Origin Stories Space Podcast

In this episode, Richard catches up with Madison, the CEO of Space Copy, as they discuss her remarkable journey from her early career in Canada to her pivotal roles at NASA and ESA. Madison shares insights into her experiences with dual-use and forward-thinking technologies, highlighting her focus on planetary science at NASA and astrophysics at ESA. The conversation also delves into the recent su...

In this episode, we sit down with Stef, the CEO and co-founder of Redditus, to discuss her fascinating journey from her early career at TEDx and the Da Vinci Satellite Company to her current role in the aerospace industry. Steph shares insights into her background in small satellite systems and her pursuit of a PhD in aerospace with a focus on space systems. She explains how her research on re-ent...

In this episode, we welcome Jeff Thornburg , co-founder of Portal Space Systems , who shares his inspiring journey from a small town in Southern Illinois to the aerospace industry. He discusses his early life, growing up in a community with strong agricultural and mining roots, and how supportive family and teachers fueled his passion for science, math, and technology. Jeff recounts his educationa...

In this episode, we sit down with Fredrik, co-founder of Arctic Space, as he shares his journey from his early days in Ormskullsvik, Sweden, to his current role in the space industry. Fredrik reflects on his upbringing in a hockey-loving town and the strong work ethic instilled in him by his family. He discusses how his interest in environmental issues sparked during his gymnasium years in the mid...

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Irene, CEO of NeuroSpace. Irene shares her early fascination with science and technology, sparked at a young age when she discovered the inner workings of electronics while observing a radio repair. Despite being a self-proclaimed "lazy" student who enjoyed the attention of her teachers, she ultimately found her path in electrical e...

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Charles, the Co-founder and CEO of SEN. He shares his early fascination with space and entrepreneurial aspirations that began at the age of 16. Charles discusses his initial idea of sending video cameras into space to capture the “overview effect,” allowing everyone to experience the breathtaking view of Earth from above. He reflects on the ch...

In this episode, we dive into the early career journey of our guest, who began as a test engineer at Delphi. He shares insights from his time testing analog braking system controllers and airbag controllers, drawing connections between those experiences and his current role as co-founder and CEO of OpenC3. The discussion touches on the recent conference in DC, highlighting the surprising absence o...

In this episode, Chris, Patrick and Richard dive into their experiences as they gear up for a whirlwind trip to Washington, D.C. Patrick shares his excitement about the upcoming event. They reminisce about their past participation in the event and discuss future plans, including a potential visit to the Space Symposium in Colorado. The conversation then shifts as they welcome Chris, who joins in t...

In this episode, hosts Chris and his guest discuss upcoming industry events, including the satellite show in DC and the small satellite symposium moving to Salt Lake City. Chris shares insights on the importance of attending conferences where customers are present, while humorously reflecting on the challenges of navigating large events like the space symposium. The conversation also shifts to Chr...

In this episode, hosts Nate and Richard catch up on their recent travels and upcoming events in the satellite and space industry. They discuss their participation in the busy March event circuit, including the Satellite conference in Washington, DC, and their plans to sponsor and exhibit at the upcoming Small Satellite Conference in Salt Lake City. The conversation touches on the sentimentality of...

In this episode, Kevin and Richard catch up on their recent activities and discuss the vibrant event circuit in the satellite industry. Kevin shares his current location in Colorado, highlighting his travels for various conferences, including the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs and Satellite 25 in Washington, D.C. They also touch on the new SmallSat Europe event in Amsterdam, indicating the gr...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sebastian, a co-founder of Atmos Space, a pioneering company in the space sector. Sebastian shared his fascinating journey from a small town in Germany to becoming a key player in the space industry. His story began with an inspiration from Spaceship One's flight when he was 17, which led him to pursue aerospace engineering. He joined the German...

In this episode, we sit down with Trevor, who shares his unique journey into the space sector. Despite not having a traditional space pedigree, Trevor's fascinating path showcases how diverse experiences can lead to unexpected career opportunities. Join us for an inspiring conversation about following your passions and the surprising twists in life's journey.

