Speakers

Jan Vermeiren graduated from the University of Leuven in 1979 as Academic engineer with speciality micro-electronics on a dissertation about: “Development of a system to measure speed of cars based on a CCD camera and a micro-controller”.  Following his studies he was research assistant at KU Leuven, developing 2D analog filters and optimizing the CCD process.

In 1984 he joined imec, Leuven, where he was responsible for the CCD and CMOS group developing ROICs (CCD as well as CMOS) for Infrared imagers.  Major realisations were made with AIM-Heilbronn, Elettronica – Roma, MBB – Munich, ETH – Zurich and for the ISOPHOT instrument.

In 1994 he joined OIP-Delft Instruments were he was responsible for the R&D activities on the Belgian site in Oudenaarde and he was product manager for Image Intensifier based night vision equipment for the detached solder and for weapon sites.

In 1998 he joined INNOTEK in Geel, Belgium, where he was contribution to the regional development as a technology manager.

In 2000 he was co-founder of Xenics, Leuven, where he was CTO, responsible for the development of InGaAs SWIR image sensors and cameras as well as for uncooled thermal cameras.  In 2010, he became scientific advisor and business development manager, where he was managing several FP7, Eurostars, Horizon 2020 projects in the field of plasmonics, hyperspectral imaging and radiation hardening.  He developed also the image sensors for Egyptsat-1, Sich-2, Eartchcare (both BBR and MSI) and Proba-V.

In 2015 he joined Caeleste in Mechelen, Belgium as partner and Business Development Manager, responsible for marketing and sales.  He grew the company from a turn-over of 2 M€ to 10 M€.  the main developed market segments are Space & Scientific image sensors, Industrial imagers, Photonic devices for Medical and life science and ToF based automotive sensors.  He is specialized in Gamma and X-ray imaging, Electron detectors and UV, Vis, NIR detectors.

Ane Aanesland is a Norwegian deep-tech entrepreneur and co-founder of ThrustMe, a scale-up providing hihgly integrated and intelligent propulsion solutions for industrialized satellites. She holds a PhD in plasma physics and previously led a research lab at École Polytechnique, pioneering innovations in electric space propulsion. In 2020, ThrustMe became the first company to demonstrate an iodine-propelled electric propulsion system in space. Today, it operates a large-scale production line, supplying major satellite constellations worldwide. Aanesland’s contributions to science and innovation have earned her the CNRS Innovation Medal (2019) and recognition as an ambassador for France’s 2030 space strategy (2022).

Founder & CEO of Satlyt, Rama Afullo is an ex SpaceX Starlink Product Manager, Cloud Architect and AI Startup Manager at Google,Telco Business Lead at Tesla, and holds two degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Business Management from the University of Cape Town. Rama dropped out of a Masters in Space Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University to pursue his endeavors in space.

Marco Agnan holds a PhD from Paris-Saclay University in Astrophysics and Space Engineering, a Master in Plasma Science and a Master of Engineering for Space-Based Systems Engineering from Sorbonne University.

He is the CTO and Co-Founder of Odysseus Space, a company of 25 persons based in Luxembourg, providing laser communication as a service for satellite operators in LEO. He has more than 10 years of experience in technical management and systems engineering for CubeSat projects as well as for technology developments for smallsats, such as electrical propulsion, autonomous navigation, and laser communication.

Additionally, he is also part of the Technical Program Committee of 2 key conferences about laser communication: the International Conference on Space Optics (ICSO), co-organized between ESA and CNES, as well as the International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications (ICSOS) organized by IEEE. He is also a private pilot and passionate about aerospace in general.

Jeanne serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at Exolaunch, the global leader in launch services, mission management, integration services, and deployment technologies for small satellites. With over a decade of experience in the commercial launch segment, Jeanne spearheads the company’s business development and sales strategy, driving growth and solidifying the Exolaunch’s leading position in the New Space launch sector. Jeanne has played a pivotal role in launching over 600 customer satellites across 33 missions (as of February, 2025) to LEO/SSO/GEO/deep space of global launch vehicles for space agencies, universities, scientific institutions, and commercial companies. Under her leadership, Exolaunch has seen exceptional growth, establishing flight heritage across major international launch vehicles and introducing industry-leading launch and deployment technologies to the market. Her efforts have expanded Exolaunch’s customer base, facilitated partnerships with industry giants, and enabled the company to support large constellation deployments, unlocking valuable data from space.

Jarkko Antila is the CEO of Kuva Space, a pioneering Finnish Earth observation company. He has a strong background in deep-tech entrepreneurship and a proven track record in product innovation, fundraising, and effective leadership. Jarkko’s experience includes leading technology teams at renowned organizations like the Finnish Research Center (VTT) and Inficon. In 2014 he co-founded Spectral Engines, a successful spectral sensor company, where he served as CEO for six years before its exit. Prior to his role at Kuva Space, Jarkko founded Leaping Boulder, a deep-tech business consultancy firm.

