Episode 47 is a conversation with Maria Marante, Presales Engineer at Alén Space , about the advantages of new communication payloads to face the challenges of modern space missions. Alén Space is a small satellite product manufacturer and service provider based in Spain. In this podcast, we discuss: The industry growth and challenges in LEO communication missions Evolution and development of a new SDR to respond to the market needs How new horizons (missions/applications) are achievable with a ...
Feb 16, 2023•26 min•Ep. 47
Episode 46 is a conversation with Peter Mendham, CEO of Bright Ascension , about space software development. Bright Ascension is a Scotland-based software company that builds tools, model-based platforms, and solutions for space engineers and other stakeholders. In the podcast we discuss: Typical timelines for software development in different types of space mission The common bottlenecks that slow down development and how to mitigate them The risks that ineffective software can bring to mission...
Jan 12, 2023•31 min•Ep. 46
Episode 45 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Michael Seidl, Systems Engineer with a focus on space applications, and Adrian Helwig, Analog Field Application Engineer, of satsearch member Texas Instruments (TI). TI is a global electronics manufacturer and innovation company with a strong interest in space. In this podcast Michael and Adrian delve into the myriad of decisions that face engineers looking to develop optimally-performing data acquisitions system for space. We cover: ...
Nov 24, 2022•41 min•Ep. 45
Episode 42 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Fedor Antonov, CEO of Anisoprint. Anisoprint is a Luxembourg-based provider of continuous fiber 3D printing solutions and in this podcast we delve into additive manufacturing processes for, and in, space. We discuss: What we've learned about 3D printing in space in the last 10 years The applications for in-space fabrication and the current state of the market In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and how it could support space explorati...
Nov 18, 2022•51 min•Ep. 42
Episode 44 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Michael Aspetsberger, Head of Aerospace, at Cloudflight, on building digital products that incorporate AI. Cloudflight is a digital innovation and solutions provider working across many sectors, including space. In the podcast we cover: The key roles that data processing algorithms play in satellite missions and services How AI can help when hardware alone isn't adequate and you need to use routines that go beyond standard toolkits Wh...
Oct 20, 2022•35 min•Ep. 44
Episode 43 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Stefan Frey, Co-founder of satsearch member Vyoma, on space situational awareness (SSA). Vyoma is a space debris monitoring company, based in Germany, developing solutions designed to ensure safe passage through space. In the podcast we cover: An overview of the current space debris environment in LEO, MEO and GEO The pros and cons of space-based and ground-based Space Situational Awareness (SSA) sensors and systems How fast and accur...
Oct 13, 2022•27 min•Ep. 43
Episode 41 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Gonzalo Crespo, Aerospace Manager at satsearch member EOSOL Group . EOSOL Group is a global engineering and technical assistance services company. With experience in more than 40 countries around the world, the company operates in the strategic energy, industry, automobile, civil works, telecommunications, space, and defense sectors. In this episode we discuss the development of ground segment antennas and feeds, and their uses in mod...
Aug 25, 2022•28 min•Ep. 41
Episode 40 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Michael Seidl, Systems Engineer with a focus on space applications, and Adrian Helwig, Analog Field Application Engineer, of satsearch member Texas Instruments (TI). TI is a global electronics manufacturer and innovation company with a strong interest in space. In this podcast Michael and Adrian delve into how to enhance the performance of phased array antennas in satellite communications (satcom) applications by optimizing beamformin...
Jul 14, 2022•30 min•Ep. 40
Episode 39 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Rifath Shaarook, Chief Technology Officer at Space Kidz India on procurement in the modern space supply chain. Space Kidz India is a Chennai, India, based company that develops satellite and high-altitude balloon missions, technology demonstrations, educational programs, and a range of other initiatives in the space industry. In the podcast we discuss: Space Kidz India's origins and missions carried out to date What the company looks ...
Jun 30, 2022•26 min•Ep. 39
Episode 38 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with the Oxford Space Systems (OSS) team on the development of deployable antenna systems. Oxford Space Systems is a UK-based specialist in the manufacture of deployable antennas and structures across a variety of CubeSat and smallsat mission profiles. We covered: How a project is initiated and how customer partnerships are developed How RF analysis on new antennas is performed The mechanical aspects of testing and development that need to...
