T-Minus Space Daily (N2K Networks)

Episode: Capital Flows and the Cloud in Orbit
Date: February 11, 2026
Host: Maria Varmazes
Featured Guests: Stacey Naughton & John Ferenczy (Purdue University)

Overview

This episode marks T-Minus Space Daily’s 700th show, focusing on the growing intersection of capital, cloud infrastructure in space, and educational efforts fueling the next generation of the space workforce. The episode delivers a rundown of major industry news, with a special highlight on Purdue University’s deep engagement with space innovation, policy, and workforce development. Maria Varmazes interviews Stacey Naughton and John Ferenczy from Purdue University about their pioneering programs, the upcoming Space Policy, Science and Technology Symposium, and the university’s role in shaping space's future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[01:54-09:04] Headlines: Capital, Cloud, and Launch Updates

• Stoke Space Funding Extension
  • Raised $860M in total for its reusable Nova launch vehicle development.
  • Now totals $1.34B raised, with funds to accelerate future product roadmap.
• StarCloud & AWS in Orbit
  • StarCloud plans to deploy AWS outpost hardware in space, pushing cloud computing to new frontiers.
  • Aim: 88,000 satellite constellation for high-performance computing.
  • "I'm excited to share that Starcloud will be the first to launch the Amazon Web Services outpost hardware to space on our second satellite." (Philip Johnston, paraphrased by Maria Varmazes, 04:29)
• Eutelsat & OneWeb Constellation
  • Secured €1B credit for 340 new LEO satellites, in partnership with Airbus.
• China’s Lunar Exploration Progress
  • Series of successful flight tests for crewed lunar lander and spacecraft, aiming for a crewed landing before 2030.
• Firefly Aerospace Updates
  • Upcoming Alpha Flight 7 marks final test before a major vehicle upgrade.

[09:35-24:47] Interview: Stacey Naughton and John Ferenczy (Purdue University)

Purdue’s Legacy and Leadership in Space

• Cradle of Astronauts
  • Purdue alumni have participated in ~1/3 of US spaceflights.
  • Current: 30 Purdue astronauts, with a dedicated all-Purdue Virgin Galactic suborbital flight planned.
  • "We are known as the cradle of astronauts. We are now up to 30 astronauts. ...about one third of US Space flights have had a Purdue grad on." (Stacey Naughton, 10:28)
• Industry Partnerships & Innovation
  • Collaborations span SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, U.S. Space Force, and others.
  • Purdue focuses heavily on R&D, supporting both startups and industry giants.
  • "What Purdue University really stands for is national security and national defense. Northern University has the focus on that as much as we do." (John Ferenczy, 11:44)
• National Security & Hard Tech Corridor
  • Investment in "hard tech corridor" from West Lafayette to Crane, IN—linking academic, defense, and industrial innovation.

Space Education: Workforce & Research

• Integration with Military and Space Policy
  • Early MOU with U.S. Space Force (2021).
  • Purdue’s ongoing commitment to educating “Guardians” and other military branches, both in-person and online.
  • "We are dedicated ...to serving Guardians and to collaborating with guardians all along the way." (Stacey Naughton, 14:24)
• Student Engagement & Leading-Edge Facilities
  • Undergraduates participate in satellite, quantum, and chip manufacturing experiments—2027’s suborbital mission will showcase these.
  • Boast the world's largest academic propulsion laboratory and Class 1 cleanroom.
  • "From the chip manufacturing, from design through fabrication, through usage, we can offer that to undergrads." (John Ferenczy, 15:39)
• Space Habitats & Human Factors
  • Active research on space habitats—prepping for long-duration lunar missions including family living, not just traditional crews.
  • Collaboration between industrial engineering/human factors and space programs.

[17:53-23:56] Space Policy, Science & Technology Symposium

• Symposium Vision
  • Annual event integrates private, government, academia, and VCs for actionable discussions.
  • Each year follows a Space Force priority theme; 2026 focus: "Mitigating National Security Risks of Space Debris".
  • "The symposium...celebrates...the needed integration of private sector, government, academia, venture capitalists ...in moving forward what should be us and is us space superiority." (Stacey Naughton, 17:53)
• Outputs
  • Innovation Science methodology yields policy and issue briefs for congressional committees.
  • Real-world connections: students land internships, companies and government drive recruiting.
• Speaker Lineup
  • Includes Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin, Astroscale, Auburn University, U.S. Space Force, and AFRL.
• Open Invitation
  • Event is open, with student involvement at its core.

Purdue’s Broader Mission and Educational Reach

• Kroc Institute of Tech Diplomacy
  • DC-based think tank: “Technology advances freedom.” Focus on diplomacy, tech, and international cooperation.
  • "Their mission is that technology advances freedom. ...We're raising that ceiling on our tech corridor to include space." (John Ferenczy, 21:17)
• Lifelong Learning & Online Offerings
  • Diverse portfolio: on-campus, remote, and fully online programs—aiming for accessibility for military and global students.
  • "At Purdue, we believe very strongly that education happens at any point in life." (Stacey Naughton, 22:03)
  • Full online doctorate in technology and engineering now available.

Closing Thoughts

• "When you think Purdue, think innovation. And when you think national security and national defense, think Purdue." (John Ferenczy, 24:13)
• "Cutting edge research ...spans the university ecosystem, engineering and science...but also policy, ethics, political science and beyond." (Stacey Naughton, 24:20)

[25:25-29:18] Special Segment: Women and Girls in Science

• UNESCO International Day of Women and Girls in Science
  • Maria Varmazes points out the need to focus not just on recruiting women and girls into STEM, but on retention and advancement.
  • "You can be the most mentored woman in an organization and still get nowhere. What women need is not more mentorship, but championship." (Maria Varmazes, 26:22)
  • She calls for ‘champions’ who advocate for and elevate women into leadership roles.

Notable Quotes

"We are known as the cradle of astronauts. We are now up to 30 astronauts. ...about one third of US Space flights have had a Purdue grad on."
— Stacey Naughton, 10:28

"When you think Purdue, think innovation. And when you think national security and national defense, think Purdue."
— John Ferenczy, 24:13

"You can be the most mentored woman in an organization and still get nowhere. What women need is not more mentorship, but championship."
— Maria Varmazes, 26:22

Key Timestamps

• 01:54 — Major headlines (funding, launches, and cloud-in-space initiatives)
• 09:35 — Introduction of Purdue University guests
• 10:28 — Purdue’s astronaut legacy
• 13:11 — Regional economic and workforce development
• 14:24 — Space Force partnerships and in-space manufacturing
• 15:39 — Student opportunities, labs, and research facilities
• 16:32 — Connection to the broader space industry and focus on habitats
• 17:53 — Symposium overview and impact
• 21:17 — Kroc Institute of Tech Diplomacy at Purdue
• 22:03 — Purdue’s lifelong and accessible education approach
• 24:13 — Guests’ closing thoughts
• 25:25 — International Day of Women and Girls in Science segment

Tone and Style

Engaged, forward-looking, and collaborative, with a strong sense of institutional pride from Purdue’s representatives and a call-to-action spirit from the host, particularly on the subject of gender equity in STEM.

For further information or to participate in the symposium, visit Purdue’s Space Policy, Science and Technology Symposium online.