Space Business Podcast

Space Business Podcast #121 - Aaron Kemmer, Max Space: Inflatables

Inflatable space modules is what we are talking about in this episode, and that is Max Space’s product, a company that just came out more publicly at Space Symposium. My guest for the episode is CEO & co-founder Aaron Kemmer, who some of you may remember from his previous role as a co-founder of the in-space manufacturing company Made in Space. Aaron and I talk about his motivation to set up Max Space, and how their inflatables can be used for example as habitats, research labs, manufacturing sites and even as sports and entertainment venues in space.For full disclosure: Max Space is a portfolio company of E2MC, the space venture capital fund founded by our host Raphael Roettgen.
https://getmaxspace.com/Follow us:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/podcast_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen/
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/raphael_space/
Learn more about space & the space economy:
SPACE ECONOMY BOOK: Raphael's fully revised introductory book on the Space economy, "To Infinity" - https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
Check out the edX/EPFL Space Economy MOOC: https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-economy
Upcoming newsletter - sign up: https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
The Space Business Podcast is sponsored by NanoAvionics.
Timestamps:0:00 Intro2:26 Max Space3:32 Rationale for starting Max Space7:22 Inflatables9:26 Space in space13:13 In-space experiments15:51 Business model18:13 Customization for use cases21:13 User guide22:27 Life support and space hazards26:48 End of life planning30:18 Inflatables beyond Earth orbit35:50 Volume36:44 Fitting windows & other structures40:00 Inflating41:00 First module in space43:12 Major to-dos and milestones46:25 Regulatory process47:52 Long-term vision51:20 Other exciting things in the space industry55:07 Sci-fi

Space Business Podcast #120 - AdAstra - Space Talent Advisory

We are talking about the space job market in this episode. My guests are Seyka and Brian Mejeur, the founders of AdAstra, a space talent advisory or headhunting firm. Besides talking about the trends in the space job market in general, we also discuss some advice specifically for job candidates and for space founders. Make sure to listen in!
AdAstra website:
https://adastra.us/
Legacy vs. Startup Talent - article by Brian Mejeur:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/legacy-vs-startup-talent-brian-mejeur-apu2c/?trackingId=cxpwmH5ndwd5B9AjK0yI4w%3D%3D
Follow us:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/podcast_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen/
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/raphael_space/
Learn more about space & the space economy:
SPACE ECONOMY BOOK: Raphael's fully revised introductory book on the Space economy, "To Infinity" - https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
Check out the edX/EPFL Space Economy MOOC: https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-economy
Upcoming newsletter - sign up: https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
The Space Business Podcast is sponsored by NanoAvionics.
Timestamps
0:00 Episode intro2:07 Intro to AdAstra2:37 Life before AdAstra6:29 Market demand & scope of roles8:29 Advice for startups10:51 Startup culture vs legacy culture14:42 Advice for job candidates17:32 Pre-filtering21:22 Interview process25:45 Getting candidates from non-space companies29:40 Bottlenecks35:12 Restrictions on international candidates40:51 Gender imbalance in the space sector45:40 Subsector trends48:10 Roles & skills trends50:25 Regional Trends52:30 Compensation packages57:40 Protecting clients59:35 Space sector general interests1:02:24 Sci-fi

Space Business Podcast #119 - Luke Fischer, SkyFi: EO data

We are back talking about Earth observation. Specifically about how to make accessing and using EO data user-friendly. Our guest this week is Luke Fischer, co-founder & CEO of Sky-Fi, an Austin-based startup that is essentially an EO market place and app store. Luke tells us all about SkyFi and his view on the state of EO in general. Enjoy!
Follow us:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/podcast_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen/
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/raphael_space/
Learn more about space & the space economy:
SPACE ECONOMY BOOK: Raphael's fully revised introductory book on the Space economy, "To Infinity" - https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
Check out the edX/EPFL Space Economy MOOC: https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-economy
Upcoming newsletter - sign up: https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
The Space Business Podcast is sponsored by NanoAvionics.
Timestamps
0:00 Intro2:35 Elevator pitch3:40 EO data use now8:08 SkyFi's product11:42 A vision for space imagery14:30 Business development17:50 Business model & use cases20:20 Customer service21:30 Market education23:20 Government impact25:30 Trends, future tech & market gaps28:10 Regulatory restrictions 31:50 Consolidation potential impact37:20 User friendliness39:40 Interesting customer behavior & use cases43:40 Next milestones for SkyFi46:10 Ten-year vision49:15 SkyFi is hiring50:15 What else is interesting in the space sector?51:25 Sci-Fi

