Giorgio Saccoccia – former President of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), propulsion engineer, and lifelong “space fan.” From lunar outposts and electric thrusters to space-as-diplomacy, Saccoccia brings four decades of insight into turning quick “flags-and-footprints” missions into a permanent human presence beyond Earth.Key Moments⏱ Time Topic | 00:00:20  | Bootprints vs. Blueprints – Why Apollo was a sprint and why Artemis (or its successor) must be about settlement, not headlines. | 00:02:34  | Technology, Then & Now – Interfaces, autonomy, data, and why ISRU plus small nuclear reactors will make the lunar south pole viable. | 00:06:47  | Risk, Politics & Timing – Modern risk tolerances, geopolitics, and what still has to be fixed before Artemis-3 can launch. | 00:13:14  | The Storytelling Vision – From exploration “genes” to concrete incentives for returning to the Moon (science, resources, sustainability). | 00:22:00  | Space as Diplomacy – Salyut, Skylab, ISS, Gateway and how shared hardware keeps dialogue alive when terrestrial politics fracture. | 00:35:34  | Public–Private Tandem – Why big missions (Moon bases, Mars) will remain a joint venture between agencies and entrepreneurs. | 00:38:14  | Propulsion Futures – Chemical for launch/landing, electric (ion & Hall-effect) for cargo logistics; Smart-1, BepiColombo, and saving tonnes of propellant. | 00:57:36  | Italy & Europe’s Niche – Pressurised modules, lunar-hab know-how, and the political heft of a united EU in exploration. | 01:05:00  | Essential Qualities for 2040 Leaders – Curiosity and passion: the timeless fuel for the next generation of space pioneers. | 01:06:25  | Personal Touches – Playlist pick: Pink Floyd’s “Eclipse” and why a macchiato captures Saccoccia’s philosophy of balanced openness.Relevant Links & ReferencesESA Exploration Programme – https://www.esa.int/ExplorationNASA Artemis Overview – https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/ASI (Italian Space Agency) – https://www.asi.itBepiColombo Mission – https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColomboSMART-1 Electric-Propulsion Legacy – https://sci.esa.int/web/smart-1ISS Modules & Partnership – https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/index.htmlSpread the Cosmic Love!If Giorgio’s pragmatic-but-visionary roadmap fired your thrusters, share this episode with engineers, policy-wonks, and dreamers who see exploration as humanity’s best peace project.Space Café Podcast – where big ideas fuel the next giant leap.Send us a textYou can find us on Spotify and Apple Podcast!Please visit us at SpaceWatch.Global, subscribe to our newsletters. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!