Refueling the Future: How Orbit Fab is Building Gas Stations in Space

Join host Maria Varmazis from T-Minus Space Daily as she sits down with Daniel Faber, CEO of Orbit Fab, at Commercial Space Week in Orlando, Florida for this special guest production for Space Café Radio.

In this fascinating conversation, Daniel reveals how his company is revolutionizing space operations by building the critical infrastructure that will unlock humanity's multi-planetary future - refueling stations in orbit.

Discover:

• How Orbit Fab expanded from a single employee to 25 people in the UK in just three years
• The shocking moment China refueled a satellite and outmaneuvered US spacecraft by burning six years of fuel in 10 minutes
• Why military leaders are finally saying "we need this NOW" after years of skepticism
• The technical challenges of docking spacecraft in a plasma environment with tens of thousands of volts of potential difference
• How self-driving car technology is being repurposed for autonomous spacecraft docking
• Daniel's vision for space refineries that could process asteroid materials into rocket fuel
• Why upgrading satellites in orbit could reduce costs by 90% and increase demand a hundredfold

From hydrazine to xenon, from LEO to GEO, Orbit Fab is building the industrial chemical supply chain that will enable satellite servicing, space manufacturing, and eventually - asteroid mining.

As Daniel says: "Getting humanity off Earth is going to be the most significant thing that's happened since we crawled out of the ocean. Why would I work on anything else?"

Space Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.global

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Power, Responsibility, and Europe’s Moment of Truth

In this episode of Space Cafe Radio, host Torsten Kriening speaks with Dr. Patrick Keller, Deputy Research Director at the German Council on Foreign Relations, about a world order that is no longer theoretical - but brutally real.

Dr. Keller dismantles one of Europe’s most comfortable assumptions: that international politics is still governed primarily by rules, institutions, and good intentions. That era, he argues, is fading fast. Power - political, economic, military, and technological - is once again the decisive currency. And Europe, especially Germany, must learn to think and act accordingly.

The conversation moves swiftly from abstract geopolitics to concrete consequences. A more transactional United States, shifting signals from Washington, and growing doubts about the long-term credibility of NATO security guarantees force Europe to confront an uncomfortable reality: strategic autonomy is no longer a slogan - it is a necessity.

From Greenland’s geopolitical relevance to the erosion of trust in long-standing alliances, Keller outlines a world in which geography, deterrence, and credibility matter again. In this context, space emerges not as a futuristic add-on, but as a core pillar of sovereignty. Investment in space infrastructure, resilience, and security is no longer optional - it is foundational for national and European defense.

Perhaps most striking is Keller’s call for clarity. Germany, he argues, must distinguish between what is essential and what is merely comfortable. Defense capability, economic competitiveness, technological leadership, and European cohesion must take precedence over symbolic debates and strategic hesitation.

Looking toward 2026, the message is unmistakable: Germany has the weight, the responsibility, and the opportunity to lead - but only if it is willing to act. Leadership, in this new global order, means making hard choices early rather than paying higher prices later.

This episode of Space Cafe Radio is not about alarmism. It is about realism. And about Europe finally stepping into a role it can no longer afford to avoid.

Space Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.global

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Brazil's Space Sector: 2025 Shifts and Future Outlook

In this episode of Space Cafe Radio, host Torsten Kriening sits down with Ian Grosner, the Head of the Legal Department of the Brazilian Space Agency, Chair of the Working Group on the Definition and Delimitation of Outer Space of COPUOS, Chair of the Latin American and Caribbean Subcommittee (LAC-SC) of the IAF to discuss the significant shifts in Brazil and Latin America's space sector in 2025.

Ian provides insights on how the industry has transitioned from a technology-driven model to a market-oriented approach, emphasizing the essential role of satellites in agriculture, climate policy, and security.

They also talk about the educational impact of small satellite programs, Brazil's progress with the Alcântara launch site, and the challenges faced by the burgeoning space startup ecosystem.

