We continue our Space series with Kiersten Fortson, Senior Counsel for Launch Operations at Relativity Space and former FAA counsel. Kiersten shares how an unexpected moot court competition on international space law sparked her passion for the field, setting her on a path from the Pentagon to the FAA, where she worked on the landmark Part 450 launch licensing framework. She reflects on translating complex engineering concepts into clear regulatory language, the similarities between government and in-house counsel roles, and the satisfaction of partnering with clients to advance spaceflight. Along the way, Kiersten highlights the evolving nature of space law, the value of community in this close-knit industry, and the sense of “hope” that drives her work in commercial launch operations.

As part of our continuing series on Space Law, Janna Lewis, Senior Vice President of Policy and General Counsel of Astroscale U.S., Inc. joins the podcast to chat with host M.C. Sungaila about her career journey from planning to become a medical doctor to attending law school, becoming a patent litigator and government contracts lawyer in private practice, and then moving inhouse within the space industry. Janna shares what it's like to lead the legal department at a cutting-edge space company pioneering space sustainability and orbital debris removal, how she serves as a thoughtful collaborator in her client's innovation, and one of her favorite mottos: "Be true to your future." This is an engaging and inspiring episode that should not be missed.