Space Business Podcast #118 - Sho Nakanose, Gitai: Space Robotics

Two words: space robotics. Gitai, founded in Japan and now headquartered in the U.S. wants to significantly bring down the cost of labor in space -in orbit, on space stations, on the Moon, even on Mars- with its robotic technology. My guest is Gitai’s founder & CEO, Sho Nakanose.
Gitai website (incl. careers): https://gitai.tech/
Follow us:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/podcast_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen/
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/raphael_space/
Learn more about space & the space economy:
SPACE ECONOMY BOOK: Raphael's fully revised introductory book on the Space economy, "To Infinity" - https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
Check out the edX/EPFL Space Economy MOOC: https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-economy
Upcoming newsletter - sign up: https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
The Space Business Podcast is sponsored by NanoAvionics.
Timestamps0:00 Intro2:31 Elevator Pitch3:50 Gitai's origin story6:18 Pitching the company 7 years ago9:08 Shifting perceptions11:13 Gitai's products13:50 Engineering approach19:12 Use cases24:50 Customers26:40 First lunar use case28:00 First lunar demonstration30:07 Next major milestones32:35 Business model33:45 Vision for the Company35:00 Cost target36:45 Future missions38:45 Mass production & supply chain41:25 Humanoid robots45:25 Terrestrial business options48:40 Gitai is hiring!50:00 What else is interesting in the space sector51:38 Sci Fi

2024 in Space - Preview

This is our annual preview episode, about some of the key things which may happen in the space sector in 2024.
Follow us:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/podcast_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen/
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/raphael_space/
Learn more about space & the space economy:
SPACE ECONOMY BOOK: Raphael's fully revised introductory book on the Space economy, "To Infinity" - https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
Check out the edX/EPFL Space Economy MOOC: https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-economy
Upcoming newsletter - sign up: https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
The Space Business Podcast is sponsored by NanoAvionics.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro1:40 Preview episode initial remarks2:27 Launch10:07 Spacecraft10:43 Human spaceflight14:12 Lunar15:55 Science17:17 Government18:05 Satellite Communications18:48 Earth Observation19:20 OSAM20:44 Finance and Funding24:00 Events and Education24:58 Poll on most exciting space events in 2024

Space Business Podcast #117 - Jessica Frick, Stanford XLab, In-Space Manufacturing of Advanced Materials

In-space manufacturing is what we are discussing in this episode, and we have a really cool and qualified guest: Jessica Frick is a researcher at Stanford’s XLab, the extreme environment microsystems lab. They recently held a workshop on semiconductor manufacturing in microgravity, just published a white paper about it (linked below), and are now setting up an institute focused on manufacturing advanced materials in microgravity. Enjoy!
The Institute for In-Space Manufacturing of Advanced Materials
https://rb.gy/b4661j
White paper: Semiconductor Manufacturing in Low-Earth Orbit for Terrestrial Use
https://osf.io/preprints/osf/d6ar4
Follow us:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/podcast_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen/
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/raphael_space/
Learn more about space & the space economy:
SPACE ECONOMY BOOK: Raphael's fully revised introductory book on the Space economy, "To Infinity" - https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
Check out the edX/EPFL Space Economy MOOC: https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-economy
Upcoming newsletter - sign up: https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
The Space Business Podcast is sponsored by NanoAvionics.
Timestamps:0:00 Intro2:20 Intro to XLab & Jessica4:37 Jessica's origin story & motivation8:54 Semiconductor manufacturing primer14:15 In-space manufacturing for Earth15:58 Which part of semi manufacturing makes sense to do in space17:30 Advantages of microgravity 18:50 Could it be done on Earth?20:25 Advantages of microgravity (cont'd)26:20 Semiconductor materials besides silicon28:50 Why larger crystals are better35:45 Why now?38:45 Safety & astronaut intervention40:30 Microgravity platforms besides the ISS41:40 Importance of subject matter expertise45:00 Origin of the idea for the new institute54:55 Current ISS equipment55:55 The Institute for In-Space Manufacturing of Advanced Materials1:02:00 How to get involved1:04:25 Sci-fi

