177 - Playing Poker, Changing Mindsets and Space Superiority

Listen to Colonel Michael Christensen, currently stationed at the Pentagon and serving as the director of test and evaluation for the US Space Force. Discover why it's imperative to transform our testing approach to meet the unique challenges of space. Learn about the significance of integrated testing and why involving real operators in test teams is crucial to ensure testing meets the demands of end operators. Colonel Christensen discusses the importance of modeling and simulation in stress-testing systems before construction begins. He underscores the necessity of collaboration with mission partners to fulfill the critical roles and functions of the Space Force. Additionally, he addresses the difficulty of shifting mindsets to effectively operate in contested environments.