Jun 16, 2022•37 min•Ep. 38
Episode 37 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Antonio Pedivellano, Lead Deployables Engineer, and Thomas Sinn, CEO of Deployables Cubed (DcubeD) . DcubeD is a Munich-based NewSpace company specializing in the development of deployable components and sub-systems for small satellites. In the podcast we cover: The technology limitations that make a case for high power deployable solar array solutions The areas of innovation that DcubeD has brought together to bring their system to m...
Jun 02, 2022•19 min•Ep. 37
Episode 36 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Ignacio Chechile, Chief Technology Officer of ReOrbit - a Finland-based manufacturer of reusable space systems - about innovation in NewSpace. We cover: What the NewSpace sector is and how it is characterized What makes spacecraft architectures different in today's missions The importance of software at all levels of a mission The concept of a software-defined satellite and what opportunities this is bringing to the industry You can f...
Apr 28, 2022•27 min•Ep. 36
Episode 34 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Kshitij Khandelwal, founder and CTO of Pixxel , about procurement in today's space industry. We cover: What upstream manufacturers look for in new potential suppliers How to work with prospective clients to ensure your proposals are effectively assessed Lead times and logistics considerations in the modern industry What's on the horizon for Pixxel's constellation and business You can find out more about Pixxel here on their website . ...
Apr 07, 2022•24 min•Ep. 35
In this episode I speak with Maciej Ziaja, Machine Learning Software Engineer at satsearch member company KP Labs https://satsearch.com/suppliers/kplabs. KP Labs is a Poland-based company offering AI computers and software to bring autonomy to demanding space missions. In the podcast we discuss: The factors driving the increase in adoption of on-board data processing (OBDP) and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities on satellites Examples of how algorithms and processing tools can support dif...
Mar 31, 2022•38 min•Ep. 34
Episode 33 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Laura Crabtree, CEO of Epsilon3 - a US-based provider of mission and engineering operations software. In the podcast we discuss: Commercial drivers in the human spaceflight (HSF) sector The economic impacts of commercial providers on NASA's future missions How the various proposed private space stations are contributing to HSF demand Predictions on the evolution of the market in years to come You can find out more about Epsilon3 here ...
Mar 24, 2022•21 min•Ep. 33
In this episode I speak to Alexander Telle, CEO of satsearch member ACM Coatings GmbH of Acktar Ltd. ACM Coatings specializes in ultra-black coatings and foils that improve the efficiency and performance of optical equipment. In this episode we discuss how coatings can be used to suppress stray light, and reduce noise and reflections, as well as how to integrate them into space equipment for missions. We cover: How black coatings are leveraged in space missions Qualification and testing requirem...
Mar 17, 2022•20 min•Ep. 32
In this episode I speak to Michele Pergola, product manager at satsearch member Dimac Red . Dimac Red is a global professional sales organization with a focus on providing high-reliability electronic components for the space sector. In this episode we discuss the procurement of such components and what factors engineers need to weigh up during selection. We cover: Balancing performance and risk, as well as costs, in mission design Upscreening and qualifying electronic components for use in space...
Dec 16, 2021•17 min•Ep. 31
In this episode Hywel speaks with Michael Seidl, Systems Engineer for space applications at Texas Instruments . Texas Instruments is a global manufacturer of semiconductors, integrated circuits, and other electronic components, with headquarters in Dallas, Texas, in the US. The company has a suite of products for the defense, aerospace, and space sectors, and in this show we talk about how NewSpace engineers can balance risk, quality, and price during component procurement. We discuss: How engin...
Dec 09, 2021•22 min•Ep. 30
In this episode we speak with Zdravko Dimitrov, CEO of Sfera Technologies . Sfera is a Bulgarian NewSpace company that develops technologies to integrate satellite data systems. In the podcast we discuss: Uses of blockchain in the space industry, particularly in the ground segment The existing bottlenecks in ground station services The changes to practices, hardware, and software that blockchain technology would require How operators may be encouraged to introduce blockchain into existing system...
Nov 25, 2021•18 min•Ep. 29
In this episode we speak to Laura Crabtree Epsilon3 is a California, USA, based space software developer that creates tools to better communicate and manage operational procedures. The team includes engineering and design professionals from Northrop, Google, and SpaceX, with experience that includes first-hand operational management of sending American astronauts to the ISS. In the podcast we discuss how improved team communication and project lifecycle management can result in better engineerin...
