The Satellite &NewSpace Matters Podcast

Join Millie Hall and Tom Wilding for an in-depth conversation with Mike-Alec Kearney, CEO and Co-Founder of CubeSpace, as he shares the story of building a globally recognised satellite subsystems company from university research.With more than a decade of flight heritage, CubeSpace has delivered over 4,600 standalone products and more than 470 mission-tailored systems to more than 290 customers across 30 countries. Its specialist focus on attitude determination and control systems has made CubeSpace a leader in the new space market.In this episode, Mike-Alec discusses three critical themes: his founding journey from accidental space engineer to obsessive problem-solver; CubeSpace’s strategic approach to vertical integration and why specialisation wins; and the company’s people-first culture shaped through servant leadership and vulnerability.Discover why organisations that tried doing everything themselves returned as customers, and how a decade of bootstrapping kept CubeSpace centred on customer needs. Mike-Alec offers candid insights on sustainable culture, operating without investor pressure, and the shift that happens when leaders show vulnerability.Key TopicsAccidental path into space entrepreneurshipWhy vertical integration is not always bestSpecialisation beats doing everything yourselfBootstrapped growth keeps customer focus sharpServant leadership creates sustainable teamworkVulnerability transforms defensive conversations into collaborationCulture requires intentional systems and daily practiceChapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:20 Mike-Alec’s Journey into the Space Industry04:35 Challenges and Growth at CubeSpace13:19 Leadership and Industry Insights23:30 Specialised Control Systems and Customisability25:39 Customer Support and Simulation Programs30:29 European Expansion and Strategic Goals33:42 Talent Management and Company CultureAbout Our GuestMike-Alec Kearney is the CEO and Co-Founder of CubeSpace, a leading provider of attitude determination and control systems for small satellites. Founded straight out of university, the company has grown into a multimillion pound, globally recognised supplier through bootstrapped, customer-led development. CubeSpace serves government agencies, high-tech R&D organisations, and commercial constellation operators worldwide.Website: www.cubespace.co.zaThe Satellite and NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.

Join hosts Annie Savage and Thomas Brownbill as they sit down with Robyn Ringuette, President at AstroForge – a Californian startup pioneering the extraction of valuable metals from asteroids to build a sustainable space-based supply chain.With more than 25 years of technical and managerial experience in aerospace, Robyn has helped lead some of the industry’s most ambitious programmes. From his early work as employee 72 at SpaceX, physically building Falcon 1 rocket engines shoulder to shoulder with technicians, to his leadership roles at Rocketdyne, Virgin Orbit, and GXO, he’s been at the forefront of turning high-risk concepts into operational reality.In this episode, Robyn shares his journey from a childhood fascination with space to shaping the future of deep space resource utilisation. He reflects on the emotional toll of early launch failures, the weight of responsibility in aerospace engineering, and how lessons from transitioning government programmes to commercial operations inform his approach at AstroForge today.Episode Highlights:The precarious early days at SpaceX and physically building Falcon 1Why space work demands serious responsibility beyond the excitementLessons learned from transitioning government programmes to commercial operationsThe difference between working at large aerospace companies vs startupsHiring strategy and building diverse teams in competitive marketsPractical advice on hardware redundancy and maintaining technological controlWhy Carl Sagan’s inspiration matters more than technical skills aloneChapters:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:15 Robyn’s Journey into the Space Industry05:50 Early Days at SpaceX14:10 Leadership Lessons and AstroForge’s Mission28:25 In-House Operations and Risk Mitigation29:10 Debunking the Magic of Space Exploration31:52 Big Companies vs. Small Startups36:56 Hiring Talent at AstroForgeAbout Our Guest:Robyn Ringuette is President of AstroForge, where he leads the company’s strategy, execution, and growth in deep space resource utilisation. With a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and additional programmes completed at the Moscow Aviation Institute and the University of Southern California, he brings a rare blend of technical depth and operational leadership. Robyn also serves on the boards of advisors for USC’s Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and ERAU’s College of Engineering.Website: https://www.astroforge.comThe Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that sources brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.