Space Business Podcast #116 - Omar Qaise, OQ Technology: Satellite IoT

Satellite IoT, or internet of things – we have another episode on this topic. Which devices or machines can we connect via satellite communications, how and why? Our guest is Omar Qaise, the founder & CEO of Luxembourg-based OQ Technology, a prominent satellite IoT startup that has already several satellites in orbit. Enjoy!
Follow us:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/podcast_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen/
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/raphael_space/
Learn more about space & the space economy:
SPACE ECONOMY BOOK: Raphael's fully revised introductory book on the Space economy, "To Infinity" - https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
Check out the edX/EPFL Space Economy MOOC: https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-economy
Upcoming newsletter - sign up: https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
The Space Business Podcast is sponsored by NanoAvionics.
Timestamps:0:00 Intro2:19 Elevator Pitch3:33 Devices outside of coverage that would benefit6:33 How are people monitoring such devices right now?8:01 Cost10:55 Working with off the shelf hardware12:33 Regulations15:27 Go to market18:48 Energy specific use cases19:56 Go to market: push vs. pull21:14 Coverage and constellation size22:13 Lower latency use cases23:57 Types of satellite24:55 Direct to device vs direct to mobile26:12 Receivers28:20 Wearables30:04 Cybersecurity32:26 Most exciting future use cases36:10 Future of the satellite IoT market42:03 Origin story44:08 Vision for the OQ45:10 The Space Ecosystem in Luxemburg47:10 Saudi Arabia49:15 What else is exciting in the space sector?51:12 Sci-Fi

Space Business Podcast #115 - Dorit Donoviel, TRISH: Space Health

Space & bio – we finally have the 2nd episode in our subseries on this topic. Dorit Donoviel is the Director of the Translational Research Institute for Space Health. TRISH is an institute that is cooperating with NASA and conducting a fascinating range of research regarding human health in space. Our discussion touches on many topics, ranging from challenges to human physiology in microgravity all the way to the question of whether we can use gene editing to adapt ourselves to the space environment. Enjoy!
SPACE ECONOMY BOOK: Raphael's fully revised introductory book on the Space economy, "To Infinity" - https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
Upcoming newsletter - sign up: https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
Follow us:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/podcast_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen/
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/raphael_space/
Learn more about space & the space economy:
Check out the edX/EPFL Space Economy MOOC: https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-economy
The Space Business Podcast is sponsored by NanoAvionics.
Support us at https://www.patreon.com/spacebusinesspodcast
Timestamps0:00 Intro2:35 TRISH3:50 Staying healthy in space7:36 Health concerns in microgravity12:07 Eye and brain issues13:40 Artificial gravity15:40 Licensing18:46 Moon & Mars22:50 Medical equipment and treatment in space27:00 Surgery29:22 Positive effects in space33:03 Longevity in space34:50 Gene editing39:28 Reproduction in space43:33 Research projects if more funding was available45:23 Food production47:31 Astronaut health monitoring50:00 Beyond R&D53:55 Organ-on-chip models56:33 How one can get involved in TRISH1:00:17 Sci-fi

Space Business Podcast #114 - Andrew Nutter, Gama Space: Light Sails

Light sails – really thin sails that are propelled by photons flying around in space – have been proposed as an alternative propulsion method to travel the cosmos for a long time. Now, there is a startup company in France working to commercialize them. Their co-founder & CEO, Andrew Nutter, is our guest this week. Enjoy!
SPACE ECONOMY BOOK: Raphael's fully revised introductory book on the Space economy, "To Infinity" - https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
Upcoming newsletter - sign up: https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
Follow us:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/podcast_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen/
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/raphael_space/
Learn more about space & the space economy:
Check out the edX/EPFL Space Economy MOOC: https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-economy
The Space Business Podcast is sponsored by NanoAvionics.
Support us at https://www.patreon.com/spacebusinesspodcast
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro2:01 Elevator pitch2:49 Origin story4:22 History of light sails8:59 Planetary Society mission11:12 Folding the sail14:20 Hazards in space16:04 Further specs of Gama's sail17:56 Velocity and Acceleration Specs22:23 Oumuamua24:01 Use cases30:16 Dragsail application34:41 GTM & missions37:51 Deep space demonstration39:25 Timeline & long term vision for the company42:24 Business Model45:35 What else is interesting in space?47:30 Sci-Fi

