industry leaders, providing a mix of market analysis, strategic insights, and practical implications for contractors, policymakers, and technology providers. A standout pattern is the combination of rigorous analysis with timely geopolitical context, making it a go-to for listeners who want ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The DownLink Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The DownLink Podcast:

1. Defense & Aerospace Report
2. Aviation Week's Check 6 Podcast
3. Main Engine Cut Off
4. Irregular Warfare Podcast
5. The Asia Chessboard

How many episodes of The DownLink Podcast are there?

The DownLink Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 220 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The DownLink Podcast?

Recent guests on The DownLink Podcast include:

1. Chris Quilty
2. George Pullen
3. Frank Backes
4. Peter Garretson
5. Aaron Oesterle
6. Lamont Colucci
7. Lou Whiteman
8. Pierre Bertrand

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