Join us as we explore how Michael Bartholomeusz, CEO of NOVI, is revolutionising the earth observation industry by making satellite data affordable and accessible to organisations and individuals worldwide.Throughout the episode, Michael shares his fascinating journey from working on the US Space Shuttle programme to leading a pioneering earth observation company. Key topics covered include:How NOVI's space edge computing reduces costs by two orders of magnitude - from £150,000 to just £1,500 for equivalent servicesThe innovative VISTA platform creating an open-access marketplace for earth observation applicationsWhy moving compute power to space is transforming the industry economicsBuilding NOVI's constellation of 40 smart satellites for daily global coverageThe potential for an "app store" model in satellite data servicesEthical considerations around democratised satellite surveillance capabilitiesListen along for valuable insights on building multidisciplinary teams in NewSpace, leadership lessons from diverse tech industries, and how NOVI's approach could unlock entirely new use cases for earth observation data across agriculture, logistics, maritime monitoring, and beyond.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:33 Meet Michael Bar, CEO of Novi01:50 Michael's Journey into the Space Industry03:47 Career Highlights and Leadership Lessons10:15 Novi's Mission and Innovations21:17 Challenges and Ethical Considerations26:14 Talent and Culture at Novi33:47 Quickfire Round and ConclusionAbout our guest:Michael Bartholomeusz brings extensive experience as a global CEO and technology leader across multiple industries including advanced materials, electronics, renewables, and space. Having worked on the US Space Shuttle programme early in his career, he now leads NOVI in their mission to make earth observation data accessible through innovative space edge computing solutions.Website: https://www.novispace.ai/The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.

Join us as we explore how Bryan Dean, CEO and Co-Founder of Dragonfly Aerospace, is revolutionising earth observation through high-performance imaging satellites and payloads.Throughout the episode, Bryan shares his journey from working on European Space Agency projects to co-founding Dragonfly Aerospace in South Africa, explains how their optical imaging technology enables more efficient resource management, and discusses the technical challenges of capturing detailed imagery from orbit. He also offers valuable insights on the growth of the South African space industry and the company's approach to talent acquisition in an evolving market.Listen along for fascinating perspectives on how satellite imagery is supporting agriculture, forestry, and sustainability efforts, the future of multi-resolution observation systems, and advice for newcomers looking to enter the space industry.Chapters:00:01:15 - Bryan's path into the space industry00:04:12 - Dragonfly Aerospace's imaging technology focus00:08:04 - Applications and use cases in Africa and globally00:15:14 - Technical capabilities and resolution advancements00:22:26 - Satellite imagery partnerships and tiered observation systems00:28:51 - Current and future Dragonfly products00:31:10 - The South African space industry talent landscape00:41:14 - Company culture and international expansion00:52:59 - Advice for industry newcomersAbout our guest:Bryan Dean is an experienced electrical systems architect who participated in creating the ExoMars rover, Solar Orbital, and ELISA projects for the European Space Agency. In 2019, he co-founded Dragonfly Aerospace and raised funding to grow the company to over 100 employees who developed and launched a class-leading optical imaging satellite in just three years.Website: www.dragonflyaerospace.comThe Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.

Join us as we speak with Julian Fernandez, CEO and Co-founder of FOSSA Systems, about his remarkable journey from launching a satellite project on Reddit at age 15 to leading one of Europe's most prolific satellite operators.Throughout the episode, Julian shares how FOSSA Systems is revolutionising the satellite IoT industry through vertical integration and affordable connectivity solutions. He explains how the company has successfully launched 20 satellites to date, discusses their innovative use of LoRa technology to dramatically reduce costs, and outlines their vision for an 80-satellite network enabling global IoT connectivity.Julian also offers insights on building a diverse team, the challenges of scaling from an R&D startup to a commercial business, and the importance of creating technology that addresses genuine market needs while maintaining a passion-driven approach.Listen along for fascinating perspectives on democratising access to space, the future of satellite IoT connectivity, and how a teenager's Reddit post evolved into a groundbreaking NewSpace company.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts00:32 Meet Julian Fernandez: CEO and Co-Founder of Fossa Systems01:28 - Julian's Journey into the Space Industry03:59 - Launching the First Satellite: A Dream Realized05:37 - Balancing Youth and Ambition08:30 - The Birth and Growth of Fossa Systems12:19 - Challenges and Innovations in Satellite IoT23:13 - The Importance of Verticalization25:33 - Talent Acquisition and Company Culture31:59 - Quick Fire Questions and Final Advice34:26 - Conclusion and FarewellAbout our guest:Julian Fernandez is the CEO and Co-founder of FOSSA Systems, a Spanish and Portuguese scale-up that connects low-power IoT devices directly from space using LoRa technology. At just 17 years old, Julian founded FOSSA Systems after successfully launching the first Spanish PICO satellite (FOSSA SAT-1) at age 16, which began as a community project organised through Reddit. Under his leadership, FOSSA has launched 20 satellites since 2022 and positioned itself as the largest satellite operator in Spain. With experience in remote asset management, LoRa communications, IoT deployments and space infrastructure, Julian was recognised in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2022 for his groundbreaking work in democratising access to space and telecommunications.The ⁠Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast⁠ is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.

