Why the Space Force Needs a 'Tony Stark Acquisition Model'The Pentagon takes years to build what China develops in months. But what if the problem isn't the technology: it's the system itself?Colonel Eric Felt (ret.) spent his career inside the machine—leading the Air Force Research Lab Space Vehicles Directorate and shaping Space Force acquisition at the Pentagon. Now he's breaking down exactly where defense innovation breaks, and how to fix it.In this conversation, we cover:
What Can We Learn from INTERWAR Tanks to Build the Perfect Space Vehicle?
Nicholas Moran (The Chieftain) returns to Cold Star Project for an in-depth analysis of interwar tank doctrine development and its applications to modern space defense.Episode Focus: How seven major nations approached mechanized warfare challenges between 1918-1939, examining their strategic constraints, doctrinal solutions, and ultimate battlefield outcomes.
Key Discussion Points:
Target Insights: Defense professionals will recognize familiar strategic dilemmas in resource allocation, technological integration, and operational planning. History enthusiasts get detailed examination of lesser-known doctrinal decisions that shaped WWII outcomes.Why This Matters: The same fundamental questions that plagued interwar military planners—mobility versus protection, standardization versus specialization, offensive versus defensive priorities—are now central to space-based defense planning.The
Cold Star Project - Season 4, Episode 23Hosted, Directed, and Produced by Jason Kanigan
“The real conversations behind the new space economy, defense tech, and policy—straight from the insiders building it.”
Google Sheet: "Interwar Tank Doctrine Comparison Table Developed from Nicholas Moran's Analysis"
https://coldstarproject.com/morantable
The Chieftain YouTube Channel: / @thechieftainshatch
Previous interview: • Nicholas Moran - Tank Research with The Ch...
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Music: W. A. Mozart, Symphony No.38 in D major
Attribution: A Far Cry Music (YouTube Audio Library), no attribution required
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Remuneration Disclaimer: We were not remunerated in any way by the guest or their organization if any for this discussion. This show is for educational/commentary and entertainment purposes only and is not meant to be what is termed "professional advice".
The Cold Star Project is sponsored in partnership by Cold Star Technologies and the Operational Excellence Society. Jason Kanigan is a member of the board of advisors of the OpEx Society.
Cold Star Technologies website:
Operational Excellence Society website:
About Jason Kanigan:
Space Force: 4 Things YOU Need to KNOW About the Future of Warfare - Interview with Joel Mozer
In this revealing interview with Dr. Joel Mozer, retired Chief Scientist of the US Air Force and Space Force, discover insights reshaping America's Space Force and warfighting strategies. Based on a three-year study, Dr. Mozer reveals why space has hit a critical "tipping point", transforming from government-controlled frontier into the ultimate battleground where commercial companies, military forces, and national powers collide. This strategic reality is driving Pentagon decisions right now.
Learn how the Space Force's dual mandate revolutionizes military strategy, why commercial space partnerships are America's secret weapon, and what capabilities the US must develop to maintain space supremacy. Dr. Mozer breaks down four critical observations from the multi-author official "Beyond the Tipping Point" report about warfare's future, revealing how space operations connect to every Earth mission.
The Cold Star Project - Season 4, Episode 22Hosted, Directed, and Produced by Jason Kanigan
“The real conversations behind the new space economy, defense tech, and policy—straight from the insiders building it.”
PDF Report, "Beyond the Tipping Point:Space Strategic Foresight Implications forNational and United States Space Force (USSF)", Google Drive link:https://coldstarproject.com/mozerreportDr. Mozer's LinkedIn Profile:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-mozer-391a0058/Remuneration Disclaimer:
We were not remunerated in any way by the guest or their organization if any for this discussion. This show is for educational/commentary and entertainment purposes only and is not meant to be what is termed "professional advice".
The Cold Star Project is sponsored in partnership by Cold Star Technologies and the Operational Excellence Society. Jason Kanigan is a member of the board of advisors of the OpEx Society.
Cold Star Technologies website: https://www.coldstartech.com
Operational Excellence Society website: https://www.opexsociety.org
About Jason Kanigan: https://jasonkanigan.com
NASA's BIGGEST Moon Challenges for University Students - Interview with Paul van SusanteHow do we generate power on the Moon — and keep it running through the harsh 14-day lunar night? In this episode of the Cold Star Project, Dr. Paul van Susante of Michigan Tech shares what it really takes to make lunar infrastructure a reality.
From lunar robotics to the NASA Watts on the Moon Challenge, Dr. van Susante’s team of students is solving real-world problems that will shape the future of Moon missions and deep space exploration. We share the experiences of his students participating in NASA challenges on regolith handling, power transmission, thermal issues, and what it means to build infrastructure where no one’s done it before.
