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Cold Star Project
By Jason KaniganBusiness
Cold Star Project episodes
- Matthew Travis - Why Do We Need Environmentally Friendly Propulsion For Space Launch? - CSP S02E91
Experienced space startup founder Matthew Travis returns to the Cold Star Project. What has his journey and pivot been like as he finds product-to-market fit in the space industry? What need is there for environmentally friendly propulsion for space launch and spacecraft? Host Jason Kanigan asks Matt:
What indicators have you found that point to a need for environmentally friendly propulsion technology for space launch?
Who’s your customer? How did you focus on nanosatellites as your target market?
How will this technology impact the marketplace and the planet’s ecosystem?
Tell us about your journey in developing this technology. What R&D hurdles and successes have you experienced?
When it comes to the operational areas of Sales and Production, what have you learned? Especially since this is not your first space company.
USEFUL LINKS:
NASA’s Green Propulsion Roadmap: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20180006412/downloads/20180006412.pdf
The European Union is moving toward banning hydrazine. Ref: REACH https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/ESA_responding_to_EU_s_REACH_chemical_law
Aphelion Aerospace website: https://aphelionaerospace.com/
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
55 min - Chris Quilty - What Makes A Good Startup In The Space Industry? - Cold Star Project S03E20
Space industry analyst Chris Quilty joins host Jason Kanigan on the Cold Star Project to discuss what makes a good startup in the field. As a 20+ year veteran of space and satellite analysis, Chris founded Quilty Analytics in 2016. Jason asks Chris:
- What was it that made you realize opening your own firm was a better idea after 20 years of working for another firm?
- You speak about benchmarking in your profile ⏤ what indicators do you look for that demonstrate a good investment?
- Are space startups offering the exit opportunities investors want?
- How far are we from having a true “commercial space industry”?
- What’s your opinion of SPACs and how gun-shy do you believe investors will be going forward?
- You’ve stated that you believe the regulatory environment for space firms has become more favorable. Can you explain what has been happening and factors contributing to this?
- How is the defense and intelligence community reacting to the emergence of a commercial space industry. Are they resisting or embracing the change
- Are you seeing out-of-sector venture capital more willing to fund space startups? What should these VCs be cautious about and look for as positives?
USEFUL LINKS:
Quilty Analytics website: https://www.quiltyanalytics.com/
Screenshot of space art: https://coldstarproject.com/quiltyart
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
Get new episodes directly in your inbox: https://www.coldstartech.com/msb
Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
32 min - Adam Anderson - Should I Be Looking To Fire Myself As A Space Or Defense Founder? - CSP S03E19
Venture capitalist Adam Anderson got into the space industry by way of cybersecurity. He knows what it takes to start up successful businesses--and when to get out of your own way as the founder so the business can grow further. Host Jason Kanigan asks Adam:
- How did you get involved in space investing? What was your journey to get to now?
- What level have you been involved in in space investing? (company size, maturity level at start/end, pre/post revenue) Has there been an evolution in your choices?
- What “brutal lessons” have you learned by being a space industry investor? What’s the most frustrating thing you keep seeing? -
- How important is the tech when the leadership of a startup is pitching you?
- What’s the thing you keep banging your head against the wall about, wishing people would have ready to bring to you when they come to pitch?
- Is there a consistently encountered hurdle when moving from pre- to post-revenue? Anything blocking the move from zero to one?
- What have you noticed that indicates to you a startup team will be successful? And a failure? What is present or missing?
- From your perspective, is there light at the end of the tunnel⏤is it likely that space industry startups will begin to be developed and funded any time soon as, say, SaaS companies do today?
USEFUL LINKS:
Ansuz Capital website: https://ansuzcapital.com/
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
Get new episodes directly in your inbox: https://www.coldstartech.com/msb
Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
48 min - John Bicknell -How Can We Think Differently About Space Domain Awareness?- Cold Star Project S02E90
Are there new and unexpected ways to gather and interpret data in the space domain awareness field? More Cowbell Unlimited founder John Bicknell thinks so. Combining interests in operations research and national security, John looks to develop valuable predictive insights. Cold Star Project host Jason Kanigan asks John Bicknell:
what is your background and how did you get into space?
- How do you perceive the emerging space environment?
- How do you see the role of the US military in space?
- What is your view of the state of Space Domain Awareness, and what can be improved in it?
USEFUL LINKS:
More Cowbell Unlimited Website: https://morecowbellunlimited.com/
John Bicknell LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbicknell/
LinkedIn company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morecowbellunlimited
Twitter handle: @morecowbellultd
COL John Boyd USAF article: Boyd, J. 1976. “Destruction and Creation.” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58a3add7e3df28d9fbff4501/t/58a4a32ce4fcb5d8f00b7243/1487184684871/Destruction+and+Creation_3+Sep+1976.pdf
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
Get new episodes directly in your inbox: https://www.coldstartech.com/msb
Talk to Cold Star: https://www.coldstartech.com/bookcall
49 min - Nicolas Chaillan - What’s Happening With DevSecOps In The DoD? - Cold Star Project S04E09
Nicolas Chaillan is the past Chief Software Officer for the US Space Force and Air Force. He lead a number of software initiatives in the US Department of Defense (DoD) and has demonstrated an impressive ability with project and change management. Host Jason Kanigan asks Nic:
For those who haven’t heard of you yet, please give us the highlights of your DoD involvement and CSO experience
How did you make the move to becoming a US citizen and becoming employed by the state in important roles?
Can you explain DevSecOps for those outside the tech field? Why is it important and how have you contributed to US national security and administrative effectiveness with it?
You’ve made no secret of the cultural and change management issues inside DoD that frustrated your work. This was what really caught my attention, as such issues are found in nearly all large organizations and are the kinds of problems I’ve seen up close for over 20 years as a change agent and OpEx guy. Can you share with us some stories exemplifying these problems, and what you recommend to improve the situation?
The Waterfall vs Agile development methodology argument has been going on for some time. But according to yourself and other DoD officials I’ve spoken with, one has clearly outperformed the other and “actually works”. What has your experience been and why do you so strongly promote the methodology?
You’ve repeatedly sounded the alarm about TikTok: what’s the problem with this app and why is it a danger to Americans?
The tech we’re talking about--logistical and operational, decision making, infrastructure security--has a huge impact and yet is operating at a level out of sight of the general public. In a perfect world according to Nicolas, how do you see the strategic direction of US effort being applied to reach the operational state you envision? Let’s paint that picture.
USEFUL LINKS:
Link for Platform One, Iron Bank, Big Bang and more: https://software.af.mil/dsop/services/
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
Get new episodes directly in your inbox: https://www.coldstartech.com/msb
Talk to Cold Star: https://www.coldstartech.com/bookcall
44 min - Eric Felt - What Is The State of Space And US National Security With AFRL/NM? - CSP S02E89
Director of the Air Force Research Lab/New Mexico's Space Vehicles Directorate Col. Eric Felt joins us for a discussion of US national security and the state of the space industrial base on this episode of the Cold Star Project. Host Jason Kanigan asks Col. Felt:
- In your talk earlier this year at the National Security State of the Space Industrial Base 2021 event you termed the US position as “tactically strong, strategically fragile”. Can you explain in more depth what you meant?
- In the same talk you mentioned you’re “hearing all the right words but not necessarily seeing the right investment”--budgeting hasn’t changed in the past 5 years (How about an increase from the current 20% of DoD authority invested in purchasing commercial goods & services?). What does this translate into for action, outreach, dialogue, partnerships and more?
- What should DoD’s or AFRL’s Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) / North Star be for the immediate future?
- How valuable would you say improvements made leading DoD to make faster decisions would be?
- It’s easy to run around like Chicken Little, exclaiming the sky is about to fall. How big a threat is China, really? What should we be watching for on the military side?
- What new developments at AFRL NM can you share with us?
USEFUL LINKS:
AFRL/NM website: https://www.afrlnewmexico.com/
State of the Space Industrial Base 2021 Report (download link at bottom of page): https://coldstarproject.com/diustatespace2021
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
Get new episodes directly in your inbox: https://www.coldstartech.com/msb
Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
36 min - Shelli Brunswick - How Does Advocacy And Mentorship Influence The Space Industry? - CSP S02E88
The COO of Space Foundation, Shelli Brunswick, is our guest on this episode of the Cold Star Project. After a successful Air Force career Shelli has taken on many mentorship and influencer roles in the space industry. But how impactful are advocacy and mentorship roles in space? Host Jason Kanigan asks:
- Tell us about Space Foundation’s mission
- What have been your biggest challenges as Chief Operating Officer of Space Foundation? What has surprised you?
- Where do you see Space Foundation’s role directing activity for the next decade, and how do you intend to carry that out?
- What’s the long term goal of the Space4Women Network you’re a Mentor with? Can you share a story of how it has worked so far?
- You’re Chairperson of the Space Tourism Society Africa...tell us about the organization, how it formed and how you got involved...and how you believe it’s having an effect
- You’re also Chairperson of the Women In Aerospace Foundation. With your involvement in all these existing organizations, do you believe it’s best to advocate for women in aerospace this way, or is there a need for a new organization that doesn’t yet exist? Something that would address a hole you see in the industry’s needs?
USEFUL LINKS:
Space Foundation website: https://www.spacefoundation.org/
Space4Women website: https://space4women.unoosa.org/
Women In Aerospace Foundation website: https://www.womeninaerospacefoundation.org/foundation/
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
Get new episodes directly in your inbox: https://www.coldstartech.com/msb
Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
28 min - Eva Blaisdell "Lady Rocket" - How Does A Brand Personality Impact The Space Industry? - CSP S02E87
As "Lady Rocket", Eva Blaisdell has developed a brand personality in the space industry. She brings relevancy to space for regular people through education and events. In this episode of the Cold Star Project, host Jason Kanigan asks Lady Rocket:
- How and why did you pick the “Lady Rocket” brand? How has this choice of branding affected your impact over time?
- What’s your mission and how do you keep current in carrying it out while staying on brand? (You are clear about using the word “tragedies” in your positioning… people often want to avoid uncomfortable topics, yet you have deliberately called one out: why?)
- What efforts does the Lady Rocket Foundation support? Who is a good candidate for your help, and how do they go about requesting it?
- Who do you believe has the biggest impact on young people and their potential interest in space/STEM? (educators or public personas, specific nations, companies?)
- What’s your biggest frustration with the space industry worldwide at this time? What areas or topics would you most like to put resources into?
- What result are you most proud of accomplishing so far, and why?
USEFUL LINKS:
Lady Rocket Foundation website: https://www.ladyrocketfoundation.org/
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
Get new episodes directly in your inbox: https://www.coldstartech.com/msb
Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
43 min - Basuti Bolo - How Is The Space Industry Impacting Southern Africa? - Cold Star Project S02E86
Basuti Bolo is a space educator in Botswana and Zimbabwe. In this episode of the Cold Star Project, host Jason Kanigan explores the state of the space industry in Southern Africa by asking Basuti:
- What was your experience growing up, and how did you get involved with STEM? What path did you take to enter your field?
- Botswana and Zimbabwe are landlocked countries… how has their geography impacted its development and ideas of national space programs? Is there cooperation or competition? What does the average Botswana or Zimbabwe citizen think of space and space-based technology?
- What do you believe the most significant challenge for Southern Africans is regarding development and user adoption of space technology?
- What will farmers get out of having the “precise data” promised by spectral imagery?
- Tell us what’s involved in your role as Space for Women Ambassador to Botswana
- If you had the resources to do what you pleased concerning a space education and technology development program for Southern Africa, what would you concentrate your effort upon?
USEFUL LINKS:
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.orgGet new episodes directly in your inbox: https://www.coldstartech.com/msb
Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
21 min - Daniel Penaranda - What Is The ISU-FIT Commercial Space Program Like? - Cold Star Project S02E85
Space business development and aeronautical engineering pro Daniel Penaranda is on the Cold Star Project to share his experience in International Space University - Florida Institute of Technology's (ISU-FIT) Commercial Space Program.
This graduate level course prepares participants for the realities of creating commercial space businesses. Join us as host Jason Kanigan asks Daniel:
- Tell us about your background, and why you chose to attend the Commercial Space Program
- What were your thoughts and emotions going into the Commercial Space Program? Did you have a clear mental picture of what was going to happen and what outcomes you were going to achieve?
- What resources and assignments were you provided, so you could learn by working? Tell us about the assignments
- Was the networking accessible through the program useful? What kind of connections have you made?
- What were the most surprising outcomes, realizations or things you had to change your mind about due to being in the program?
- For space & defense folks who haven’t taken the program, what’s the #1 idea you believe they need to hear?
Disclaimer: We were not remunerated in any way by Daniel Penaranda or ISU-FIT for this discussion.
Useful Links:
The Final Frontier Podcast: https://thefinalfrontierpodcast.com/
OpEx Society: https://www.opexsociety.org
Get new episodes directly in your inbox: https://www.coldstartech.com/msb
Talk to Cold Star: https://coldstartech.com/talktous
33 min
About Cold Star Project
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The Cold Star Project digs into the challenges of scaling fast that tech and Space manufacturing founders encounter. Money does not solve all problems--so what now? Listen in to discover what scaling…
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