Join us as we discover how Audrey Schaffer, Vice President of Strategy and Policy at Slingshot Aerospace, is tackling the growing challenges of space sustainability through innovative AI solutions.Throughout the episode, Audrey shares her fascinating journey from childhood space enthusiast to aerospace engineering student to playing a key role in establishing the US Space Force. She explains how Slingshot's groundbreaking Agatha AI system helps detect anomalous behaviour in satellite constellations and discusses the urgent challenges of orbital debris and space traffic management.Listen along for valuable perspectives on transitioning between government and private sector roles, the diverse career paths available in the space industry, and practical advice for those looking to enter this exciting field. Audrey offers unique insights on international cooperation for space sustainability and the future of space domain awareness.Chapters:00:01:57 -- Audrey's childhood interest in space00:04:22 -- Diverse career paths in the space industry00:05:41 -- Transition from government to Slingshot Aerospace00:09:39 -- Establishing the US Space Force00:12:20 -- Evolution of space sustainability challenges00:18:04 -- The Agatha AI system for space monitoring00:21:56 -- Shaping space policy from the private sector00:23:33 -- Space domain awareness catalogues00:26:24 -- International space traffic management00:38:27 -- Career advice for the space industryAbout our guest:Audrey Schaffer is the Vice President of Strategy and Policy at Slingshot Aerospace, a leading business in space situational awareness dedicated to making space safer and more sustainable. Before joining the private sector, Audrey served in the US government for over 15 years, including as Director for Space Policy on the National Security Council staff, where she led efforts to establish the US Space Force and represented the US in negotiating the first-ever United Nations guidelines for space sustainability.The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.

Join us as we discover how Gaia Roncalli, Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Ecosmic, is tackling the growing issue of space debris through innovative software solutions.Throughout the episode, Gaia shares her journey from space engineering to entrepreneurship, explains how Ecosmic's SAFE system helps satellite operators navigate collision risks, and discusses the urgent challenges of space sustainability. She also offers valuable insights on building diverse teams in the space industry and the importance of representation in leadership positions.Listen along for fascinating perspectives on preventing the Kessler syndrome, reducing false collision alerts, and bringing innovation from other industries into the space sector.Chapters:00:01:34 - Gaia's path into the space industry00:05:37 - The founding of Ecosmic00:08:31 - SAFE: System to Avoid Fatal Events00:17:17 - Differentiators in the market00:21:07 - Space sustainability challenges00:34:44 - Creating a diverse workforce00:42:44 - Advice for industry newcomersAbout our guest:Gaia Roncalli is an award-winning space engineer with experience at Thales Alenia Space and ESA, specializing in space situational awareness. Recognized with the International Award for Women in Aerospace and Inspiring 50 Italy, she co-founded Ecosmic to develop cutting-edge technology for enhancing collision avoidance processes in space.Website: www.ecosmic.spaceThe Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.

Join us as we discover how Jaume Sanpera, the CEO and Co-Founder of Sateliot, is making his mission of universal IoT connectivity a reality through 5G.  Throughout the episode, Juame shared the story of starting Sateliot, where he plans to take the company in the future, and the applications for their IoT technology.  Listen along for some fascinating insights into the world of IoT.  The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below. neuco & neuco Executive Search

Discover the impact of gender imbalances in the aerospace sector with this week’s guest, Kammy Brun, the Managing Director of Simera Sense. Kammy also shared her experience of moving through corporate roles at Airbus and Skyfi, before founding her own consultancy.  Tune in to find out more about growing women’s roles in the aerospace industry.  The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below. neuco & neuco Executive Search