Nov 11, 2021•21 min•Ep. 28
In this episode we speak to Marco Pavan, CEO and co-founder of satsearch member SteamJet Space Systems . SteamJet Space Systems is a small satellite propulsion system manufacturer based in the UK specializing in electrothermal water-based propulsion for CubeSats. In the podcast we discuss: The current maturity level of electrothermal water-based propulsion technologies Missions and maneuvers suited to flying water-based thrusters How water compares with other green propellants Future application...
Nov 04, 2021•21 min•Ep. 27
In this episode we speak with Lucille Baudet from satsearch member Oxford Space Systems (OSS) . Oxford Space Systems is a UK-based manufacturer of deployable antennas for the space industry. In this conversation we discuss the challenges of creating deployable antennas and systems for CubeSat missions, covering: The use of origami processes to stow and deploy antennas How deployable systems perform against fixed alternatives Testing and qualification mechanisms The use of advanced materials in d...
Oct 28, 2021•15 min•Ep. 26
In this episode we speak with Thomas Sinn, CEO and founder of Deployables CubeD (DcubeD) . DcubeD is a Germany-based manufacturer of actuators and deployable structures for nanosats and smallsats, and the wider commercial space industry. In this conversation, we discuss testing and qualification for deployables and other technologies. We cover: How testing and qualification of deployables is currently performed. Examples of different mission scenarios in which deployables are a key requirement. ...
Oct 21, 2021•19 min•Ep. 25
In this episode we speak to Viktor Danchev, Chief Technology Officer at satsearch member EnduroSat . EnduroSat is a nanosatellite manufacturer and operator with headquarters in Bulgaria. EnduroSat has quickly built a strong brand in the space sector since being founded in 2015 and has worked with customers all across the globe. In the show we discuss: The pros and cons of the standardization of satellite sub-system interfaces How teams can work better with satellite platform providers remotely T...
Oct 08, 2021•18 min•Ep. 24
In this episode we speak with Giovanni Pandolfi of Leaf Space , a Ground Segment as a Service (GSaaS) provider headquartered in Italy and with facilities around the world. Leaf Space has a major focus on the Ground station as a Service (GSaaS) business model and has served a range of clients across the industry running both single and multiple missions. In the episode we discuss some of the lessons and insights from this experience, including: The common bottlenecks satellite operators face with...
Sep 30, 2021•24 min•Ep. 23
In this episode we're joined by Helena Milevych and Jakub Nalepa from satsearch member KP Labs . KP Labs is a Polish NewSpace business founded in 2016 that develops autonomous spacecraft and robotic technology. In the episode we discuss creating a hardware and software ecosystem to bring AI-powered algorithms for autonomy in space missions. We cover: The current maturity of AI systems for autonomous operations The types of missions and requirements that could require such functionality KP Labs' ...
Sep 23, 2021•27 min•Ep. 22
In this episode we're joined by Søren Pedersen, SpaceCloud Sales Manager at Unibap AB (publ) and Thys Cronje, CEO of Simera Sense . Unibap is a Swedish firm that creates artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies to improve industrial processes and Simera Sense is an optical payload manufacturer based in South Africa. The two companies are currently working together to improve Earth Observation (EO) capabilities through advanced on-board processing, using AI techniques, which is th...
Sep 16, 2021•34 min•Ep. 21
In this episode we speak with James Barrington-Brown, CEO of NewSpace Systems - a space industry manufacturer with facilities in South Africa and the UK. NewSpace Systems has developed a strong heritage in the modern commercial space sector with hardware and services provided to more than 60 clients, including several national agencies. But this progress is a built on a foundation of expertise in so-called ‘Old Space’ industry – by applying lessons from working on missions and services in decade...
Sep 09, 2021•25 min•Ep. 20
Episode 19 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Chad Meskimen of Redwire Space on modeling and simulation design in space missions. Redwire is a space infrastructure company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and works with companies around the world on missions at a variety of scales. In the episode we discuss: The value of open architecture and common standards in space mission simulation How and when engineers should think about the modeling stage of a mission Redwire's Adv...
Jul 15, 2021•24 min•Ep. 19
In this episode we speak with Thys Cronje, Chief Commercial Officer of Simera Sense , about EO technologies and business models in today's industry. Simera Sense is an optical payload manufacturer based in South Africa, and is a member of the satsearch membership program. In the podcast we cover: The frequency bands that are currently under-addressed in planned EO constellations. Why some companies choose to vertically integrate EO business units, while others use more external suppliers. The sc...
Jul 01, 2021•25 min•Ep. 18