Join us as we explore how Brazil is integrating space-based data to drive economic and strategic outcomes on Earth.

Space Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.global

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Space Threats and Nordic Perspectives on Security: In-Depth with NOSA's Christian Hauglie-Hanssen

Join us in this insightful episode of Space Cafe Radio, where host Torsten Kriening talks about the critical role of space in security and defense from a Nordic perspective with Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, CEO of the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA). He shares his reflections on 2025 and sheds light on Norway's space-related contributions to NATO and the European Commission.

Hauglie-Hanssen discusses key programs like the Arctic Surveillance Program and the Arctic Satellite Broadband mission, emphasizing their impact on national and regional security. They also talk about the evolving space strategies in Europe and the United States, Germany's significant investment in space defense, and how these moves shape the broader geopolitical landscape.

Don't miss this comprehensive discussion on the challenges and opportunities ahead in 2026 for Norway and its partners.

Space Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.global

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Inside the DLR: National Security and Space Defense review 2025 with Prof. Dr. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla

Join us in this episode of Space Cafe Radio as host Torsten Kriening sits down with Inside the DLR: National Security and Space Defense review 2025 with Prof. Dr. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chairwoman of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). They talk the evolving role of DLR in national security and space defense research, discussing the impact of increased investments in the sector, the importance of dual-use technologies, and the agency's collaboration with startups and European partners.

Discover insights into the future of space defense, robotics in space missions, quantum technologies, and much more. Don't miss this comprehensive overview of the advancements and ambitions in aerospace research.

Space Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.global

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Reflecting on the Future of Military Space Strategies with Dr Bleddyn Bowen

In this episode of Space Cafe Radio, host Torsten Kriening talks about the evolution of military space strategies and the pressing defense issues facing Europe in 2025. He welcomes back Dr Bleddyn Bowen, Associate Professor of AstroPolitics at Durham University, to discuss a wide range of topics, including Europe's shifting defense language, the formation of the US Space Force, NATO's recognition of space as a war-fighting domain, and the need for robust political leadership.

Dr Bowen also reflects openly on Europe's dependence on US space capabilities and the potential future scenarios that Europe might be unprepared for. This insightful conversation highlights the intersection of international politics, military strategy, and space security.

Useful Links:

Original Sin

Space Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.global

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2025 and Beyond: The Franco-German Dynamics in Military Space with Dr Xavier Pasco

Join us as host Torsten Kriening sits down at the sidelines of the EU ISOS Strategic Forum 2025 in Munich with Dr Xavier Pasco, Director of the French Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS), to discuss the shifting dynamics in European military space policy. In the review series for 2025, they discuss the strategic moves by France and Germany, the importance of cooperation, and the investments being made in military space.

Xavier provides insights into the Franco-German relationship, budgetary challenges, and the critical role of space in modern defense. Don't miss this comprehensive analysis of Europe's space strategy and the outlook for 2026!

Space Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.global

We love to hear from you. Send us your thought, comments, suggestions, love letters

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DLR National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Innovations and Future Prospects

In this episode of Space Café Radio, host Torsten Kriening talks about the inauguration of the DLR National Drone Research Center in Cochstedt, Germany, on December 8, 2025. Joined by Daniel Suelberg, the center's Head, they explore the strategic and operational reasons behind Germany's need for such a facility. The conversation covers the reduction of testing times for drone technologies, the importance of the newly implemented geozone, and the center's different mission profiles, ranging from drone technology development to airspace integration and security applications.

Additionally, they discuss the global position of Germany in drone technology, the importance of counter UAS technology, and the dual-use reality of civil and security applications. Tune in for a comprehensive understanding of how the center aims to bridge the gap between research, industry, and regulatory bodies to accelerate drone technology development.

Useful link:

DLR National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Space Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.global

We love to hear from you. Send us your thought, comments, suggestions, love letters

Support the show

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