Get behind the scenes of Revolv with its Co-Founder and COO, Aleksander Fiuk. He joined us to share the exciting future plans the company is working on, as well as his founding story and passion behind the company.  Aleksander also touched on customer-focused SmallSat manufacturing, shedding light on the unique differences that have enabled Revolv to grow at such a rapid rate.  The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below. neuco & neuco Executive Search

How can you be sure you’re hiring the right person in an early-stage space company? In this episode, you can hear from Felix Motzki, the CTO of Reflex Aerospace, about his candidate screening methods and the impact they have on Reflex’s workforce.   Our conversation also touched on the state of the European space sector and the reason it’s falling behind American and Chinese markets.  Listen in for some fascinating insights into Reflex Aerospace’s latest developments.  The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below. neuco & neuco Executive Search

Explore the potential of lunar exploration with Darren Charrier, the Business Development Manager at KSAT Inc. Darren joined us to discuss the opportunities for resource collection, habitation and an independent economy on the moon in this episode.  He also touched on the importance of creating communication and supply infrastructure in order to enable genuine lunar exploration and settlement.  Tune in to hear about Darren’s passion-led entry into the space industry. The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below. neuco & neuco Executive Search

Explore the growing opportunities in the satellite industry with Tami Dias, the SVP Global Sales at ST Engineering iDirect. She joined us to share her experience of transitioning from the telecommunications sector into a Satellite & NewSpace role.  In this episode, she also touched on the benefits of driving diversity and inclusion across the satellite industry, suggesting that doing so has led to new advancements in both technology and applications within the space.  The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below. neuco & neuco Executive Search

Dive into the growing applications for Earth Observation satellites with Martina Löfqvist, the Head of Strategy & Partnerships at Picterra. She joined us to talk about the impact of legislation and commercialisation on the Earth Observation sector.  Martina also shared her insights on the candidate and skill shortages facing growing Earth Observation teams, including the importance of culture as a talent attraction strategy.  The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below. neuco & neuco Executive Search

Discover more about the links between space safety, sustainability, and regulations in this episode with Philip Hover-Smoot, the CEO of Scout Space. He explained the importance of scaling satellite systems in a way that promotes long-term viability and international cooperation.  He also talked about the importance of creating a culture of innovation in a satellite company to help secure a brighter future, both for the organisation and the industry as a whole.   The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below. neuco & neuco Executive Search

Explore the complexity of greenhouse gas monitoring with Jean-Francois Gauthier, the Senior Vice President of Strategy at GHGSat. He joined us to talk about the company’s advancements in the area, including the changing priorities of the industry and government.  We also touched on GHGSat’s growing team, and Jean-Francois’s approach to attracting more talent to the Earth Observation space.  The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below. neuco & neuco Executive Search

Sustainability is coming to the forefront of policy decisions in the space sector. To help us explore the topic, we invited Dr. Jur. Olga Stelmakh-Drescher, the Chief Policy, Legal and Government Relations Officer at Exolaunch, to join us for this episode of The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast.  Olga also spoke to us about ways we can create a skilled workforce of the future, as well as her advice for people entering the industry.  The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below.neuco & neuco Executive Search

Join us as we explore the world of commercial weather and observational data. This week, we spoke with Michael Hurowitz, the Founder and CEO of Weather Stream, about the financial and technical pressures on small businesses operating in a typically public sector space.  Michael also touched on the challenges and opportunities available in the weather and climate industry, as well as the complex balance between making data accessible and running a commercial enterprise.   The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below. neuco & neuco Executive Search

Explore the inner workings on an in-orbit satellite servicing, assembly and manufacturing company with Amin Chabi, the Founder & CEO of Lúnasa Space. In this episode, we also touched on the international licencing variations that can make launching innovative solutions like Lúnasa Space’s so difficult. Amin also spoke about the culture that’s responsible for his company’s success, including the Silicon Valley-inspired mindset that he and his team have adopted.  The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below. neuco & neuco Executive Search

Welcome to a special roundtable edition of The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast, with three special guests: Kelly Tobin, the Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at Intelsat Bettina Schaaf, the VP of Recruiting at Rivada Space Networks Bethan McAulay, the Head of Talent at Astroscale They joined us to discuss HR and talent topics from across the satellite and space industries, from cross-training external talent to tackling workforce reductions.  Tune in for an unforgettable episode! The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. To find out more about our sponsors, neuco and neuco Executive Search, follow the links below. neuco & neuco Executive Search