Newspacevision

In this episode of the NSV Podcast, we sit down with Lukas Werling, co-founder & CEO of InSpacePropulsion Technologies, or ISP Tech, a German startup building non-toxic chemical propulsion systems for satellites and spacecraft.After more than a decade at DLR’s rocket engine test site in Lampoldshausen, Lukas spun out ISP Tech to commercialize advanced green propulsion technology. We discuss:The journey from research scientist to founderHow to spin out of a major research institutionChemical vs. electric propulsionWhy agility in orbit is becoming criticalEurope’s funding environment for deep techISP Tech is building the mobility layer of space, enabling satellites to move precisely, responsively, and safely in an increasingly crowded orbit.

Europe talks about space sovereignty.Sovereignty is built with capital.On the latest episode of the podcast, investor Filip Kocian joins us to unpack the financial infrastructure behind Europe’s space ambitions - and why funding decisions today will define the industry’s future.Space is no longer niche. It’s industrial strategy, defense, and economic resilience rolled into one... yet capital markets still struggle to match the scale of those goals.In our conversation, Filip explains:

What if you could take the temperature of the entire planet - accurately, continuously, and in high resolution?In this episode, we sit down with Max Gulde, co-founder & CEO of Constellr, whose team is launching a global thermal intelligence layer powered by microsatellites. Their goal: unlock new capabilities across agriculture, defense, urban planning, climate resilience, and beyond.Max shares the unfiltered story behind Constellr’s rise - from ISS payload fiascos and 14 failed grant applications, to two successful satellite launches and major governmental partnerships. Along the way, he breaks down why thermal is the most underrated data source in Earth observation, and why accuracy (not just resolution) is the real game-changer.We also dive into:

What goes up must come down - but in Europe, nothing comes back from space. That’s the problem Sebastian Klaus, co-founder & CEO of Atmos Space Cargo, set out to solve.After a career that spanned aerospace engineering, special forces missions, and a commercial pilot’s license, Sebastian is now leading a team building reentry capsules with inflatable heat shields - a technology that sounds like sci-fi but is already flying.Atmos aims to return anything from orbit: biomedicine experiments, 3D-printed tissues, semiconductors, quantum materials , even strategic supplies. With a successful first flight under their belt, they’re positioning themselves as Europe’s answer to Dragon and Starship, but with a lighter, modular approach.In this episode, we cover:

Most satellites see the Earth in two dimensions. But what if we could measure not just the surface, but the height and volume of what covers it - forests, crops, even infrastructure? That’s the mission of KappaZeta, an Estonian startup building a 3D Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) constellation that could transform how we monitor our planet.In this episode, we sit down with Martin Jüssi, Space Mission Manager at KappaZeta, who takes us on a journey from tinkering with map editors in video games to leading a groundbreaking space mission. We unpack how KappaZeta is turning Europe’s Sentinel-1 satellites into a new kind of forest-monitoring powerhouse, why 3D data is the missing piece for carbon markets, and how Estonia built one of the most dynamic space ecosystems in Europe.We also dive into:

Most VCs don’t grow up dreaming about corner offices. Bogdan Gogulan did - and he got one, or close enough. Starting as an analyst climbing the corporate finance ladder, Bogdan’s journey to becoming CEO of a space-focused venture capital firm is nothing short of impressive. In this episode , he opens up about how the space industry surprised him, why switching from back-office brilliance to front-line dealmaking meant more than just a career pivot, and how his roots in the defense world helped shape his investment philosophy.Today, as CEO and managing partner at NewSpace Capital, Bogdan is one of the few investors playing squarely in space’s “valley of death” - the messy middle between early-stage promise and actual scale. We talk about why this growth stage is so brutal, how his team identifies the global category leaders worth betting on, and what it really takes for founders to make the leap from scrappy startup to international force. We also explore why space investment is no longer about “selling the dr

Check out what GLOBBLE looks like here: https://www.stellar.tc/pages/globbleThe future of mobility isn’t just electric—it’s connected. And as autonomous and software-defined vehicles take over the roads, seamless connectivity will be as essential as the engines themselves. But how do you ensure perfect, uninterrupted internet for cars, trucks, and trains moving across vastly different terrains? Enter Stellar, the startup building a bridge between terrestrial and satellite networks to keep vehicles online—everywhere.In this episode, we sit down with Damien Garot, CEO and co-founder of Stellar, who brings decades of experience from OneWeb, Eutelsat, and Thales Alenia Space (previously Alcatel). Damien breaks down why the car industry is now in an arms race for connectivity, how SpaceX's Starlink advantage is shaking up legacy automakers, and why space-based networks will be a game-changer for autonomous driving, fleet management, and beyond.We also explore:

Building a space company is hard - but doing so at 21 is just another level. Shoaib Iqbal started Esper Satellite Imagery while still in college, and in just a few years, he’s built one of the most capital-efficient hyperspectral satellite companies out there. In this episode, Shoaib joins us to share what it’s really like to start and scale a satellite business from scratch, talking about the surprising ways hyperspectral imaging is being used today and how Esper differentiates from competitors. Similar to our last guests, he also touches on what happened when their first satellite failed, as well as why cost efficiency is the real game-changer in this field. Follow Shoaib and Esper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoaib-esper https://www.linkedin.com/company/esper-sats https://www.espersatellites.co Follow NewSpaceVision: https://de.linkedin.com/company/newspacevision https://twitter.com/newspacevision https://www.instagram.com/newspacevision/ https://www.facebook.com/newspacevision/ https://www.meetup.com/

Before SpaceX was SpaceX—before reusable rockets landed on drone ships or astronauts flew aboard privately built spacecraft—it was just an idea. And Hans Koenigsmann was there when that idea took shape. Interviewed by Elon Musk in his living room and brought on as SpaceX’s fourth technical hire, Hans was a cornerstone of the team that turned an audacious dream into a company that now dominates the launch industry. From assembling avionics systems with a credit card budget to solving the mysteries of rocket anomalies, Hans’s fingerprints are all over the milestones that redefined space exploration. In this episode, he takes us back to the scrappy, electric early days of SpaceX, where desks were doors and failures were inevitable—but never final. He shares how his German engineering roots collided with California’s startup chaos, the art of managing risk when lives and millions of dollars are on the line, and what it feels like to lead through moments of triumph and catastrophe. We also dive into the future of

What does it take to build a revolutionary Earth observation company, weather the failure of a flagship satellite, and emerge stronger than ever? Anthony Baker, CEO and co-founder of SatVu, joins us for an inspiring and deeply insightful episode of the New Space Vision podcast to share his journey. Anthony’s career spans over 35 years in the space industry, including pivotal roles in regulatory bodies, NATO, and various startups across the globe. In this episode, we explore the genesis of SatVu, which is poised to redefine thermal satellite imaging. With applications ranging from industrial monitoring and national defense to combating climate change, SatVu’s high-resolution thermal satellites offer unparalleled insights into activity patterns across the globe. But the road hasn’t been easy. Anthony recounts the emotional highs of launching their first satellite and the crushing reality of its unexpected failure. In an admirable testament to resilience, SatVu rebounded with innovative product development, enha

In this episode, Sven and Daniel interview Aakash from Pixxel, a company that is launching a constellation of the world’s highest resolution hyperspectral satellites. Aakash shares his journey into the space industry and explains the importance of hyperspectral data in monitoring and analyzing various vital indicators on Earth. He discusses the challenges of selling a product that is still in development and the need for customer education. Aakash also highlights the unique culture and collaborative nature of the space industry. The conversation covers topics such as the differentiation of hyperspectral data from multispectral data and the future impact of hyperspectral data on Earth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast 05:34 Selling a Product in the Space Industry 10:01 The Culture and Collaboration in the Space Industry 16:05 Advancements in Hyperspectral Technology 24:43 Specialization and Differentiation in the Earth Observation Industry 32:23 Market Development in India 36:20 Data Dow

Bulent Altan, founder of Alpine Space Ventures and former VP at SpaceX, shares his journey in the space industry and provides insights into the evolving space ecosystem. He emphasizes the importance of quick decision-making and the need for companies to focus on commercialization of services and products. Altan discusses the growth of the European VC market in space and highlights the potential for European companies to become global leaders. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities in the Earth observation industry, including cost reduction and the role of large satellites. Altan shares his contrarian view on the space industry, advocating for investment in satellite and component builders. In this conversation, Bülent Altan discusses the use of carbon composite materials in various industries, including aerospace and automotive. He explains the advantages and challenges of manufacturing carbon composites and highlights their applications in lightweight and high-performance structures. Altan also s

This week, we’re proud to feature a unique story. Our guest interned at both Blue Origin and SpaceX in the early 2000s, later becoming Skybox’s (now Planet Labs' Terra Bella) 3rd employee, after his professor encouraged the would-be founders to start the company following a university competition. It’s not surprising he’s been at the forefront of space innovation, considering he's been passionate about space since the age of six, citing an obsession with rockets. “I probably scared my mom to death many times, blowing stuff up in the garage, trying to mix rocket fuels and launch things.” If you guessed Jonny Dyer, you were right. Consistently at the forefront of space innovation, Jonny is now the CEO of Muon Space, which is building satellites tailored for monitoring the climate on Earth. With their first launch in 2023 on SpaceX’s Transporter-8, and two more scheduled this year, Muon is poised to break barriers in satellite imaging as a whole. Our conversation spanned the length of Jonny’s career but

You don't really have to know Walter to pick up on the fact that he's a leader. When he arrived at our office for this episode, we hadn't given him the floor number. So, before our producer had time to offer him a welcome downstairs, Walter had already taken the elevator to the top and was methodically eliminating options as he descended. "I figured I'd eventually find the the right one this way." This decision-maker mindset was more than evident throughout our conversation with him - one of the most engaging we've had in a while. In a generous show of authenticity, Walter opened up about his life: the makings of his present self and the decisions that guided him, the genesis of his current company and its clichéd yet entirely reasonable inspiration, and his personal greivances with the disingenuous politics of the space sector. In this memorable episode, you'll learn about what it takes to run a space company, and what it feels like to "outstretch" one - and

