Understanding Space for New Mission Systems and Applications Developers

February 4th, Afternoon

1:30 pm – 5:00 pm 

This workshop is aimed at those new to the space domain, or those specialists wanting a broader understanding, who may be looking to develop businesses, applications or services based on satellite solutions.   This fast-paced workshop provides the essentials all space entrepreneurs need to know.  That advantages of space are highlighted along with the unique challenges of the space environment that can often make missions costly and time consuming to develop.  Focus is on key issues that drive  technical design, program implementation, regulatory requirements and business plans.

At the end of the workshop the participants will be able to appreciate why space is the ideal domain for many applications and services, the uniqueness of the environment, the benefits and the challenges.  Understand the technical, programmatic, regulatory, and business drivers, considerations and constraints.  Assess whether a space based solutions is suited to their own business, application or service idea, identify areas that need further attention and formulate an action plan to transition their idea into a reality.

 

WORKSHOP LEADER

John Paffett

Managing Director

KISPE Ltd

SPEAKER

Anita Bernie

KISPE Space Systems Ltd

SPEAKER

Dr. Wiley Larson

Teaching Science and Technology Inc

SPEAKER

Dr. Peter Van Wirt

Teaching Science and Technology Inc

Earth Observation – Emerging Trends in Data Processing and Analysis

February 4th, Afternoon

1:30 pm – 5:00 pm 

Geospatial Data is being produced at a prodigious pace. Rendering reams of data into a form that can be sold will be a deal maker/breaker. The focus on how data is received, then improved in post-processing to meet standards is very important. For instance the application of satellite data to weather analysis with numerical weather prediction is not without problems. There will be discussion on the latest in change detection algorithms and how to manipulate data from SmallSats and other big data sources with “Artificial Intelligence” and “Machine Learning”. Numerous large-area, multiple image-based possibilities exist and small satellites are ideally suited to provide fast accurate data on an almost real time basis. The objective of this workshop is to review and assess the type of data received and to cover classification approaches. The goal is to also identify the best techniques that are available to derive actionable insights for decision clarity. We will examine the economies involved not only in gathering this data but what the market will pay for the information. What is the market size of data, value-added services, information products, and Big Data analytics by vertical, region, and resolution? Which markets are drawing high resolution SAR imagery users? In what ways can the same data be sold to different customers.

 

WORKSHOP LEADER

Dr. Joe Thurgood

Vice President Corporate Development and Marketing

Hera Systems

SPEAKER

Mike Bergen

Director of Partnerships and Alliances

Orbital Insight

SPEAKER

Joe Flasher

Open Geospatial Data Lead

Amazon Web Services

SPEAKER

Christopher A. Lentz

Systems Engineering & Integration Fellow

Lockheed Martin Space - Commercial Civil Space

SPEAKER

Rafal Modrzewski

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

ICEYE

On-orbit Propulsion Systems & Stability Control

February 4th, Morning

9:00 am – 12:30 pm 

On-orbit propulsion systems are essential to the continuous operation of many smallsats. An overview of key design drivers, operational considerations and performance characteristics is important. Despite their differences in design, functionality, and purpose, most smallsats adhere to a common set of interface requirements along with key operational requirements. There are a wide variety of methods for satisfying these requirements as well as the seamless integration necessary.

 

Workshop Leader

Natalya Bailey

CEO

Accion Systems

SPEAKER

Ane Aanesland

President and CEO

ThrustMe

SPEAKER

Jim Behmer

Director of Sales and Government Affairs

Phase Four, Inc.

SPEAKER

Dr. David Krejci

CTO

Enpulsion

SmallSat Financial Considerations

February 4th, Afternoon

1:30 pm – 5:00 pm 

Investment in small satellite ventures originates from a variety of avenues including angel investors, venture funds, private equity firms, corporations, commercial banks, government and public markets. How do the varying demands of each of these sources of finance affect small satellite operations and planning? What are their expected returns and financing terms.

Does private equity activity or debt financing play much of a role in funding SmallSat operations and what effect does this have on management behavior?  Making the business case close is essential and hence how to structure your offering and present your leadership and partner options are important factors.  

The focus will be on different financial models and how operations including the overall positioning, level of vertical integration and cooperation with other industry stakeholders add to the value chain. What is the optimal way to secure capital for the startup phase of a SmallSat venture?

We will discuss what are the expected returns and financing terms and prospects for the short to middle term. Recently the industry has experienced sustained investments in new systems and more private equity activity focused on some of the larger players. Panelists will discuss how investors perceive the satellite industry. We will focus on different financial models and how operations including the overall positioning, level of vertical integration and cooperation with other industry stakeholders add to the value chain. What is the optimal way to secure capital for the startup phase of a venture and how does this differ from ongoing operations funding? Beyond the first funding round, how will investors approach adding capital to a maturing venture? What is the past and present performance of the sector and what are the current and expected trends for industry consolidation and M&A transactions? 

This workshop will also discuss the many nuances of pricing in the industry today, including developments of contract length, bargaining power of key customers, and most importantly, the bottom line of how much is being paid per MHz/Mbps, and how this has evolved. We aim to pry open the industry's most closely-guarded secrets just a little bit to shed light on the most fundamental financial metric of any industry – what is the product or service worth.

 

Workshop Leader

William Jefferson Black

Managing Director & Publisher

Finance Information Group

SPEAKER

Brandon Farwell

Partner

Xfund

SPEAKER

Rob Call

Director Business Development, Satellite Management Services

SSC Space US, Inc.

SPEAKER

Tess Hatch

Investor

Bessemer Venture Partners

Earth Observation – Market Trends and Emerging Technologies

February 4th, Morning

9:00 am – 12:30 pm 

What is the future of the observation market in terms of technology, platforms, standards and services? From the many applications such as forecasting weather, mapping, tracking biodiversity and wildlife trends, measuring land-use change (such as deforestation), urban development, monitoring and responding to natural disasters, managing natural resources, such as energy, freshwater and agriculture, addressing public health, maritime safety and lastly but very importantly military observation and monitoring, smallsats provide an opportunity to observe our planet in considerable detail. What smallsats bring to these marketplaces will be discussed in detail.   Given that the four major players at the moment, Planet, DigitalGlobe, Spire and BlackSky, are constellations, in what applications are constellations essential.   What are the useful functions that independent smaller observation platforms can serve?   What are the main observation operators’ market share by vertical and by region and how will pricing of imagery evolve by type and by resolution? What model for data purchase will dominate and how are downstream players changing the way imagery is bought and sold?

 

WORKSHOP LEADER

Adam Keith

Affiliate Principal Advisor

Euroconsult Canada

SPEAKER

Dan Ceperley

Founder & CEO

LeoLabs

SPEAKER

Tahara Dawkins

Director, Commercial Remote Sensing, Regulatory Affairs Office

NOAA - National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

SPEAKER

Wade Larson

Founder and Executive Vice-President Business Development

Urthecast