The Satellite &NewSpace Matters Podcast

The Satellite and NewSpace Matters Podcast
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A series of interviews with key leaders through the Satellite & NewSpace industry. All brought to you by the Satellite & NewSpace team at neuco a specialist global recruitment and executive search firm.

  1. 15H AGO

    The Future of Space Communications | SES Payload Engineer Miquel Albiol

    Miquel Albiol takes us deep into payload innovation at SES, from digital beamforming technology enabling LEO-to-MIO data relay to the challenges of flying 5G base stations in space. He discusses how RF system requirements evolve across orbital regimes, the importance of engineers focusing on ultimate customer value, and exciting developments in optical communications, AI on-board processing, and software-defined satellites. This episode offers a technical deep-dive into the future of space communications.  Key Topics Covered  Digital beamforming breakthrough: Enabling LEO-to-MIO data relay for customer data 5G in space: The challenge of flying 5G base stations on every satellite RF evolution: How getting closer to Earth shifts focus from amplification to spectrum management Optical communications: Introducing hundreds of gigabits per second data transport in space Career advice: Don't focus excessively on standards - challenge them when they don't serve customer value Memorable Quotes "Last week we performed the first contact of LEO-MIO data relay. Our customer data is flying on board the LEO satellite and downloading through MIO to ground. That's possible thanks to digital beamforming technology."  "The best engineers never lose focus of the ultimate objective: providing good service and maximizing value to your customers. Always challenge the requirements thinking about the ultimate objective."  "Don't focus too much on meeting standards and following the rules. Use standards if they benefit you and the customer. In traditional space, meeting standards was maxima. If I had challenged that more, I would have delivered better products faster."  About the Guest Miquel Albiol leads Space Systems and Payload Development at SES, where he's pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space communications. His expertise spans RF systems, digital beamforming, optical communications, and software-defined satellites. Miquel is passionate about challenging traditional aerospace standards when they don't serve ultimate customer objectives. He finds his happy place along the Mediterranean coast - Spain, France, Italy, or Greece - and enjoys Spanish music, particularly Arrutina.

    14 min

  2. FEB 27

    Program Planning in New Space: Risk, Agility & Team Empowerment with SES

    In the third instalment of Forward Focus: The Future of SES, we speak with Alberto Patrizi, who shares insights on program planning in the new space era. With a wealth of experience across traditional and modern space programs, he explores how agile methodologies and visual management techniques are transforming project delivery at SES. This episode dives into risk management, team empowerment, and the entrepreneurial mindset needed to succeed in fast-paced space environments. Key Topics Covered: ●     Agile project management in space: Moving from rigid work breakdown structures to empowered macro-area teams ●     Visual management techniques: Using war rooms and post-it timelines to drive accountability ●     Risk mitigation strategies: Making risk management everyone's responsibility, not just the PM's job ●     Collaborative design approach: Sharing needs instead of requirements with suppliers and subsystem teams ●     Leadership qualities: Balancing entrepreneurial drive with active listening and team empowerment Memorable Quotes: "The team feel protagonist, rather than just an actor.They feel much more engaged." "Mistakes are an opportunity. When risks occur, it's notreally a failure, it is a lesson learned." "A very good project manager is the one who is able toput the team in the best condition to deliver." About the guest: Alberto Patrizi is a Technical Program Manager at SES withextensive experience in both traditional and new space programs. His career spans aerospace and space systems, where he's developed expertise in agile project management, risk mitigation, and team leadership. Alberto is passionateabout empowering teams and creating environments where innovation thrives. Outside of work, he enjoys golf and values time with his family.

    18 min

  3. FEB 20

    How K2 Space Is Breaking the Satellite Cost Curve | Neel Kunjur

    Neel Kunjur, Co-founder and CTO of K2 Space, reveals how his company is breaking the historic correlation between satellite mass and cost. In this episode, he shares K2's engineering philosophy of using mass as an opportunity rather than a constraint, the importance of iteration in constellation deployment, and why SES's pioneering approach to MEO operations makes them the perfect partner. Plus, hear the remarkable story of how his space career hinged on an SES launch. Key Topics Covered: - Breaking the mass-cost paradigm: How K2 enables large, capable satellites at small satellite prices - Engineering mindset shift: Viewing mass as an opportunity to simplify rather than a constraint to minimize - Iteration philosophy: Moving from decadal to annual deployment cadence for continuous improvement - SES innovation history: First major operator to adopt Falcon 9, first to commit to MEO operations - Leadership lessons: The importance of finding ground truth and staying connected to product details Memorable Quotes: "We think customers shouldn't have to choose. We think large sats that are low cost is the new regime we should be playing in." "The way you're able to do this is by a complete mindset shift. Start viewing mass as an opportunity. Use mass to make heavier systems that are simpler, easier to produce, faster to produce." "My entire space career was hinging on that launch. SES-8 on Falcon 9 was their first launch, and I'm so grateful to SES because that's why I'm here today." About the Guest: Neel Kunjur is Co-founder and CTO of K2 Space, a company revolutionising satellite manufacturing by breaking the traditional mass-cost curve. Previously at SpaceX, his career literally hinged on the success of SES-8, the first SES launch on Falcon 9. Neel is passionate about challenging assumptions in spacecraft design and enabling the next generation of satellite constellations. He finds his happy place in his childhood home in Chicago, especially during the summer months, and is a big Blink-182 fan.