With a Master’s degree in Space Technology, he has been involved in various space projects, including the development of hyperspectral payloads for satellite missions such as OMI and Aalto-1. Jarkko brings his extensive expertise and passion for space technology to drive innovation and business growth at Kuva Space.

With over 18 years of international and domestic space, public policy, and management experience, Krystal Azelton (nee Wilson) is the Senior Director, Program Planning at Secure World Foundation, a private, operating foundation dedicated to the secure and sustainable use of space. There, she focuses provides support for organizational strategic goals and program planning as well on the Human and Environmental Security initiative, which promotes improved governance and cooperation in the delivery and use of information derived from space systems. In this role, she represents herself and the organization at the United Nations, the Group on Earth Observation, and at topical conferences, events and workshops around the world.

Daniel Bock is the CEO and co-founder of Morpheus Space, a pioneering company in satellite propulsion technology.

He co-founded Morpheus Space in 2018, emerging from a research project at the Dresden University of Technology. Under his leadership, the company has developed innovative FEEP propulsion systems, leading to the first successfully tested propulsion system on a nano satellite, the first collision avoidance maneuver in space, and the first HaaS contract for propulsion.

Today, Morpheus Space is building and delivering GO-2, a modular and highly efficient propulsion system enabling space mobility through a satellite’s entire lifecycle, designed to meet the growing demand for satellite mobility.

Daniel has been instrumental in positioning Morpheus Space as a key player in the space industry, driving the company’s rapid growth and technological advancements.

Timothy (“Tim”) Bransford provides guidance to clients on satellite and wireless regulatory issues before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and international regulators. He provides advice on regulations pertaining to the launch and operation of communications, deep space research, and imaging satellite networks. Tim also assists clients in coordinating and obtaining approval to operate satellite ground stations and terrestrial wireless networks.

Cyril (Cy) Brennan focuses his practice on international trade and national security regulatory and compliance matters, with an emphasis on U.S. export controls, economic sanctions, and foreign direct investment matters. Cy provides clients experience across a broad array of U.S. international trade regulatory frameworks, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the various U.S. sanctions programs administered by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of Commerce’s anti-boycott regulations. His clients include a wide of array of companies in the aerospace, defense, space and hi-tech sectors.

Cy also assists clients in complex matters involving the national security regulatory space. He focuses on representing clients before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) in the context of mergers and acquisitions, as well as private equity, real estate, and venture capital investments. In this capacity he also advises on the National Industrial Security Program, including negotiating foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) mitigation instruments with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA).

Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, Cy served in the United States Senate in a foreign relations capacity, and later worked in-house at one of the world’s largest aerospace and defense companies.

Alan Campbell is a Principal Space Products Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services (AWS). His focus is on empowering customers with innovative new Cloud-based scalable solutions for the Aerospace & Satellite segment. Alan specializes in Data Analytics / ML enabling key insights in Satellite Communications, Earth Observation, and IoT platforms.

Prior to joining AWS, Alan directed the Panasonic Avionics Satellite Engineering team, delivering premium QoE to Inflight passengers. He led a major Cloud & Data migration of 100+ applications resulting in cost savings and SLA improvements.

Alan’s experience ranges from a Fellowship award at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, to authoring a book on Embedded Systems at Texas Instruments. He holds multiple Cloud certifications, satellite credentials and patents.

Carissa Bryce Christensen is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of BryceTech, LLC, based in Alexandria, VA. She previously co-founded defense contractor The Tauri Group, acquired by LMI in 2019, and quantum computing software firm QxBranch, acquired by Rigetti Computing in 2019. She is an active tech investor and has served on several early-stage boards.

Ms. Christensen is an internationally recognized expert on the satellite and space industry, known for rigorous analysis and innovative, data-driven strategy. She is a Senior Advisor to the annual US Space Force Schriever Wargame. She serves on the Senior Advisory Council of the Aerospace Corporation Center for Space Policy and Strategy, serves on the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Space, and chairs the US board of the UN-affiliated Space Generation Advisory Council. She is a founding member of the Future Space Leaders Foundation and chairs its Advisory Board. Ms. Christensen previously served on the National Research Council Space Technology Industry-Government-University Roundtable, which advises NASA, and served on the Space Committee of the Defense Innovation Board.

Ms. Christensen is a Harvard Business School Entrepreneur-in-Residence. She guest lectures at universities including Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. She has testified before Congress and Parliament committees on the space industry. She publishes extensively, is often cited by major media outlets, and has appeared in commercial space documentaries by The Financial Times, Bloomberg and HBO.

Ms. Christensen is a graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School, where she specialized in science and technology policy. She attended the London School of Economics and was a Douglass Scholar at Rutgers University. She is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Ms. Christensen was named 2023 Executive of the Year (Up to $75M) at the Greater Washington GovCon Awards.

