Beyond the Kármán Line with Ms. Sarah Banco, Former Senior Director of Legal Corporate at SpaceX

Professor Laura K. Donohue with Ms. Sarah Banco, Former Senior Director of Legal Corporate at SpaceXAs commercial actors rapidly expand humanity’s presence beyond Earth, one critical question emerges: who governs space?In this episode of NatSec EmTech, Prof. Laura K. Donohue sits down with Sarah Banco, formerly of SpaceX, to unpack the evolving legal, geopolitical, and technological landscape of commercial space exploration.From the Outer Space Treaty and the Rescue and Return Agreement to questions of sovereign liability and private-sector accountability, this conversation explores the legal frameworks shaping the future of space operations. Are commercial entities like SpaceX bound by international law in the same way as nation-states? If a foreign actor attacks a commercial spacecraft, could it be treated as an attack on the United States? Conversely, can states be held responsible for the actions of private space companies operating under their jurisdiction?The discussion also examines the deeper implications of humanity becoming a multi-planetary species. Could commercial expansion into space raise concerns about sovereignty and non-appropriation? Is the rise of private space companies comparable to any historical entities?Beyond law and geopolitics, the episode dives into the engineering realities of reusable launch systems, in-space refueling, and the practical challenges of sustaining long-term space exploration. Why is Mars the ultimate destination for SpaceX? Why not the Moon? And what lies ahead in the quest to make life multi-planetary?Join us for a fascinating conversation at the intersection of national security, emerging technology, international law, and the future of humanity in space.Disclaimer: Sarah Banco is no longer associated with SpaceX. The views expressed in this podcast are solely the personal views of the guest and should not, under any circumstances, be attributed to SpaceX or NatSec EmTech.