🔧 Topics Covered:
🎓 Guest: Dr. Paul van Susante – Professor at Michigan Technological University and Principal Investigator of the Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab (a.k.a. HuskyWorks).
This episode is brought to you by Cold Star Technologies and our Internal Business Intelligence™ initiative — helping space and defense founders gain clarity and control. Learn more at 👉 https://coldstartech.com/ibi
The Cold Star Project - Season 5, Episode 8
Hosted, Directed, and Produced by Jason Kanigan
“The real conversations behind the new space economy, defense tech, and policy—straight from the insiders building it.”
Further resources:
https://www.youtube.com/@NASAsBreakTheIceLunarChallenge
NASA Break the Ice Lunar Challenge website
https://breaktheicechallenge.com/NASA
Lunabotics competition (student competition) webpage
https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/lunabotics-challenge/
Fair Use Disclaimer: This video may contain copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available for purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act.
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this video for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
Credits & Attributions:
1. "[4K, 60 fps] Apollo 16 Lunar Rover 'Grand Prix' (1972 April 21, Moon)" — Film enhanced by Denis Shiryaev
Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az9nFrnCK60
2. "Side view of the crater Moltke" — Photo taken during Apollo 10 by NASA
Public domain. NASA Apollo Archive, Image AS10-29-4324
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4691773.
All student and competition photos provided by Paul van Susante.
Remuneration Disclaimer: We were not remunerated in any way by the guest or their organization if any for this discussion. This show is for educational/commentary and entertainment purposes only and is not meant to be what is termed "professional advice".
The Cold Star Project is sponsored in partnership by Cold Star Technologies and the Operational Excellence Society. Jason Kanigan is a member of the board of advisors of the OpEx Society.
Jason's latest Space industry book, The Evolution of Space Entrepreneurship:
https://coldstartech.com/evospace
Cold Star Technologies website:
https://www.coldstartech.com
Operational Excellence Society website:
https://www.opexsociety.org
About Jason Kanigan:
https://jasonkanigan.com
WWII Innovation Machine: Freedom's Forge and the Arsenal of Democracy - Interview with Bill Conley
How did America transform from a peacetime economy to the "arsenal of democracy" before entering WWII? In this compelling interview, Dr. Bill Conley—former Director of Electronic Warfare at DARPA and current CTO at Mercury Systems—delves into the insights from Freedom's Forge by Arthur Herman. The book chronicles how industrial leaders like William Knudsen and Henry Kaiser revolutionized U.S. defense production.
🔍 Key Discussion Points:
Dr. Conley brings a unique perspective, bridging historical strategies with contemporary defense needs. His experience at DARPA and Mercury Systems offers valuable insights into how past successes can inform future innovations.
📘 About Freedom's Forge: Arthur Herman's Freedom's Forge highlights the pivotal role of American industry in WWII, emphasizing the importance of leadership, innovation, and collaboration in overcoming monumental challenges.
The Cold Star Project - Season 4, Episode 21Hosted, Directed, and Produced by Jason Kanigan
Fair Use Disclaimer: This video may contain copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available for purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act.In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this video for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
Remuneration Disclaimer: We were not remunerated in any way by the guest or their organization if any for this discussion. This show is for educational/commentary and entertainment purposes only and is not meant to be what is termed "professional advice".
The Cold Star Project is sponsored in partnership by Cold Star Technologies and the Operational Excellence Society. Jason Kanigan is a member of the board of advisors of the OpEx Society.
Cold Star Technologies website: https://www.coldstartech.com
Operational Excellence Society website: https://www.opexsociety.org
About Jason Kanigan: https://jasonkanigan.com
"Supercharging the DEFENSE Innovation Game for an Unrivaled Advantage!"
with guest Mike Brown
The Cold Star Project - Season 4, Episode 20
Hosted, Directed, and Produced by Jason Kanigan
War On the Rocks article:
https://warontherocks.com/2023/09/revisiting-the-hedge-strategy-with-renewed-urgency/
Fast Follower Strategy paper:
https://coldstarproject.com/fastfollower
This video contains clips from the following copyrighted works used under Fair Use for commentary/criticism purposes:
The Final Countdown (1980) - © United Artists / MGM
The Color of Money (1986) - © Touchstone Pictures / Walt Disney Studios
Top Gun: Maverick (2022) - © Paramount Pictures
Modern Marvels DVD - © A&E Networks / History Channel
Cold War (CNN Documentary Series) - © CNN Productions
THAAD Missile Defense: How it Works - © Fox Business Network/Fox Corporation
Raytheon's Ballistic Missile Defense Systems Provide Layered Defense Around the World - © Raytheon Technologies (RTX)
All copyrighted content remains the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Music: "Per Kiilstofte - Dystopia" / perkiilstofte Royalty Free Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: https://bit.ly/dystopia-song
This show is for educational/commentary and entertainment purposes only and is not meant to be what is termed "professional advice".
