By Chris Forrester
Miguel Valero (Managing Director, Space Strategies LLC) moderated this session at the SmallSat Europe event in Amsterdam on May 28.
Richard Adams (Sales Director, Bright Ascension). Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Bright Ascension supplies Mission Control software and Flight software. More than 50 space missions in its output. The enquiries that come to us tend to be focused on Earth observation, including famine and risk, disaster and climate change. He also flagged up the choices that would need to be made when considering partnering with another company. “Working on your own is challenging, but focus, not distraction, is key.” There were also problems in building hardware, and in particular dealing with component suppliers, when scaling up a service.
Adams added that software and hardware working together was obviously crucial. But the hardware has to work as specified, and while the hardware – and software – could be upgraded in orbit, this required thorough testing.
Thys Cronje (CCO, Simera Sense). Belgium HQ’d Simera Sense is a leading provider of optical payloads for small satellites. The company is a supplier of optical payloads in the international small satellite market with the bulk of its manufacturing taking place in South Africa. Cronje explained that there had been a significant increase in enquiries for optical and Earth observation activity. “My advice for new entrants would be to identify that niche in the market. This isn’t easy, of course!”
Cronje also talked about some US budget cuts, not least in Weather Data, and this has created opportunities in the sector.
Stephen McCall (Founding Partner, Cislunar International). Cislunar is a recognized leader in defense, aerospace, and government affairs. “There is the new $175 billion proposal out of the US for its Golden Dome scheme. If this plan passes, and you have a product that could fit within the Golden Dome brief, then get involved.” But he advised that it was crucial to be specific as to what your business or technology could offer. But the Golden Dome cash, probably to be funded in 2026, is now definitely on the radar.