T-Minus Space Daily: "One small step for Isaacman."
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Maria Varmazes (N2K Networks)
Guest: Dr. Michelle Haley, Director of Global Affairs at Solamed Solutions
Episode Overview
This episode centers on the major developments in space industry and policy, including a pivotal update on Jared Isaacman's NASA nomination, investments in next-generation space infrastructure companies, and advances in space medicine ethics and cultural intelligence. A notable guest segment features Dr. Michelle Haley, focusing on Solamed Solutions' efforts to shape bioethics and inclusivity in commercial space exploration.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Intelligence Briefing: Top Space Industry and Policy Updates
Jared Isaacman’s NASA Nomination Advances [02:00-03:55]
- The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee advanced Jared Isaacman’s nomination for NASA Administrator.
- Context: His nomination had previously been withdrawn in April but is expected to reach a full Senate vote before Congress’s Christmas recess, with bipartisan support likely ensuring confirmation.
- Isaacman’s testimony commitment: “Urgency and extreme focus to the mission … lead humanity’s efforts to unlock the secrets of the universe and to ensure American leadership across the last great frontier.” (Maria Varmazes quoting Isaacman, [03:37])
Crewed Missions and Contracts [03:56-05:54]
- Soyuz MS-27 Safe Return: NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Rajikov and Alexei Zubritsky completed an 8-month ISS mission, landing safely in Kazakhstan.
- SpaceWorks Award: Neon Space receives a $1.9M Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract for missile warning and tracking technology, leveraging multispectral sensor innovations.
Space Infrastructure and Investment [05:13-06:15]
- Mantis Space’s New HQ: Selecting Albuquerque, NM, for its headquarters and R&D, aiming to deliver power to satellites, habitats, and lunar operations, creating 200+ high-tech jobs.
- Valerian Space Ventures: Investing in Antares Industries (deployable microreactors for austere environments), Samara Aerospace (high-precision, agile spacecraft), and Valar Atomics (scalable nuclear energy).
2. Feature Interview: Dr. Michelle Haley on Bioethics, Space Medicine, and Cultural Intelligence
Solamed Solutions’ Mission and Activities [09:38-10:31]
- Focus: Improving human health and performance in space through personalized medicine and risk reduction for future explorers.
- Verticals: Consultancy, education, and operations.
- Roundtable Initiative: Launching a seven-part series on bioethics and space medicine for commercial exploration to foster a culturally rich, globally engaged dialogue.
Cultural Intelligence & Global Inclusion in Space [10:34-13:10]
- Importance of Cultural Intelligence:
- Addressing overrepresentation and lack of diversity in global space ventures.
- Building platforms adaptable to various cultures and geographies (i.e., tailoring approaches for regions like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa).
- Quote: “It’s really about education and exposure … being mindful of how other communities operate and what relates to them … Exposure is really, you know, a lot of it. And giving opportunities.” — Dr. Michelle Haley [11:33-13:03]
- Organizational Learning: Institutions should learn from underrepresented perspectives to create more inclusive programs.
Fostering Collaboration and Creativity [13:19-14:19]
- Acknowledgement of Dr. Sara Lynn Mark, Solamed’s President, for supporting collaboration and idea-sharing.
- Quote: “She loves to bring people together … to really do something that we’re passionate and that we love … and not putting boundaries on what it is that we can do.” — Dr. Michelle Haley [13:19-14:16]
Concrete Initiatives: The Roundtable Series [14:35-16:57]
- Details: Exploring bioethics and medical priorities in commercial exploration.
- Harnessing cross-cultural exchanges to guide future actions and next steps.
- Quote: “Once you start getting the conversations … you get so much rich information ... From that, we can utilize that information to navigate what we’re going to do with next steps.” — Dr. Michelle Haley [15:31-15:42]
- Expanding Relationships: Building partnerships within both the space and education sectors to foster broader community involvement.
Final Reflection: Humanity, Inclusion, and Collective Progress [17:22-18:47]
- Message to Listeners: Emphasis on breaking silos, embracing collective humanity, and fostering respect/inclusion globally.
- Quote: “We all live on the planet. We need to be able to work together and to just kind of have a mindset of the collective … People want love. They want to be respected. They want to feel a part, right?... That will just make the world better, you know, for us as a collective.” — Dr. Michelle Haley [17:22-18:47]
3. Noteworthy News: Accessibility in Human Spaceflight [18:54-20:20]
- Blue Origin’s New Shepherd NS-37:
- Michaela "Mitchie" Benthaus to become the first astronaut using a wheelchair to go to space for a suborbital flight, marking a milestone for accessibility in space exploration.
- Benthaus’s Quote: “This feels like an important step since space travel for people with disabilities is still in its very early days. I might be the first, but have no intention of being the last.” [19:57]
Memorable Quotes with Attribution
- On NASA’s direction: “Urgency and extreme focus to the mission … lead humanity’s efforts to unlock the secrets of the universe and to ensure American leadership across the last great frontier.” (Isaacman, as quoted by Maria Varmazes, [03:37])
- On the core of cultural intelligence: “It’s really about education and exposure … being mindful of how other communities operate … giving opportunities.” — Dr. Michelle Haley [13:03]
- On team leadership: “She loves to bring people together ... not putting boundaries on what it is that we can do.” — Dr. Michelle Haley (re: Dr. Sara Lynn Mark) [13:19-14:16]
- On inclusion and collective progress: “People want love. They want to be respected. They want to feel a part, right?... That will just make the world better, you know, for us as a collective.” — Dr. Michelle Haley [17:22-18:47]
- On breaking barriers: “I might be the first, but have no intention of being the last.” — Michaela Benthaus (via Maria Varmazes) [19:57]
Segment Timestamps
- Intelligence Briefing: [01:22–07:04]
- Dr. Michelle Haley Interview: [09:28–18:47]
- Blue Origin NS-37 Accessibility News: [18:54–20:20]
Summary Tone
The episode blends journalistic clarity and warmth, with Maria Varmazes’s tone remaining accessible yet authoritative, and Dr. Haley offering an inspiring, collaborative, and optimistic perspective on inclusion and ethical leadership in the evolving space sector.
For Listeners
This episode provides a pulse on space industry trends, highlights the importance of culturally informed and ethical approaches to space medicine, and celebrates milestones in accessibility—all delivered through news, expert insights, and engaging conversation.