Those Space People

In this episode, we are Bridging the Gap with Cécile Deprez - a scientific researcher at DLR (German Aerospace Center). They work in the field of satellite positioning and specialize in next-generation GNSS. They are also an anti-imperialist intersectional LGBTQIA+ activist. Also a fellow member of the WIA-E and involved with several of its working groups. They also run a volunteer organization Se...

This episode of "Thermal Lens" features Dr. Claire Bulgin , a Senior Research Scientist in Earth Observation at the University of Reading. Claire takes us into the often-overlooked world of uncertainties in land surface temperature (LST) measurements and elaborates on the differences between error and uncertainty, the roles of accuracy, precision, and bias, and the challenges of calculating and co...

In this episode of Those Space People, we sit down with Priyanka Rajkakati , Head of Special Projects at Vortex IO in Toulouse, France. With a background in aerospace engineering and systems engineering, and a passion for art, Priyanka leads groundbreaking projects like Europe's first flood forecasting system (WHYLD project). She discusses her multidisciplinary approach, combining satellite data w...

In today's episode, we are "Bridging the Gap" with Vera Pinto - Policy Coordinator at the European Commission (Directorate General for Defense Industry and Space). The discussion covers Vera's diverse background in international relations, political science, and space policy, and her current role focusing on equality, diversity, inclusion, and the sustainability of the space sector. Vera shares in...

In this podcast episode, Nithish Kumar , an aerospace engineer working with the VC firm Speciale Invest, shares his diverse experiences ranging from space education and outreach to entrepreneurship. Nithish recounts his proud yet failed passion project, ALINEA, which aimed to be a startup pitching platform inspired by Shark Tank, and how it marked a transformative period in his life during the COV...

In this episode, Asitang Mishra , a senior data scientist from JPL NASA, and Nitish Kumar , an AI team lead from ISRO, discuss the current and future applications of Artificial Intelligence in space exploration. They delve into how AI is transforming space missions, from satellite imagery analysis and space debris modeling to the automation of spacecraft systems. The conversation also covers the c...

This episode of 'Those Space People' features Alice Carruth , a podcast producer at T-Minus Space Daily Podcast for a deep dive into the world of space podcasting. Alice discusses her role as a podcast producer, the similarities and differences in podcast production within the space industry, and her career journey from broadcast journalism to becoming a key voice in space news dissemination. She...

This episode of “Thermal Lens” features Mary Langsdale , an Environmental Scientist at King’s College London. Mary has a background in mathematics and a Phd in remote sensing. In this episode, Mary delves into her recent multi-national ESA and NASA co-funded air-borne and ground campaign that aimed to quantify the effect of directionality on land surface temperature (LST) data. She elaborates on t...

This episode of “Thermal Lens” features Charlie Siggs , Commercial Agronomist at constellr. constellr is a German satellite company providing thermal intelligence for better resource accountability in agriculture. They build satellites for imaging in thermal wavelengths, which allow analysing water stress in plants. Charlie has a background in agriculture and has been solving problems in the agric...

Roxana Dumitru is the COO & co-founder at ParaLoon. ParaLoon is a new space start-up aspiring to harness space based solar power for both space and on Earth using inflatable parabolic balloon structures.  With a background in architecture, civil engineering, and physics, Roxana shares her journey from these fields to space entrepreneurship. She discusses the innovative technology of space-base...

In today’s episode, we’re “Bridging the Gap” with Shelli Brunswick - the COO of Space Foundation. Space Foundation is a non-profit organization leading  space awareness activities, educational programs and major industry events and is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA. All through her distinguished career as a program management leader and congressional liaison for the U.S. Air Force,...

“Calibration is the poor step-child of remote sensing designs” - Ellis Freedman Welcome back to the second part of our conversation with Ellis Freedman , the founder of Serious Science . In the previous episode, Ellis talked about the differences between big space missions and smaller newspace ones. Today, we're diving into thermal mission design. We'll cover essential topics like challenges in sa...

Join us in today's episode as we sit down with Ellis Freedman , the founder of Serious Science , a US-based consulting company specializing in satellite imaging systems. With over 40 years of experience in radiometry for infrared (IR) and VSWIR imaging, Ellis brings a wealth of knowledge from diverse remote sensing missions, including NASA's Landsat program. He has also served as a visiting lectur...

Sanket Suman Dash is an Assistant Principal Engineer (AOCS/GNC) at ST Engineering which is a Singaporean multinational technology and engineering group. His area of expertise is AOCS/GNC. Sanket takes us into the world of spacecraft GNC (Guidance, Navigation &  Control) and explains in detail the different elements of attitude and orbit determination for diverse applications of orbit maneuveri...

The ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) instrument has been in space for nearly 25 years, riding aboard the Terra satellite. As the satellite's orbit gradually descends, we've taken the opportunity to explore the instrument's legacy, the insights gained from its mission, and its significant contributions to the advancement of thermal remote sensing. This episode...

Land Surface Temperature (LST) is a vital measure derived from thermal remote sensing satellite data. In the summer of 2023, it gained attention in the media and stirred some confusion when compared to regular air temperatures. In the first episode of the special series "Thermal Lens," we feature Michael Perry from the University of Leicester. He's been part of important space missions like LSTM a...

Abhijeet Borkar is a research scientist at the Astronomical Institute of Czech Academy of Sciences.  He has a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Cologne. Abhijeet is currently based in Prague. Having studied and spent time in universities across India, Germany and Prague, Abhijeet shares insights into building a career in astronomy and astrophysics across different geographie...

Omkar Nikam is the founder of Access Hub , a space technology, defense, and security research and analysis firm with a global coverage and special emphasis on Europe. Omkar is also a free-lance consultant and analyst and writes extensively around space applications for defense and international security. He is also the host of the Space, Defence, & Security podcast . Omkar's career trajectory...

Vinayak Vadlamani is a Chief Engineer at Redwire space and currently based in Luxembourg. He has a background in systems engineering. Redwire Space in Luxembourg designs and develops robotic arms for satellite servicing and refuelling, in-space manufacturing, debris capture, etc. Vinayak takes us through the journey of a space systems engineer and elaborates on how responsibilities evolve with car...

Regina Kozyra is a market development manager at Planet and she is currently located in Berlin, Germany. Regina has a background in economics and management. She had previously founded Skyvory Projects, a consulting and business development company. Having worked in the Earth Observation space at the Polish Space Research Center and then later at the European GNSS agency, Regina talks about the op...

Harleen Kaur Mann is an astrodynamics and Space Surveillance & Tracking expert with Okapi orbits which is a Germany based SAAS startup offering collision avoidance software for satellites. She has a background in aerospace engineering and a PhD in astronomy. Harleen is currently based in Brunswick, Germany.

Gavin Tolometti is a Postdoctoral researcher at the Western University in Ontario, Canada. His current research is in planetary sciences. He has a background in geology. Gavin is also the host of the awesome podcast - The Diaries of Space Explorers - also available on all podcasting platforms.

Ian Stammers is the head of RPO services and workforce solutions at Sapienza consulting. He has a background in recruiting and has worked with several recruitment companies across multiple geographies.

Venkat Athmanathan is a research scientist at the Purdue University in the USA. He has a background in aerospace engineering and provides amazing insights into the finer workings of the American space ecosystem.

Suryakiran Peravalli is a currently a research fellow at DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron) which is a particle research laboratory in Germany. He has a background in aerospace engineering and has been applying his deep knowledge across a variety of fields from biomedicine to ship building and now particle research.