The Cold Star Project is sponsored in partnership by Cold Star Technologies and the Operational Excellence Society. Jason Kanigan is a member of the board of advisors of the OpEx Society.
Cold Star Technologies website: https://www.coldstartech.com
Operational Excellence Society website: https://www.opexsociety.org
About Jason Kanigan: https://jasonkanigan.com
"Meet the MASTERMINDS Behind 2025's Most Epic Space Piracy Book!"
With guests Marc Feldman and Hugh Taylor
The Cold Star Project - Season 3, Episode 23
Hosted, Directed, and Produced by Jason Kanigan
The Book: Space Piracy: Preparing for a Criminal Crisis in Orbit published by John Wiley & Sons, 2025
https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Space+Pir...
Get the book on Amazon (non-affiliate link):https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394240201
This video contains clips from the following copyrighted works used under Fair Use for commentary/criticism purposes:
Moonraker (1979) - © Eon Productions/United Artists/Danjaq, LLC
Captain Phillips (2013) - © Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Entertainment
Space Rangers (1993) - © Paramount Television
Taboo (2017) - © Scott Free Productions/Hardy Son & Baker/FX Productions/BBC One
The Mandalorian (2019) - © Lucasfilm Ltd./Disney+
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) - © Paramount Pictures
Aliens (1986) - © Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
All copyrighted content remains the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
This show is for educational/commentary and entertainment purposes only and is not meant to be what is termed "professional advice".
Visual elements present in the original YouTube show version of this episode are unavailable in this format. We make this audio-only version available as a courtesy, and recommend you watch the original on YouTube for the full experience.Spaceship interior console images designed by Freepik.
The Cold Star Project is sponsored in partnership by Cold Star Technologies and the Operational Excellence Society. Jason Kanigan is a member of the board of advisors of the OpEx Society.
Cold Star Technologies website:https://www.coldstartech.com
Operational Excellence Society website:https://www.opexsociety.org
About Jason Kanigan:https://jasonkanigan.com
Past Defense Innovation Unit Director, visiting Scholar at Stanford, former large tech company CEO, and current venture capitalist Mike Brown is this interview guest on the Cold Star Project. Host Jason Kanigan asks Mike about the role of commercial technology in Great Power competition. We discuss:
USEFUL LINKS:
Mike Brown's 2017 DIUx Report:
https://www.k-state.edu/research/faculty/other-resources/facility-security-office/documents/diux-study.pdf
Secret History of Silicon Valley slides download from my Google Drive:
https://coldstartech.com/steveblank
Innovating Victory: Naval Technology in Three Wars by O'Hara and Heinz:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1682477320/
OpEx Society:
https://www.opexsociety.org
Talk to Cold Star:
https://coldstartech.com/talktous
US Navy Commander and defense contractor Tim Anderson returns to the Cold Star Project to give an update on what he's seen in the space industry over the past six months. This interview has a different format than usual. Host Jason Kanigan and Tim have a relaxed conversation about talent acquisition and collaboration, quantum computing, AI for space, launch systems, and a lot more. The big takeaway? That conversations in the space industry previously held behind closed doors are now happening in the open because of the need for collaboration. USEFUL LINKS: OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
"Recovering aerospace engineer" Rand Simberg is on the Cold Star Project to discuss three space industry issues. With host Jason Kanigan, Rand elaborates on:
USEFUL LINKS:
Safe Is Not An Option book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Not-Option-Rand-Simberg/dp/0989135519/
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
Paul Rulkens is frequently hired by organizations looking to install or improve their high performance culture. Examples are KPMG, Nestle, Uber, Siemens, and Mercedes Benz. But what does this mean in practical terms? What are these leaders bringing Paul Rulkens in to do? Jason Kanigan of the Cold Star Project continues the conversation with Paul about what it takes to have a high performance culture. USEFUL LINKS: Paul Rulkens website: https://www.paulrulkens.com/ OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
ZC Institute founder Greg Hodgin is the guest this time on the Cold Star Project. Dr. Hodgin is assembling a tech development consortium comprised of space industry labs and researchers. How has he done it? Where does the funding come from? Host Jason Kanigan asks Dr. Hodgin:
USEFUL LINKS: ZC Institute website: https://zcinstitute.com/ OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org America's Future Series: https://www.americas-fs.org/ Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
Michelle Hanlon, PhD, is a well-known space lawyer. With Jason Kanigan, host of the Cold Star Project, she discusses initiatives in space law that have happened over the past couple of years. We address these questions:
USEFUL LINKS: For All Moonkind website: https://www.forallmoonkind.org/ Talk to Cold Star: https://www.coldstartech.com/bookcall
Fellow copywriter John Caprani joins Jason Kanigan on the Cold Star Project. Their topic: Methods by which the social media content you post can be an advertisement for your skills. When does this work? When does it not? John and Jason dig into the answers. Questions covered include:
USEFUL LINKS: John Caprani on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jdcaprani Jason Kanigan official website: https://jasonkanigan.com Talk to Cold Star: https://www.coldstartech.com/bookcall
Robert Twiggs and Matt Craft, through Twiggs Space Labs, have run pilot Space and STEM / STEAM training programs for kids through the state of Virginia. Bob Twiggs is known as the "Father of the CubSat" for his co-development of the CubeSat standard. As they expand to serve the rest of the United States, Bob and Matt appear on the Cold Star Project to share their practices and vision.
