TC Sessions: Space - Opportunities in Space Observation

The space observation market represents a significant, increasingly commercialized area within the broader space industry, with projections estimating its value could exceed $8 billion before the end of this decade.

At TC Sessions: Space on December 16 & 17, we will explore the future of this dynamic market alongside some of its most influential leaders. Featured speakers include Payam Banazadeh, CEO and founder of Capella Space; Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and founder of ICEYE; Peter Platzer, CEO of Spire Global; and Melanie Stricklan, co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Slingshot Aerospace.

Collectively, these founders have secured approximately $450 million in funding for their companies. The discussion will center on the investment opportunities present in companies focused on Earth observation and the overall trajectory of the industry.

Prior to establishing Slingshot, Melanie dedicated her career to service in the United States Air Force, concentrating on Space Control and Battle Management integration to bolster the nation’s defenses in space. Her experience also includes leading the development and implementation of experimental spacecraft, electronic warfare systems, and cyber technologies at the Department of Defense. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a master’s degree in Space Systems Operations Management from Webster University.

Before launching Capella Space, Payam Banazadeh contributed his expertise as a project manager and flight systems engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He has been honored with the NASA Mariner Award, NASA Discovery Award, and NASA Formulation Award. A strong proponent of raising awareness regarding Earth’s fragility and the implications of technological advancements, Banazadeh earned a business degree from Stanford University and an Aerospace Engineering degree from the University of Texas.

Peter Platzer established Spire Global in 2012 with the goal of delivering satellite-derived data from any point on the globe. Recognized as a White House Champion of Change in 2013 and a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, Platzer is now considered a leading figure in the deployment of small satellites. He received his MBA from Harvard and an undergraduate degree from Vienna’s Technical University, with foundational training at CERN and the Planck Institute, followed by a consulting role at BCG. He also provided counsel on space commercialization at NASA Ames’ Space Portal while pursuing an MSS from the International Space University.

Rafal Modrzewski began his career as a researcher at VTT, the Technical Research Center of Finland, specializing in RFID and wireless sensing technologies before shifting his focus to space exploration. At ICEYE, founded as a project in 2012 and officially incorporated in 2014, Modrzewski and co-founder Pekka Laurila concentrated on the launch and operation of small radar imaging satellites to deliver consistent Earth observation data.

TC Sessions: Space 2020 is now less than a month away, and the deadline to take advantage of early-bird pricing – a $100 discount – is this Friday, November 13, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. PST. Additional savings options are available, including group discount passes ($100 each – purchase four passes and receive a fifth free); student discounts ($50); and discounts for government, military, and nonprofit organizations ($95). Extra Crunch subscribers can receive an additional 20% off admission by emailing extracrunch@techcrunch.com for a discount code.