    18 min

  4. FEB 13

    SES’s Neosphere Vision: MEO Satellites, Innovation & the Future of Global Connectivity

    In our first episode of Forward Focus: The Future of SES, Carmel Ortiz discusses SES's bold investment in the next-generation MEO constellation - the neosphere. With over 30 years of engineering leadership experience, she explores how the merger with Intelsat creates unique opportunities, how partnerships like K2 Space accelerate innovation, and why medium Earth orbit offers the perfect balance of capability and sustainability. This episode reveals the strategic vision behind SES's network transformation. Key Topics Covered The neosphere vision: Building a network, not just a constellation, that continuously evolves Strategic partnerships: How K2 Space brings a fresh mindset and methodology to accelerate innovationMEO advantages: Tens of satellites vs tens of thousands, with better sustainability profileInnovation culture: Giving teams freedom to create, debate, and try bold ideasTalent strategy: Balancing deep experience with growth mindset and audacious thinking Memorable Quotes "We need to figure out how to not just survive, but also thrive. We really need to transform." "Just being in K2's environment and seeing how they deal with things, how they make decisions, how they push the envelope and don't accept the status quo - it really helps us change how we think about things." "It's not just about connectivity anymore. Whether it's built on LEO, MEO, GEO, or terrestrial network, RF or optical comms - those are all just elements to building this neosphere network." About the Guest Carmel Ortiz is Senior Vice President of MEO Constellation Programs at SES, bringing over 30 years of engineering leadership across telecommunications, satellite, and digital media. She's spearheading SES's next-generation constellation strategy following the historic merger with Intelsat. Carmel is known for her strategic vision, customer-centric approach, and passion for building high-performing teams. She's a dog lover who has raised seven pugs throughout her marriage, and enjoys Springsteen - especially 'Rosalita.' #SES #SatelliteConnectivity #SpaceTechnology #MEO #LeadershipInTech

    16 min
  5. Building CubeSpace: Challenges, Leadership and European Expansion - Ep 61 - Mike-Alec Kearney, CubeSpace ADCS

    12/04/2025

    Building CubeSpace: Challenges, Leadership and European Expansion - Ep 61 - Mike-Alec Kearney, CubeSpace ADCS

    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 Topics Accidental 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 practice Chapters 00:00 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 Culture About Our Guest Mike-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.za The Satellite and NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.

    48 min
  6. From SpaceX Employee 72 to Asteroid Mining - Ep 60 - Robyn Ringuette, AstroForge

    10/21/2025

    From SpaceX Employee 72 to Asteroid Mining - Ep 60 - Robyn Ringuette, AstroForge

    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 AstroForge About 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.com The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that sources brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.

    53 min
  7. Democratising Earth Observation Data - Episode 59 - Michael Bartholomeusz, CEO of NOVI

    05/28/2025

    Democratising Earth Observation Data - Episode 59 - Michael Bartholomeusz, CEO of NOVI

    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 Podcast 00:33 Meet Michael Bar, CEO of Novi 01:50 Michael's Journey into the Space Industry 03:47 Career Highlights and Leadership Lessons 10:15 Novi's Mission and Innovations 21:17 Challenges and Ethical Considerations 26:14 Talent and Culture at Novi 33:47 Quickfire Round and Conclusion About 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.

    38 min

  8. 05/15/2025

    Imaging the Future from Space - Episode 58 - Bryan Dean, CEO and Co-Founder of Dragonfly Aerospace

    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 industry 00:04:12 - Dragonfly Aerospace's imaging technology focus 00:08:04 - Applications and use cases in Africa and globally 00:15:14 - Technical capabilities and resolution advancements 00:22:26 - Satellite imagery partnerships and tiered observation systems 00:28:51 - Current and future Dragonfly products 00:31:10 - The South African space industry talent landscape 00:41:14 - Company culture and international expansion 00:52:59 - Advice for industry newcomers About 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.com The Satellite & NewSpace Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.

    59 min
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About

A series of interviews with key leaders through the Satellite & NewSpace industry. All brought to you by the Satellite & NewSpace team at neuco a specialist global recruitment and executive search firm.

Information

  • Creator
    The Satellite and NewSpace Matters Podcast
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Satellite and NewSpace Matters Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Satellite &NewSpace Matters Podcast