Josh Foerschler
in Connect on LinkedIn
As competition intensifies to establish the next outposts beyond Earth’s orbit, the space economy is moving from what seemed like a far-out possibility to near-term project delivery. Josh Foerschler, a business development leader focused on aerospace, space and defense infrastructure, discusses the advanced technologies to watch; the pivotal role of architecture, engineering and construction (AEC); and the specialized facility design considerations that bridge laboratory research to launch readiness.
Q: What technology do you see as most critical, or most limiting, to advancing space capabilities today and in the near future?
A: Two issues rise to the top. The first is reliable super-heavy-lift technology and infrastructure. SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy and the new Starship, as well as NASA’s SLS, are the leading options for boosting larger payloads into orbit and, eventually, supporting logistics and missions to the moon and Mars. Until one of them proves dependable, ambitions for sustained surface missions and larger infrastructure such as future commercial space stations or lunar bases will remain constrained by launch capacity.
The second is power, whether it be in orbit, in transit or on the lunar surface. Solar works in many scenarios but, of course, has limits in deep space or areas with prolonged darkness. That puts greater focus on advancing battery technology as well as nuclear solutions. It comes down to whether national spending is keeping pace with other countries and the ambitions of the industry. Budget stability is critical because it supports the long-leading technological development that our space programs depend on.
Q: How can the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry play a key role in building space infrastructure and driving space commercialization?
A: Space missions are executed inside purpose-built terrestrial infrastructure long before any hardware sees a launch pad. Scientists and engineers rely on facilities that allow them to design, fabricate, test, process and eventually launch. Facilities need to have a wide variety of areas like laboratories, clean rooms, machine shops, SCIFs, test stands, high-bay assembly areas, launch complexes and even simple office space.
AEC firms can help close capital project delivery schedule gaps by sequencing what matters most for mission readiness. One example is prioritizing building a propulsion flame range at your facility, so the team can shorten cycles between hot fires, test flight hardware and compress time to launch. Beyond headline programs, an entire supplier ecosystem of primes, mid-majors and startups depend on flexible, code-compliant and high-reliability facilities. Strong facility and capital planning becomes a force multiplier for the overall mission timeline.
Q: Communications is a leading driver of space commerce. Can you share recent developments, especially in satellite-based cellular service and direct-to-device connections?
A: Direct-to-device service is beginning to move from concept to deployment. SpaceX was first to establish a large low earth orbit (LEO) constellation through Starlink and has partnered with mobile carriers to expand coverage. The company recently purchased additional spectrum, strengthening its ability to provide true satellite-to-handset connections. Amazon is also pursuing this market through Project Kuiper, which has launched its first satellites and plans to build a comparable system.
The business model is relatively simple: Companies place networks of satellites in orbit and then sell bandwidth to customers who need reliable connectivity. Those customers may include households in remote areas, vehicles on the move and government agencies with critical communications needs. These developments are expanding both the demand for satellite-enabled services and the need for the ground infrastructure that supports them.
Q: What engineering and construction challenges are unique to space compared to those we face on Earth?
A: For AEC teams, the distinct challenge shows up in the testing environment. Facilities on Earth must re-create the conditions that hardware will face during launch and in space, including vibration, vacuum, radiation, temperature extremes and acoustic loads. That often means installing specialty testing equipment in their facilities, such as thermal vacuum chambers, high-energy shaker tables, cryogenic systems and more, all while following strict terrestrial building safety measures. These facilities need to maintain tight tolerances, prevent contamination and deliver consistent, repeatable test conditions.
Looking ahead, building permanent facilities on the moon or Mars introduces an entirely different set of design questions. Every kilogram of material launched from Earth comes with cost and scrutiny. For this reason, in situ resource use, which means leveraging local materials such as lunar regolith (soil), is being explored as a way to support construction and reduce dependence on Earth-based supply. These concepts are being tested through prototypes and materials researched on Earth. The facilities designed and built on Earth today to support these types of efforts will influence how design and construction are eventually carried out beyond our planet.