In this episode Richard discusses how the perception of the space industry is often limited to astronauts, rocket scientists, and astrophysicists, which can create barriers for many individuals who might be interested in pursuing careers in this field. To counter this perception, the podcast aims to share diverse stories from various professionals within the space sector, showcasing their unconven...

In this episode, we sit down with Grant, who shares his inspiring journey from a small town in Northern Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, to a successful career in aerospace engineering. Grant discusses his educational background, starting with a degree in aerospace mechanical engineering from Carleton University in Ottawa and his initial plans for graduate studies in bioastronautics at the University of...

In this episode, hosts Ashi and Reza share their journey from their early days to founding Spacium. Ashi, an aerospace and mechanical engineer, discusses his educational background, including his degrees from Syracuse University and the University of Ottawa, where he first met Reza. They reminisce about their work at Kepler Shipyards and Ottawa Rocketry, building high-power rockets and testing sci...

In this episode, we chat with Kirsten, who shares her inspiring journey from a young dreamer to a career in the space industry. Starting with a charming anecdote from when she was just three years old, Kirsten reveals her early fascination with space, sparked by a face painting request to look like an astronaut. This childhood passion led her to delve into astronomy through books and telescopes, u...

Explore the world of aerospace innovation with Tim Deaver, Vice President Strategic Solutions at Mynaric. With over 30 years of experience in aerospace and defense, Tim has been at the forefront of industry transformations, driving growth and fostering new collaborative paradigms. In this interview, learn about his journey from enhancing satellite operations at SES to leading global sales and stra...

Join us in this enlightening interview with Ben McCrossan, CEO of Ensemble Space Labs, as we dive into the fascinating world of space weather forecasting. Learn how Ensemble Space, spun off from Ensemble Consultancy, is leveraging advanced data science and machine learning to predict solar storms and mitigate their impacts on critical technologies like satellites, GPS, and communication systems. S...

Join us this week as we sit down with the record-breaking, trailblazing astronaut, Susan Kilrain 🎙️🚀 Starting with a private pilot's license at just 17, Susan's space career journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Despite being denied a place in the Air Force because they'd "fulfilled their annual quota of women", she went on to become a distinguished American aerospace engineer, a US Navy off...

This week on the show we're sitting down with self-professed accidental space cadet, Heather Leser 🎙️🚀 Heather’s early career started in healthcare, but she navigated her business and management skills through retail, non-profit, and even marketing, until she landed a role as executive assistant to the CEO of Eta Space. Here, she fell in love with the world of space and worked her way up to her c...

Join us this week as we sit down with Melissa Quinn , the newly announced general manager of Seradata🎙️ Hailing from rural Canada, Melissa's childhood was steeped in the realm of aerospace, a passion that would shape her life 🚀 Her fascination with global aerospace markets and economics brought her to the London School of Economics, earning her a Master’s in economics and setting the stage for an...

Fresh out of college and looking for work, Steve Nixon picked up the phone book and called the US Secretary of Defence. Flash forwards a few redirected calls, he landed his first job as an aircraft program budget analyst at the Pentagon 🛩️ Seven years on, he set his sights on a role at Congress for the US House Committee on Appropriations, where he became immersed in the world of space 🚀 All than...

In today's episode, we’re joined by Laura Forczyk , a renowned space consultant and career coach with nearly 20 years' industry experience. 🚀 As the founder and executive director of Astralytical, Laura has made it her mission to help businesses, governments, non-profits, and professionals worldwide thrive in the fast-paced and fascinating space sector. 🌌 With a lifelong passion for space and a...

Today on the podcast we’re joined by one of EVONA’s very own strategic advisors, Jeff Crusey 🚀 As an experienced deep tech venture capitalist, Jeff specialises in solving significant real-world problems in the realms of space, defence, climate, energy, cybersecurity, AR, VR, advanced computing, and beyond 🛰️🔋💻 Jeff is the founder and general partner of Farpoint, an early-stage deep tech venture...