T-Minus Space Daily: NASA Union Shake-Up

Podcast: T-Minus Space Daily
Host: Maria Varmazes, N2K Networks
Date: September 2, 2025
Episode Title: NASA Union Shake-Up

Episode Overview

This episode of T-Minus Space Daily delivers a thorough analysis of a significant policy shift affecting NASA and its workers: a new U.S. Executive Order excluding NASA from collective bargaining representation due to its reclassification as primarily involved in national security work. The episode breaks down the background, implications, and reactions to this order, and offers a curated rundown of other significant space industry news. The episode also features a rich interview with Rohan M. Ganapathi, CEO and CTO of Bellatrix Aerospace, about the rapid evolution of India's private space sector, and Bellatrix's journey in spacecraft propulsion and green technologies.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. NASA Union Exclusion—A Labor Day Policy Shock

[02:00–06:50]

• Executive Order Details:
  • The U.S. President issued an executive order titled "Further Exclusions from the Federal Labor Management Relations Program," removing NASA and several other agencies/subdivisions from collective bargaining under the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act.
  • The rationale: these agencies have a “primary function of intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative or national security work.”
• NASA’s Situation:
  • 53% of NASA’s workforce is currently represented by unions, notably the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers and the American Federation of Government Employees.
  • Labor groups strongly oppose the move, labeling it as "another clear example of retaliation against federal employee union members who stand up to the President's anti-worker, anti-American plan." (AFGE, [04:30])
  • The White House argues NASA's deep involvement in advanced air and space technologies justifies its reclassification.
• Analysis & Uncertainty:
  • Critics question the true motivation, suspecting union-busting intentions.
  • Long-term ramifications for the agency’s workforce and U.S. space policy are yet to be seen.
  • Quote: "Still, it is not yet known what the long term effects of this move will be. I guess we will just have to watch this space." — Maria Varmazes [06:40]

2. Additional News Highlights

[06:50–09:00]

• NASA Awards $1.8 Billion ‘Cosmos’ Contract:
  • Ascend Aerospace and Technology to oversee spaceflight mission operations and systems for Johnson Space Center.
  • Five-year base period, possible extension to 2034.
  • Will support major programs: Orion, SLS, ISS, Artemis, and commercial crew.
• Maine Floats a Spaceport at Sea:
  • The Maine Space Corporation shifts efforts from land-based options to consider a floating launch facility via The Spaceport Company.
  • Aims to capitalize on geographic advantages for polar orbit launches.
• New NASA Plant Growth Tools:
  • Tools utilize data from the PACE satellite's Ocean Color Instrument to monitor terrestrial plant productivity, offering dual-use Earth observation.
• Amazon Kuiper & Space Traffic:
  • Amazon joins TRAX (Traffic Coordination System for Space) as a pilot user alongside SpaceX, Iridium, OneWeb, etc. System now covers ~8,000 spacecraft and is slated for full production in 2026.

3. Feature Interview: Rohan M. Ganapathi, CEO & CTO, Bellatrix Aerospace

[11:11–21:39]

Company Origins and Role

• Bellatrix, a 13-year-old Indian company, specialized in satellite and spacecraft propulsion—both electric and chemical.
• Clear mission: "The goal is to mainly make the orbital economy as accessible as possible." — Rohan M. Ganapathi [11:40]
• Fun fact: Named after the star, not the Harry Potter character.

India’s Rapidly Expanding Space Market

• Significant increase in collaboration and technology openness over the past decade.
  "Ten years before... anything propulsion people take it as dual use. So there was a lot of restrictions in terms of importing tech...now...space is more globalized." — Rohan [12:53]
• Bellatrix recently expanded into the US market; sees a crowded but promising future for space startups.

Bellatrix's Approach to Green Propulsion

• Early commitment to offering hybrid solutions: “One solution fits all philosophy is something which Bellatrix will not follow.” — Rohan [14:38]
• On the downsides of traditional propellants: "The system might be cheaper, but the handling it, the setting up of the infrastructure is expensive... it's a concern for the environment." [15:32]
• Development of a cleaner, more efficient ‘green’ chemical propellant, but maintaining compatibility with hydrazine as a fallback.
• Emphasizes both operational performance and environmental responsibility: “We want to see a green economy as well.” [16:57]

Specialized Focus vs. Global Scaling

• Challenges in attracting investment: specialization can mean a smaller total addressable market (TAM).

• Orbital economy’s future: sees propulsion as:

  • Key to the growth of in-space manufacturing, debris mitigation, and lunar resources exploitation.
  • Example: Engines using water as propellant—potentially harvestable from the Moon.

• "If you want to build big structures in space... it's not the capacity of the rocket, it's basically the volume... you need to really build cargo ships kind of structures in space." — Rohan [19:02]

In-Space Mobility & Business Model Evolution

• Indian startups may be more risk-averse, prefer broad foundational platforms adaptable to many uses.
• Bellatrix has positioned itself to deliver flexible propulsion solutions as the lower launch costs and higher mission cadence make new business models viable.
• “Keep the solution ready when the market is right. You should not lose the first mover advantage.” — Rohan [21:07]

4. Quick Astroscience Update & Observing Tips

[22:23–24:47]

• Asteroid 225QD8 to pass close to Earth—about 57% the distance to the Moon, with no threat to our planet.
• Upcoming potential for auroras due to a moderate geomagnetic storm.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “53% of NASA’s workforce is in a bargaining unit... this new EO as ‘another clear example of retaliation against federal employee union members...’” — Maria Varmazes quoting AFGE [04:13]

• “[With] more satellites going up... you need solutions not just to propel satellites, you need solutions to deorbit them, to avoid collisions, to clear debris.” — Rohan Ganapathi [17:55]

• “If you want to build big structures in space through the Artemis Accords, Moon is the next place we are going... go there [for mining resources]...” — Rohan [19:08]

• “We want to be a responsible space company... we also wanted to address the issues which happen here on ground. So green propulsion was an obvious choice.” — Rohan [15:52]

Key Timestamps

• [02:00] — NASA excluded from federal labor union representation: context and reactions.
• [04:30] — AFGE’s sharp critique of executive order.
• [06:50] — NASA’s $1.8B ‘Cosmos’ contract announced.
• [07:37] — Maine pursues floating spaceport concept.
• [08:19] — Amazon joins TRAX; space traffic coordination update.
• [11:11] — Rohan Ganapathi/Bellatrix Aerospace interview begins.
• [14:33] — Green propulsion discussion.
• [17:38] — On challenges of global scaling as a specialist.
• [19:02] — Discussing lunar mining, in-space manufacturing, and water propulsion.
• [21:09] — Bellatrix’s philosophy on being market-ready and adaptable.
• [22:23] — Science update: asteroid flyby and solar storm aurora alerts.

Final Notes

This episode underscores the increasing intersection between labor policy, national security, and the space industry’s future workforce. It also highlights India’s emergence as a dynamic player in space innovation, reflecting on both the opportunities and real-world complexities of global expansion, green technology, and in-space infrastructure. The featured interview with Rohan Ganapathi offers both technical and business insights—especially relevant for space professionals tracking the evolving propulsion landscape and international space startup ambitions.