With over 25 years of experience in satellite communications and regulations at international level, Mr Ciccorossi is the Head of the Space Strategy and Sustainability Division at the ITU Radiocommunications Bureau. His team is dedicated to monitor and ensure the effective and precise deployment of satellites in geostationary and non geostationary orbits in conformity with the Radio Regulations, as well as the treatment of cases of harmful interference affecting space services.

Mr. Ciccorossi advises ITU Member States, Sectors Members and ITU intersectoral groups on technical regulatory matters of space services, including those related to space sustainability activities in the context of ITU and the Radiocommunication Bureau.

Prior to the current position, he has taken the following responsibilities:

–          Acting Head of the Satellite Systems Coordination Division at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

–          Chairman of the 22nd. International Space Radio Monitoring Meeting (ISRMM), September 2021.

• Spokesperson on satellites issues representing the Radiocommunications Bureau at the World Radiocommunications Conference 2023 and at the Radio Regulations Board
• Counsellor of DG-Plenary at the CPM-2023 and WG-6C at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2012.

–          Represented the ITU Radiocommunications Bureau at WRCs since 2003, as well as at several regional and international fora, including Space Debris Conference, CITEL, ICAO, International Astronautical Congress, Eurocontrol, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Forum Europe, US Small Satellite Symposium, the Regulatory Expert Group of the ISRMM, IEEE and ITU Study Groups.

–          Responsible for the analysis of GSO and NGSO satellite systems submitted to ITU for coordination and notification, and the treatment of cases of harmful interference.

Mr. Ciccorossi has conceived the first (and unique) Intergovernmental Online Platform to Report RFI cases affecting Satellite System (SIRRS), assisting 194 ITU Member States in its resolution.

He holds the degree of engineer in electronics from the National University of Technology (UTN) in Buenos Aires, an Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US, and has studied satellite communications and spacecraft design at the University of Surrey in the UK.

Mike Collett is Founder and Managing Partner of Promus Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Chicago, San Francisco and Luxembourg investing in deep-technology startups. Mike has been a venture capital investor in software and hardware for more than 20 years. Mike has served on numerous Boards of Directors, including Rocket Lab, Spire Global, ICEYE, Halter, Lunar Outpost, Chef Robotics, Gauss Surgical, Recycleye, and others.

Prior to Promus Ventures, Mike was Founder and Managing Partner of Masters Capital Nanotechnology Fund, a venture capital firm. While working at Masters Capital, a hedge fund, Mike invested in private technology software and hardware companies. Prior to venture capital, Mike was a Vice President in Merrill Lynch’s Mergers & Acquisitions group.

Mike holds a BA in Math and BA in English from Vanderbilt University. He also holds a MBA in Finance from Washington University in St. Louis.

Mike and his wife Paige have four children and live in Chicago.

Meagan Murphy Crawford, MBA, is a distinguished entrepreneur, space industry pioneer, and business leader renowned for her transformative contributions to the aerospace sector and startup ecosystem. As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SpaceFund, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage space enterprises, Meagan has established herself as a visionary in the commercialization of space technologies. With over two decades of experience, she combines her expertise in business education, executive leadership, and investment to drive innovation and empower the next generation of space entrepreneurs.

Erik de Bie is an attorney-at-law focused on international trade, customs and VAT matters. Erik counsels clients in European trade, export control, sanctions, customs and VAT related matters. He also represents clients in litigation.

He concentrates his practice on compliance with EU trade, sanctions and compliance rules. He assists companies to lawfully export goods, technology, and services around the globe, prioritizing practical, workable strategies for complex regulatory situations, including compliance with the growing number of sanctions. Conducting and managing internal reviews and risk mitigation are an important focus area.

Erik advises clients in customs, VAT and related matters, including support with setting up and restructuring distribution. and supply chains. Erik is regularly representing companies in (cross-border) consultations with the authorities, including disclosure matters.

Erik is experienced companies before Dutch Tax and Customs Courts, the Dutch Supreme Court, the European Commission, and the European Court of Justice.

Bio and headshot already provided last week.

Dr Mekhi Dhesi is Account Executive at Slingshot Aerospace Ltd. Slingshot Aerospace is a world-leader in commercial SSA/SDA data and associated insights. With its HQ in the U.S., Mekhi is responsible for boosting Slingshot’s capabilities to the European and Canadian markets.
Mekhi previously worked for Astroscale Ltd. as their Space-Based SSA Strategy Lead, where she led several UK MOD funded studies into space-based SSA sensing technologies and mission concepts.
Mekhi holds a PhD in Theoretical Astrophysics from the University of Southampton, an MSc in Theoretical Physics from Kings College London and a BSc in Physics from University College London.

Ranked as a Band 2 attorney by Chambers UK for her sanctions experience, and as a Leading Partner by Legal 500 UK for her international trade work, Aline Doussin leads the International Trade and Investment team in London. As a triple-qualified lawyer (Avocat au Barreau de Paris and Solicitor in England and Wales, and registered with the Milan bar), she represents companies on the full range of international trade law and policy issues, including export controls, sanctions, anti-money laundering, customs, and trade remedies.. