Cloud Computing as a service, has made possible the advent of high performance computing platforms. At the convergence of Smallsats and Cloud Services is an opportunity to transition traditional satellite group processing from dedicated operations centers to cloud computing centers. While small satellite constellations may provide a simpler solution for many missions, the ground systems required to operate or fly constellations of this size present a more daunting challenge. The sheer amount of data processing and transport involved in supporting dozens if not hundreds of simultaneous satellite contacts demands more innovative ground system solutions than traditional satellite operations centers.
Dr. Chris Boshuizen
Dr. Chris Boshuizen is an Operating Partner at DCVC (Data Collective) leading investment in space (Capella Space, Rocket Lab) and other deep tech companies. Chris was co-founder of Planet Labs, a DCVC company providing unprecedented daily, global mapping of our changing planet from space. As the company’s CTO for 5 years, he took the company from the drawing board to having launched more satellites into space than any other company in history, completely transforming the space industry along the way. Chris was previously a Space Mission Architect at NASA Ames Research Center. After working on a number of traditional spacecraft programs at NASA, Chris co-created Phonesat, a spacecraft built solely out of a regular smartphone. Chris received his Ph.D. in Physics (with honors) and a BSc. in Physics and Mathematics, both from the University of Sydney.
Bronwyn Agrios
Dominic Edmunds
As an experienced entrepreneur and CEO, Dominic has built a wealth of commercial knowledge through founding and managing his own data business before entering into the world of EO analysis and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
Having secured recognition from Glassdoor and Business Insider for running the UK’s best technology company to work for (2015), Dominic was also recognised by the Sunday Times ‘Tech Track’, Sunday Times ‘Export Track’ & The London Stock Exchange – ‘Companies to inspire Britain’.
At PlanetWatchers, Dominic is turning months of manual claims adjustment into just minutes of automated analysis across the insurance industry… and having a lot fun along the way.
Stephen Kitay
Stephen Kitay co-leads Microsoft’s efforts to connect Azure with the space sector. The rapid advances in commercial, government and international space capabilities provides a unique opportunity to both enable the space industry through the power of Azure and leverage these space services for Azure customers. Stephen and the Azure Space team are developing capabilities and services to extend connectivity across the world, simulate digital space environments, discover new insights, and drive innovation both on the ground and in orbit.
Prior to Microsoft, Stephen served in the United States Government, most recently as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy where he had a key leadership role in the establishment of the U.S. Space Force. He has also held a range of positions in the Air Force, Intelligence Community and Capitol Hill. Stephen has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of West Florida.
Rosalie van der Maas
Rosalie van der Maas is co-founder and CEO of Ellipsis Drive. A plug and play solution for using, sharing, and selling spatial data.
Before she started building her career in her twenties, Rosalie spent her time on the water as she climbed the ranks of the Dutch rowing league. Aside from a passion for sports with a finnish line, there was also a passion for art. Rosalie was accepted into a Dutch Design academy at the age of 15, which she chose not to attend in favor of a college education at the University of Amsterdam (BSc) and Wageningen (MSc), the Netherlands. Here Rosalie gained an academic background in earth and environmental sciences, development and innovation, while she organized events on Big Data & society at age 20, and founded her first company at age 22. She got a taste for tech entrepreneurship while living in Chicago and brought that dream to life with her brother, and partner in crime, Daniel.
Rosalie is driven to use technology to level the playing field and bring down barriers between people and opportunity. With Ellipsis Drive she works to make spatial insights easily accessible for all. Removing the steep technical and financial prerequisites that keeps people from informed decision making today. Rosalie believes that, for the betterment of people and planet, open data is good, accessible data is better, and unrestricted collaboration is best.
When Rosalie isn’t working she still enjoys filling up an empty canvas, and when she isn’t home, she still likes to stretch her legs. Only now having replaced sports with mountain climbing and trekking through the arctic. Always accompanied by the people she trusts most, including her brother and her wife.
Dr. Spencer Ziegler
Spencer has over 18 years of experience in the space industry where he has covered the functional areas of research and development, spacecraft operations, business development, and executive management. His professional experience has been built up at the University of Manchester, European Space Operations Center, CGI and now SCISYS. His executive management within SCISYS includes strategy, business development, operations management, and mergers and acquisitions.
Spencer received his B.Eng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Edinburgh and his Ph.D. in Advanced Space Propulsion from the University of Glasgow.