Podcast Title: T-Minus Space Daily
Host: Maria Varmazes
Episode: The Karman Project Foundation
Release Date: July 12, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of T-Minus Space Daily, host Maria Varmazes delves into the mission and impactful work of the Karman Project Foundation, an NGO dedicated to fostering trust and cooperation among global leaders to ensure a sustainable and peaceful future in space. The episode features an in-depth interview with Hannah Ashford, the co-founder and managing director of the Karman Project, who shares her journey, the foundation's initiatives, and exciting collaborations aimed at democratizing access to space for emerging nations.

Hannah Ashford's Journey into Space

Timestamp: [02:08]

Hannah Ashford opens up about her unconventional path to the space sector. Growing up in regional Australia with a passion for the humanities, law, and journalism, she never envisioned a career in space. However, her move to Berlin and subsequent involvement in the innovation and disruptive technology ecosystem ignited her interest in space activities. This newfound passion, combined with her interest in geopolitical dynamics, led her to co-found the Karman Project Foundation.

Key Quote:

"I didn't grow up with the environment of perceiving that it was possible to have a career in space... I found myself studying law and journalism."
— Hannah Ashford [02:08]

Mission and Vision of the Karman Project Foundation

Timestamp: [05:10]

The Karman Project Foundation aims to build a cooperative and peaceful future in space by centering its efforts around people. The foundation focuses on the most critical challenges faced by the international space community and proactively builds networks of trust and avenues for collaboration. Central to their mission is cultivating a global community of responsible space actors and fostering trust among them to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape of today's world.

Key Activities:

• Leadership Development: Guiding space leaders to make informed and responsible decisions.
• Dialogue Facilitation: Creating safe spaces for open discussions among diverse stakeholders, including astronauts, agency heads, industry leaders, and artists.
• Action-Oriented Projects: Encouraging tangible collaborative efforts that address real-world challenges through space technologies.

Key Quote:

"Trust is really important because... it can lead us towards more cooperative situations or, indeed, more catastrophic ones."
— Hannah Ashford [07:00]

Collaborations and Initiatives

Collaboration with Jaguar Space

Timestamp: [09:16]

One of the standout projects discussed is the collaboration with Jaguar Space, led by Dr. Louis Sayer. This partnership focuses on creating opportunities for emerging space nations to access space, particularly the International Space Station (ISS). Through the Carmen Fellowship Program, the foundation selects 15 individuals annually from over 70 nations who demonstrate the potential to shape the future of space responsibly.

Carmen Fellowship Program Pillars:

1. Leadership: Empowering fellows to make informed and globally aware decisions.
2. Dialogue: Facilitating open and safe discussions on the future of space.
3. Action: Encouraging fellows to undertake tangible projects that build trust and cooperation.

Project Highlight:

• Agricultural Payloads to the ISS: Four emerging space nations—Armenia, Egypt, Nigeria, and Pakistan—are sending culturally and economically significant seeds (pomegranate, Egyptian cotton, melon, and wheat) to the ISS. This initiative not only promotes scientific research in microgravity but also aims to inspire and engage communities back home.

Key Quote:

"We never just wanted to be a think tank... the most important pillar of our foundation is action."
— Hannah Ashford [12:07]

Space Peace Prize

Timestamp: [23:20]

Looking ahead, the Karman Project Foundation is excited to announce the upcoming launch of the Space Peace Prize. This prestigious international recognition aims to honor projects that accelerate peaceful and cooperative uses of space. The prize is designed with input from diverse global partners to ensure it reflects a truly international vision.

Key Quote:

"We need to proactively model the future that we want to see. We can't just leave the future of space to chance."
— Hannah Ashford [23:20]

Impact and Future Directions

Hannah Ashford emphasizes the importance of creating narratives that resonate culturally with populations worldwide, akin to the inspirational storytelling of NASA. By enabling more nations to participate in space exploration, the Karman Project Foundation seeks to build national myths and inspire future generations across diverse cultures.

Upcoming Initiatives:

• Delegation to India: In 2025, the foundation will send a delegation of Carmen fellows to Bangalore to engage with India’s vibrant space ecosystem, learning from ISRO and the thriving private sector.
• Scaling Impact: Beyond individual initiatives, the foundation aims to incentivize responsible and cooperative behaviors at an institutional level, fostering large-scale missions that reflect sustainable and peaceful principles.

Key Quote:

"We're looking at how we can scale that impact and really create a compelling North Star to encourage and incentivize more responsible behaviors at an institutional level."
— Hannah Ashford [23:20]

Conclusion

The Karman Project Foundation, under the leadership of Hannah Ashford, is making significant strides in democratizing access to space and fostering international cooperation. Through initiatives like the Carmen Fellowship Program and collaborations with organizations like Jaguar Space, the foundation empowers emerging space nations to contribute meaningfully to space exploration. The upcoming Space Peace Prize further underscores their commitment to promoting peaceful and sustainable uses of space. As geopolitical landscapes evolve, the Karman Project Foundation stands as a beacon for responsible and collaborative space endeavors.

Notable Quotes

• Hannah Ashford [02:08]:

  "I didn't grow up with the environment of perceiving that it was possible to have a career in space... I found myself studying law and journalism."

• Hannah Ashford [07:00]:

  "Trust is really important because... it can lead us towards more cooperative situations or, indeed, more catastrophic ones."

• Hannah Ashford [12:07]:

  "We never just wanted to be a think tank... the most important pillar of our foundation is action."

• Hannah Ashford [23:20]:

  "We need to proactively model the future that we want to see. We can't just leave the future of space to chance."

For more information about the Karman Project Foundation and their initiatives, visit their official website.