SSC’s mission is: “We help Earth benefit from Space.” For SSC — Swedish Space Corporation — fulfilling that mission involves its extensive ground network that supports launches with real-time TT&C data and communicating with payloads. This episode of On Orbit features a conversation with Erwin Mercado, president and CEO of the company’s U.S. subsidiary, SSC Space US Inc, about the value of space communications. 

Erwin talks about the company’s rich history in space. Formerly known as Universal Space Network, the company was founded by Pete Conrad, commander of the Apollo 12 mission and third person to walk on the Moon. Erwin shares how the company has built up a portfolio of ground stations around the world to form the link between Earth and space, and how these communications are critical to support space missions.

This episode of On Orbit is sponsored by SSC. For more information, visit sscspace.com/

What do satellite policy and space movies have in common? For starters, space debris often plays a key role in both. In this episode of On Orbit, we talk about regulation and space movies with Henry Gola, a partner in Wiley’s Telecom, Media & Technology practice. Gola has been part of some of the biggest regulatory developments, like representing the C-Band Alliance before the FCC.  He gives a review of some of the top policy issues at the FCC right now, and we dig into the details of the regulatory framework for satellite-to-cell coverage. 

Gola also leads the “Hosted Payload” series on the Wiley Connected podcast, where he talks about famous space movies with policy experts. We chat about some of his favorites like “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Gravity,” and how movies have raised awareness of issues like space debris.

Hosted Payload link: https://soundcloud.com/wileyconnected 

Over the course of this debut season of Future Space Economy, we’ve learned how dependent both private and public sector space investors are on startups to bring enabling technologies to life. Today’s space startups are pitching their products as the glue that will hold the Future Space Economy together.

In this episode, the leaders and founders of space startups across multiple applications join us to discuss what they feel are the strongest opportunities for their businesses to succeed in an expanding space ecosystem. We also ask them if investors are buying into the space economy for the long haul, and whether or not startups could play a leading role in shaping space policy.

When we talk about sustainability in the space industry, we’re usually talking to space sustainability issues like space traffic management and space debris. Amber Ledgerwood is trying to bring attention to sustainability issues here on Earth. Amber is the Senior Manager of Social and Environmental Impact at SES and she leads the operator’s ESG strategy.

In this episode, Amber talks about how environmental, social, and governance issues apply to SES and the satellite industry. These issues range from the climate impact of space companies on Earth, diversity and inclusion, how a company’s products and services impact society, and also responsible behavior in space. She hopes her role influences the industry beyond SES and challenges other space companies to take concrete actions to minimize climate impact and improve diversity among their workforce.

Most of us understand the damage caused by cyberattacks on Earth. In space, the consequences of cyberattacks are even more dire. They can sabotage years of economic activity, threaten national security and the lives of astronauts and in-space personnel, and spark uncontrollable military action in an already dangerous environment. In this episode, we’ll learn about how modern approaches to cyber and national security change when dealing with complex in-space infrastructure, and protecting human activity in space. 

This episode is part of the On Orbit Future Space Economy webcast series. In Part 1 of this discussion, we discuss the legal framework and policies needed to protect the Future Space Economy. Part 2 of the discussion will focus on the software, tools, and technological solutions needed to protect space networks. 

This discussion includes John Moberly, senior vice president of Space at SpiderOak. Moberly leads SpiderOak’s pivot to space leveraging the company’s zero trust and cybersecurity foundational capabilities. Prior to SpiderOak, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, from which he retired after 20 years. 

Joining Moberly is Jonathan Swanson, director of Security Strategy for Krebs Stamos Group. Swanson is an ISC2 CISSP certified professional with over a decade of expertise in cyber security strategy and risk management. 

As it exists today, the space tourism “experience” relies on the thrill of just being in space for a select group of dedicated space enthusiasts. However, for this budding tourism industry to grow, it needs to appeal to a broader mainstream audience and to those who want more than a rocket ride and a view of the Earth. This episode of the On Orbit Future Space Economy webcast series features experts who are working to build a more complete space tourism experience package that includes pre- and post-launch adventures, in-space activities and entertainment. Learn about your next potential vacation in space!

With 50 million downloads and 950,000 ratings, and an average rating of 4.8 stars, MyRadar is one of the most popular weather apps, putting weather information directly in the hands of its customers. But this isn’t an ad for MyRdar, it’s the story of how and why a popular mobile app becomes a space company. 

MyRadar orbital ambitions, and is working on a satellite constellation to quickly alert to wildfires. MyRadar CTO Sarvesh Garimella about how and why the mobile app is investing in its its own satellites. The story turns the traditional Earth observation model on its head, as MyRadar is already an end user of satellite data, and now its purpose-building satellites for its own needs. 

He also shares how a weather app helps its users deal with climate change, how AI models are impacting weather forecasting, and why a digital-first weather company still invests in the power of real, human meteorologists.

Correction: The intro of the podcast misstates the number of MyRadar downloads. The app has 50 million downloads. 

Why are the world’s space faring nations racing back to the moon? What is the value of establishing a new lunar economy? In this episode of On Orbit’s Future Space Economy webcast series, host Jeffrey Hill speaks with Yale University’s Emma Louden, Nanoracks’ Mike Lewis, and former SpaceX leaders David Anderman and Sita Sonty about what’s driving the new space race to the moon. The group explores the value of lunar materials and resources, research on the “dark side of the moon,” and the economic opportunities created by just getting there (as well as getting there first).

Is space crowded? While space is infinite, space crowding is an important issue as the satellite industry launches more and more mass to orbit each year. This week, Chiara Manfletti, COO of space traffic management startup Neuraspace joins On Orbit to answer this and other critical questions about space sustainability. 

In this episode, she digs into the specifics of the risks to satellite operators, and different approaches to space traffic management, and how governments and even insurers have a role to play in sustainable in orbit operations. 

Chiara has an interesting background in academia and government. Before getting involved with Neuraspace, She served as president of the new Portuguese national space agency, Portugal Space. We talk about that experience, the startup environment in Europe, and Chiara also shares about her beekeeping hobby. 

In the past year, the satellite industry has been a part of a slew of announcements about direct-to-device and satellite to cell. Now, major names in cellular industries and devices like Apple, Qualcomm, and T-Mobile are all working with satellite companies. 

Tarun Gupta, chief product officer and co-founder of Skylo Technologies joins On Orbit this week to talk about the growth in the direct-to-device market. Skylo had been working on its own tech stack to connect devices directly to satellite before 3GPP release 17 standards, but Tarun says that the standards release along with the iPhone 14 were both major catalysts in opening up this market. 

In the past, OEMs didn't believe small devices could connect directly to satellite, and now companies are asking how fast devices can be brought online. In this episode, Tarun talks about trends in this market, the enabling technologies and developments, and use cases like remote power line monitoring for wildfires. We also talk about Skylo’s recent announcement with Qualcomm.