AIAA has just dropped the first episode of its new interview and storytelling podcast: Up Next with Clay Mowry.
Up Next pulls back the curtain on the breakthroughs shaping the future of air and space. Each episode brings you behind the scenes with the leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs building what comes next. This new podcast series is designed to bring substantive, forward-looking conversations directly to the AIAA community of engineers, executives, students, and industry professionals.
Episode 1: A Conversation with Palmer Luckey
Palmer Luckey, Founder of Anduril Industries, joins host Clay Mowry, AIAA CEO, and Jessica “STING” Peterson, Instructor Flight Test Engineer, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, for our first episode.
In their wide-ranging conversation at Anduril headquarters in Costa Mesa, California, they talk about Luckey’s vision for the future of defense, technology, and manufacturing – moving beyond today’s products to understand the ideas and long-term strategies shaping the next generation of innovation.
As a newer entrant to the defense technology industry, Luckey reveals how Anduril is working to build trust in autonomous flight systems. In this dynamic exchange, he breaks down the battlespace of the future for us. Spoiler alert: it’s subterranean.
Luckey previews what’s Up Next with Anduril’s $1 billion bet on building “hyperscale” weapons in its five-million-square-foot plant outside Columbus, Ohio: Arsenal-1. He sees its potential to eventually be able to produce tens of thousands of weapons each year. The twist is their approach to building drones and autonomous systems the way other tech companies build consumer electronic systems – use a common set of commercial tooling and processes for every vehicle type.
Throughout their conversation, Luckey recounts the science fiction inspirations that have sparked his lifelong creativity.
Season 1 Continues This Fall
Up Next will deliver several episodes each season. Upcoming episodes in Season 1 include:
The Quantum Horizon: How Quantum Technology Could Transform Aerospace
Sarah Hiza, Senior Vice President, for Technology and Strategic Innovation, Lockheed Martin, gives the Up Next audience a deep dive into quantum technology. She talks about the promise and the challenge of quantum in aerospace.
The Future of Hybrid Electric Aviation with Electra Founder John Langford
John Langford, Founder of Electra, joins Up Next from the AIAA Podcast Studio to share his lessons learned from founding companies that push the boundaries of aviation. Hear how he blends his passion for flight with inspiring the next generation of aerospace professionals.
More guests will be scheduled to complete the fall season. Season 2 will launch in early 2027 with all new episodes.
Listen and Watch Now
Up Next represents a next step in AIAA’s rapidly growing digital ecosystem. You can find each episode on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.