Yuk’s succes was not simple - not unlike his journey. Yuk used to be an officer in the Singapore army, as the head of maintenence and recovery operations of its armored and track vehicles. “… It was a great honor and privilege… where else on Earth are you going to find a 21 year old reponsible for a 100 million dollar technology portfolio?” He then went on to go to law school & specialized in space, later joining a company that would use an electrodyanmic tether as a propulsion unit to station-keep in low earth orbit. But when that company went under, he used the reason for its failure to inspire a new venture: Charter. Charter is building Ubiks, a logisitics platform tailored to the process of building space systems. “It takes over the moment you’ve arrived at your initial stable design, and now you need to put the meat to the metal and actually build the thing.” Discover how Yuk got into space law following his position in the army, the challenges he faced in his first company, and how that led him to

Vice President of Engineering at Planet Labs, Kiruthika shares her transition from the precision-intensive environment of a radio astronomer to the dynamic realm of a startup, where she leads teams through the design of satellites' power, avionics, and communications sytems. She gives us a look into the unique world of satellite constellation management, and the Planet value of performance over density, as Planet CEO Will Marshall says. What makes Planet Labs stand out in the space industry? The answer lies in the company's "agile aerospace" philosophy and their strategic projects. Discover how Kiruthika and her team navigate the complexities of satellite systems, the impact of Planet's acquisitions, and the development of their constellations. We also explore current and future trends that are poised to redefine the satellite industry. Follow Kiruthika & Planet: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiruthikadevaraj/ https://www.planet.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/planet-labs/ htt

In this episode, we sat down with Philippe Raisin, co-founder and CTO of VIDA, which is changing the renewable energy sector with earth observation. Philippe shared his unique journey from a personal interest in renewable energy to the inception of VIDA, which was born out of a non-traditional background in EO. He gave an inside look into how VIDA is leveraging geospatial data to address global energy challenges, and the transformative role the technology plays in their mission. We delve into the intricacies of VIDA's work, discussing everything from the adoption and validation of satellite imagery to the hurdles of licensing, as well as the type of projects VIDA works on. Philippe offered valuable insights into the intersection of technology, renewable energy, and sustainable investment. Follow Philippe & VIDA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/praisin/ https://twitter.com/prraisin https://www.linkedin.com/company/vida-place/ https://www.vida.place/ Follow NewSpaceVision:  https://de.linkedin.com/compan

In this episode, our hosts sit down with a pioneering figure in the space legal sector who transitioned from telecom law to finding his place among the stars. Discover how a canceled internship and a rapid pivot led Dr. Baumann to Eutelsat, one of the leading players in satellite broadcasting, before journeying into the heart of the Cologne Institute of Air and Space Law. Following his academic foray, our guest found himself serving as a crucial part of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), first as an internal lawyer managing small projects before transitioning to the big leagues - working on major endeavors like Galileo and Copernicus. Listen as he recounts his decision to strike out on his own, developing a law firm with an out-of-this-world business plan that garnered an award and sprouted from the roots of his work at the DLR. Dr. Baumann delves into the intricacies of space law, dissecting the core treaties, national laws, and evolving technologies that present new legal challenges. He touches on historica

The sheer amount of data available from satellites enables us to solve some of the world’s most complex problems. Renaud Allioux was inspired by Planet to do just that when he left Airbus to co-found Preligens, an AI and intelligence company in the earth observation space, which he is now Chief Innovation Officer of. We spoke about Renaud’s journey, from working on exciting missions in physics and engineering at Airbus, to solving crucial problems in the defense industry. He also explained how the intelligence sector and its troves of data make it hard to keep up, and why building software can be more challenging than building a spaceship due to requiring a different mindset and business plan. Renaud gave us deep insights into what Preligens is doing, shared incredible stories from his career so far, and talked about the macro and micro perspective on EO. He shed light on why it’s so hard to break into the industry, the future of AI versus human analysis in defence, and how the private sector, contrary to pop

Our guest for this episode is LiveEO’s Michael Cruickshank, a former conflict journalist, who takes us on a journey through the world of open source intelligence (OSINT). From developing ship tracking software using satellite data to using algorithms for automated detection of burnt villages, he reveals how OSINT empowers truth-seekers in a conflict-ridden world. We delve into the origins of OSINT, its role in geospatial analysis (and vice versa), the risks faced by those in the field, and the potential impact of AI. Follow Michael: https://twitter.com/mj_cruickshank   Follow NewSpaceVision:  https://de.linkedin.com/company/newspacevision https://twitter.com/newspacevision https://www.instagram.com/newspacevision/ https://www.facebook.com/newspacevision/ https://www.meetup.com/de-DE/newspace/   This podcast was sponsored by LiveEO. For more information on how Earth observation can help your company, contact:  info@live-eo.com