Host Jason Kanigan asks Bob and Matt about their:
USEFUL LINKS:
Twiggs Space Lab (TSL) website: https://twiggsspacelab.com/
TSL is very interested in working with academic institutions, aerospace and defense companies, technology companies, and federal agencies, including NASA, DoD, and NOAA. The support can take many forms including:
Please feel free to contact TSL at bob.twiggs@twiggsspacelab.com ormatt.craft@twiggsspacelab.com
Talk to Cold Star: https://www.coldstartech.com/bookcall
Sales Performance Team founder Nicholas Loise returns to the Cold Star Project. He was President of Glazer Kennedy Inner Circle - GKIC/Magnetic Marketing, involved with GKIC 8 years; Owner of a Direct Response Agency and Outsourced Sales Leader Company; Adjunct Professor of Marketing, North Park University; MBA from North Park; VP Sales & Marketing Provena Mercy Medical Center 9 yrs, a $156 Million division. With host and fellow sales expert Jason Kanigan on the Cold Star Project, Nick illuminates how brick and mortar business owners who lead sales teams can get better results. Not only can they increase their enterprise valuation figure, but they can also see lower sales cycles, better visibility into what's happening, and of course improved revenue. Is there a hole in your sales process, or do you have to create your sales process? Join us and find out! USEFUL LINKS: Nick Loise email at Sales Performance Team: nick@salesperformanceteam.com Nick Loise phone number: 847-720-4264 Playlist: https://www.coldstartech.com/play Subscribe: https://www.coldstartech.com/subs Talk to Cold Star: https://www.coldstartech.com/bookcall
Jacob Meyer, PhD, is VP of Technology at ATSP Innovations. He has experience with SBIRs and the struggles of creating commercial products from them. Host Jason Kanigan of the Cold Star Project discusses these challenges with Dr. Meyer. USEFUL LINKS: ATSP Innovations website: https://www.atspinnovations.com/ OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org America's Future Series: https://www.americas-fs.org/ Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
Dr. Paul van Susante of Michigan Technological University, a past guest (link below), returns to the Cold Star Project. We're discussing his participation in a number of investigative projects and NASA challenges related to powering our first projects on the Moon. Host Jason Kanigan asks Paul about the:
USEFUL LINKS:
HuskyWorks website: https://huskyworks.space/
Paul's previous appearance on the Cold Star Project:
https://coldstarproject.com/aus02e42paulvansusante
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
America's Future Series: https://www.americas-fs.org/
Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
Did you know there are people with a specific skill set who can jumpstart your business? Copywriters like Jon Reyes and Jason Kanigan have the knowledge and experience to grow your business fast. Jon Reyes has been a copywriter for many years and worked for some of the top personal development names. With fellow copywriter and Cold Star Project host Jason Kanigan, Jon discusses: * working with the major factor of Compliance in copy, and how to scale with compliance as a limiter on what you can say * the power of using revealing flaws and shortcomings in copy, the use of repulsive copy and story telling to attract the best audiences and push away those who are not a fit, and how superiority creates skepticism--and how to fight that * Conversion Rate Optimization, and how CRO can work on two levels--technical, like button colors, versus business building CRO, such as brand voice * structuring copywriting deals today, compared with 5-10 years ago * why a business owner is better off hiring an experienced copywriter rather than an inexperienced hotshot who promises the world USEFUL LINKS: Jon's website: https://www.jonreyes.net/ Email Jon at: jon@copyblueprints.com OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org America's Future Series: https://www.americas-fs.org/ Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
Bill Conley was a DARPA Program Manager, then the US Department of Defense's expert on electronic warfare for four years, and is now Chief Technology Officer at Mercury Systems. Our topic is a comparison of the 19th Century's Concert of Europe vs Modern Day's communication and methods of deterrence. Cold Star Project host Jason Kanigan asks Bill Conley:
USEFUL LINKS:
"Mitchell Hour: State of Electronic Warfare in the DOD" [Dr. Conley lecture]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR_PPGDnejo
"What Is Eurasia?" [Dr. Stephen Kotkin lecture]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ghn1X7sRFs
Mercury Systems website: https://www.mrcy.com/
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
America's Future Series: https://www.americas-fs.org/
Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous