Luke Fischer, Co-Founder and CEO of SkyFi, has a strong background in aviation, technology, and military industries. His leadership has driven the success of his latest innovative satellite imagery startup SkyFi. 

In this episode, Ben and Luke discuss what happens when clouds get in the way of arial pictures, the diverse utility of democratising arial surveillance and the importance of networking!

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:58 Intro to Luke Fischer and What is SkyFi?

02:35 Selfie from Space - or is it?

03:47 Cost of Pics

05:29 How does it work?

08:10 Applications

10:52 Transparency of viewing Earth

12:30 Luke’s previous military & arial experience

15:55 Luke’s Strategy for building Dream Teams

18:56 Privacy concerns

20:54 The future of arial surveillance 

23:55 Possible uses for SkyFi?

28:30 CEO advice

31:00 What about clouds?!

32:34 Would Luke go to Space?

33:36 Wrap Up & Socials

Follow Luke Fischer & SkyFi

Website: https://www.skyfi.com/contact

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkyfiApp

Twitter (Luke’s Personal): https://twitter.com/FischerLukeM

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skyfi.app/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skyfi-imaging/

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

(NEW - YOUTUBE): www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gambleonit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

Spaceport Cornwall is a launch site for satellites and spaceplanes in the United Kingdom, located at Cornwall Airport Newquay. The project is a partnership between the Cornwall Council and Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit, with the goal of offering low-cost and flexible access to space for small satellite launch providers. Spaceport Cornwall aims to support the growing demand for space-based services and to establish Cornwall as a hub for space-related innovation and technology.

In this episode, Ben and Melissa discuss the plans for Spaceport Cornwall, the ambition to become the first carbon neutral spaceport and what is a Cornish Chough?!

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:59 Melissa Thorpe 01:19 January 9th launch 02:05 Rocket Pride 🚀 03:26 ‘The Event’ of the launch 05:22 Next launch attempt 06:58 Spaceport vs Airport 08:54 Location of Spaceport Cornwall 09:48 Locals reaction to Spaceport Cornwall 12:47 What is a Cornish Chuff? 14:08 Melissa’s journey to Space 16:30 UK Space Strategy 19:56 Other launch capabilities at Spaceport Cornwall 22:45 Grassroots effects of Spaceport Cornwall 27:01 Typical day as Head of Spaceport 29:50 Long term aspirations for Spaceport Cornwall 32:18 Wrap up & Socials

Follow Melissa Thorpe

Website: https://spaceportcornwall.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melsgoodspace/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Spacecornwall/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-thorpe/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/melsgoodspace

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

(NEW - YOUTUBE): www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gambleonit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

Meagan is a leading voice in the entrepreneurial space industry and an experienced startup executive and founder, with multiple exits under her belt. She is the host of the Mission Eve podcast that aims to increase the number of women in the space industry and is frequently featured as a thought leader on the industry’s development and investment potential. 

Meagan is a strong believer in the power of free enterprise as the driving force that will lift humanity permanently off-world. She is managing partner of SpaceFund, a venture capital firm investing in space startups and sits on the board of directors of over a dozen organizations, including both space startups and nonprofits. She holds an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from Rice University.

In 2009, Meagan co-founded the NewSpace Business Plan Competition, a program focused on educating both entrepreneurs and investors, and catalyzing deal flow and is the world’s longest-running space focused BPC.  As a manager, coach, and judge for the last decade, she has read over 1,000 space business executive summaries, has coached hundreds of selected teams, and helped award cash prizes to dozens of NewSpace startups.

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:14 Please rate/subscribe to podcast!

00:56 Meagan Crawford

01:38 What is Space Fund

03:00 Journey to launch Space Fund

05:45 Selection Process for Investments

08:01 Current Portfolio

09:58 Difference between a normal VC and a Space VC

12:34 Space Forge

14:36 SEN

14:57 Push and Pull Strategy

17:23 New Space Business Plan

19:24 The Misson Eve Podcast 

21:15 Learnings from the Podcast

22:36 The World’s First Trillionaire

24:43 Equity of Opportunity 

26:30 Government rules and regs

28:58 Future Partnerships/Pace of Investment

30:30 Outside of work

31:46 Wrap Up & Social

Follow Meagan Crawford

Recent Blog: https://spacefund.com/blog/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeaganMCrawford

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spacefundgodess/

Website: https://spacefund.com/

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

(NEW - YOUTUBE): www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gambleonit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

"Space Prize” seeks to promote universal space literacy and inspire the next generation of private astronauts by connecting private citizens with a thrilling range of astronaut, earthanaut and aquanaut experiences.

In this episode, Ben and Kim discuss where the Space Prize is going next, the importance of mentorship and the role of science communication in inspiring the next generation of young women in Space!

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:16 Please rate and review the podcast!

01:06 Kim Macharia

01:46 Space Prize

04:54 The Pipeline Problem

06:10 Space Literacy

08:13 Space Education

08:50 Telescope in every school in the world

09:52 What are the Space Prize’s?

12:04 importance of Mentorship

13:33 Different Judges/Mentors depending on location

14:00 The Application 

16:00 Funding

17:30 Locations 

19:15 Next Space Prize in May: Brazil

19:37 Challenges of new locations

21:28 Science Communication

22:36 Space Frontier Foundation

25:40 Private companies democratising access to space

27:40 Future in space

28:15 What advice to young people

30:40 Would Kim go to Space?

32:38 Socials and Wrap Up

Follow Kim Macharia

Website: https://www.spaceprize.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceprize/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thespaceprize

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-prize/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thespaceprize

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

(NEW - YOUTUBE): www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gambleonit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

John Kraus “snap”, is a photographer based on Florida's Space Coast working to capture rocket launches and other spaceflight activities in Cape Canaveral and around the world. Outside of that work, he serves as the Content Director of the Polaris Program and has worked with and has his images used by space entities such as NASA, SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, the European Space Agency, Inspiration4, the Polaris Program, and more!

In this episode, Ben and John discuss how John got his big break capturing the Inspiration4 mission, pushing the envelope when it comes to Space photography and what it was like covering Inspiration4 and the upcoming Polaris missions!

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:20 Please rate/subscribe/share/do something to promote the podcast!

01:00 John Kraus

02:02 What pic does John use on his desktop?

03:18 Pushing the envelope in space photography

05:00 Rookie mistakes?

07:40 Favourite pictures

13:20 How John started as a photographer

15:09 How John got selected to cover Inspiration4

20:30 Fate works in mysterious ways!

22:07 Being young - an advantage?

26:00 Being an “extra astronaut”

30:02 Does John train astronauts to take pictures?

31:44 Would John go to space?

36:12 How is John going to capture Polaris Dawn launch?

Follow John Kraus

Website: https://www.johnkrausphotos.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnkrausphotos

Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnkrausphotos/

Some of John’s work

FH/USSF-67 images: https://www.johnkrausphotos.com/Galleries/Launches/Falcon-Heavy-USSF-67

All launches John's shot: https://www.johnkrausphotos.com/Galleries/Launches

Polaris Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/polarisprogramphotos/

Recent Polaris Dawn / NASA JSC Chamber photo essay: https://polarisprogram.com/polaris-dawn-crew-participates-in-a-decompression-sickness-study-at-nasas-johnson-space-center/

Inspiration4 Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/inspiration4photos

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

(NEW - YOUTUBE): www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gambleonit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

Freya Blekman is the lead scientist at the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY and professor in elementary particle physics at the University of Hamburg. Freya’s research interests include the search for signs of “new physics” using the large hadron collider at CERN and future colliders.

In this episode, Ben and Freya discuss how she went from being cast as a “crazy scientist” in a school play to sitting in the control room of the largest particle collider in the world!

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

0:17 Please rate, subscribe and review the podcast! 

01:12 Freya Blekman

02:18 Passion for physics

03:46 CERN CMS https://home.cern/science/experiments/cms

07:07 Location of CERN

08:27 What particles does CERN smash together?

09:47 Discovery of the Higgs Particle

11:08 LHC closed for 3 years 

13:40 Aim of LHC

16:21 Quarks

18:38 Control room 

20:45 Space and particle physics

23:00 Safety at LHC

26:24 Future discoveries at CERN

28:40 Future colliders 

30:26 Advice to next generation of scientists/physicists

33:40 DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron) and Professor at Hamberg

34:41 Wrap up and socials

Follow Freya Blekman

Website: https://freyablekman.wixsite.com/website

Twitter: https://twitter.com/freyablekman

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

(NEW - YOUTUBE): www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gambleonit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

Andy Aldrin is the President of the Aldrin Family Foundation, a charity dedicated to harnessing the inspiration of space to ignite a passion for STEAM education in students of all ages and backgrounds.

In this episode, Ben and Andy talk about the Aldrin Family Foundation, why they have teamed up with the University of Sunderland (in the UK), what it was like growing up with Buzz as a father and the future of Space tourism!

Spaced Ventures: https://www.spacedventures.com/ to invest into shares of actual space startups!

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:17 Spaced Ventures www.spacedventures.com

00:41 Andy Aldrin Introduction

01:23 New Years resolution/thoughts

03:15 Artemis 1 & Starship

05:25 Polaris Dawn & Space Tourism

06:20 Launch cost

10:38 Buzz Aldrin as a father

13:00 Aldrin Family Foundation (AFF)

15:09 Space Tourism and access to space

22:04 The night sky

22:36 AFF origin

27:47 Why Sunderland?

28:50 Differences between UK and US students

34:33 Wrap up and socials

Follow the Aldrin Family Foundation

Website: https://aldrinfoundation.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AldrinFamilyFoundation

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AldrinFamilyFdn

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

(NEW - YOUTUBE): www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gambleonit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

Jared Isaacman is an American entrepreneur, pilot, philanthropist, and commercial astronaut. He is the founder, CEO of Draken International and Shift4 Payments. As well as being commander of the iconic inspiration 4 mission last year, Jared will command the Polaris Dawn mission, the first private spaceflight in a series of missions named the Polaris Program which starts early next year.

In this episode, Ben and Jared discuss the upcoming Polaris missions, his entrepreneurial journey and his relationship with SpaceX.

Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsor:

Spaced Ventures: https://www.spacedventures.com/ to invest into shares of actual space startups!

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

0:16 Spaced Ventures

00:40 Jared Isaacman

01:22 The importance of reflection

02:52 Shift 4 Payments 

05:22 Where did Jared’s passion for space start?

07:42 Telling board about space dreams

10:18 Hand over business responsibility when in space?

12:08 Inspiration 4 success

15:08 When did SpaceX conversation start?

17:20 Polaris Dawn conception

18:35 Timing for Polaris Dawn

23:34 What to look for in a crew? 

25:15 Upcoming Polaris missions

26:40 Moon & Mars

28:02 Family Life

29:44 Advice to budding space entrepreneurs

34:00 Wrap up and socials

Follow the Polaris Program

Website: https://polarisprogram.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rookisaacman & https://twitter.com/polarisprogram

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polarisprogram/

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gambleonit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

Dr Brian Keating is a Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of physics at the Center for Astrophysics & Space Sciences (CASS) in the Department of Physics at the University of California, San Diego. He is a public speaker, inventor, and an expert in the study of the universe’s oldest light, the cosmic microwave background (CMB), using it to learn about the origin and evolution of the universe. Keating is a writer and podcaster and the best-selling author of one of Amazon Editors’ ‘Best Non-fiction Books of All Time”, Losing the Nobel Prize.

In this episode, Ben and Brian discuss “losing the Nobel prize”, how young scientists need to be wary of confirmation bias, the importance of science communication and why we should all look up at the stars!

Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsor:

Spaced Ventures: https://www.spacedventures.com/ to invest into shares of actual space startups!

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:37 Introduction to Dr Brian Keating

01:40 Losing the Nobel Prize 

09:40 What is the James Webb Space Telescope telling us?

13:55 Potential of Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

17:50 “Into The Impossible” Podcast - subscribe on Apple 

24:50 Eric Weinstein & The Portal - Geometric Unity 

31:10 Current area’s of research and what Brian would do with a “blank cheque”?

36:50 What Ben would/should do to promote the podcast!

39:00 Wrap Up and socials

Follow Dr Brian Keating

Website: https://briankeating.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrBrianKeating/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/losingthenobelprize/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gambleonit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

Julie McEnery is the Project Scientist for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. In this role, she is the scientific lead of a NASA Astrophysics flagship mission that will study the expansion history of the Universe, the evolution of cosmic structure and perform a statistical census of planets around other stars. Her scientific research focuses on the study of extreme high energy transients and the development of the ground and space based observatories needed to pursue this.  She is the senior scientist for high energy astrophysics at Goddard Space Flight Center, and co-director of the Joint Space Sciences Center between Goddard and the University of Maryland.

In this episode, Ben and Julie discuss the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, it's timeline and how it compares to the JWST  ‘Instead of seeing deep, seeing wide’.

Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsor:

Spaced Ventures: https://www.spacedventures.com/ to invest into shares of actual space startups!

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:16 Spaced Ventures 00:42 Introduction to Dr Julie Mc Enery 01:25 Working for NASA 03:15 How did Julie start her fascination with space? 04:30 Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (NGRST) - what is it? 07:34 Importance of ‘Nancy Grace’ name 08:34 ‘Mother of Hubble’ 09:06 Timeline for launch 10:33 ‘Day in the life’ - current build stage (as of 2022) 12:33 Impact of JWST 13:50 ‘Instead of seeing deep, seeing wide’ 15:07 Dark Energy and Dark Matter 19:53 Predictions about findings from NGRST/short puppy disturbance 🐶 22:19 NGRST searching for Exoplanets 28:30 Direct images of planets similar to our own! 29:08 Falcon Heavy launch/things to watch out for 31:40 Advice to young scientists and engineers Wrap up and socials 33:44 Wrap up and socials

Follow Orbit Fab

Website: https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NASARoman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASARoman

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gambleonit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/