Space Business Podcast #113 - Giovanni Pandolfi, Leaf Space: Satellite Ground Segment

The ground segment for satellites is obviously an important part of the space ecosystem. Giovanni Pandolfi is a co-founder of LeafSpace, one of the prominent startups in this field.  https://leaf.space/
Enjoy!
SPACE ECONOMY BOOK: Raphael's fully revised introductory book on the Space economy, "To Infinity" - https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
Upcoming newsletter - sign up: https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
Follow us:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/podcast_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen/
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/raphael_space/
Learn more about space & the space economy:
Check out the edX/EPFL Space Economy MOOC: https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-economy
The Space Business Podcast is sponsored by NanoAvionics.
Support us at https://www.patreon.com/spacebusinesspodcast
Timestamps0:00 Intro2:05 Elevator Pitch3:09 Leafspace's origin story6:04 Finding a business opportunity in the space sector8:22 Biggest challenges starting straight out of university11:30 First commercial push12:51 Initial approach16:10 Not being held back by the legacy way of doing things17:30 Antenna building vs. buying19:00 Product & customer experience22:01 Kinds of applications that Leaf Space can support25:05 AWS30:13 Ten-year vision for Leaf Space32:45 Vision for the broader ground segment sector37:08 Frequency bands40:03 What else in space is interesting?41:30 Sci-Fi

Space Business Podcast #112 - Tushar Jadhav, Manastu Space: In-Space Propulsion

India's space sector is really blasting off (pun intended!). Among other things, the country just became only the fourth one to soft land on the Moon. So it's only fitting that we'll have more Indian space companies and people as guests. Our first one is Tushar Jadhav, founder and CEO of Manastu Space, a propulsion startup from Mumbai that recently announced a $3MM financing round (for full disclosure, E2MC, the space VC fund where Raphael is a partner, is an investor in that round). Please enjoy hearing about Manastu and space in India!
SPACE ECONOMY BOOK: Raphael's fully revised introductory book on the Space economy, "To Infinity" - https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
Upcoming newsletter - sign up: https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
Follow us:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/podcast_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen/
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/raphael_space/
Learn more about space & the space economy:
Check out the edX/EPFL Space Economy MOOC: https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-economy
The Space Business Podcast is sponsored by NanoAvionics.
Support us at https://www.patreon.com/spacebusinesspodcast
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro3:14 Elevator pitch3:55 Green satellite propultion9:20 Why was hydrazine originally chosen?11:15  The current system15:09 Hydrogen peroxide18:31 Chemical propulsion vs electrical propulsion 23:01 Manastu's product & business model25:45 In-orbit demonstration26:27 Main customer group27:26 Export control28:23 Scaling up & adding on services30:52 Vision for the company31:45 Origin story35:38 Indian Space Ecosystem44:16 What's next?46:15 Sci-fi
 

Space Business Podcast #111 - Loren Grush: The Six - The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts

My guest this week is Loren Grush. You may know her already as a space journalist, currently at Bloomberg and previously at The Verge. She also just published a book: “The Six” is telling the story of America’s first women astronauts - and that is what we’re talking about in this episode. Enjoy!
Loren's book "The Six": https://www.simonandschuster.biz/books/The-Six/Loren-Grush/9781982172800
SPACE ECONOMY BOOK: Raphael's fully revised introductory book on the Space economy, "To Infinity" - https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
Upcoming newsletter - sign up: https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
Follow us:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/podcast_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen/
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/raphael_space/
Learn more about space & the space economy:
Check out the edX/EPFL Space Economy MOOC: https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-economy
The Space Business Podcast is sponsored by NanoAvionics.
Support us at https://www.patreon.com/spacebusinesspodcast
Timestamps:0:00 Intro2:00 Loren's background2:53 Being a NASA kid6:24 Support from the community7:50 Loren's new book9:02 Why this topic?10:45 Challenges of women in the space sector16:00 The Mercury 1318:00 Surprising findings in research for the book19:17 Competitiveness among The Six22:20 A favorite one?23:50 Legacy of The Six25:21 Normalizing women in space29:17 Female Astronauts32:44 International Female Astronauts34:10 Future books36:17 How can we improve the gender imbalance in the space sector?40:23 Final message for women looking to join the space sector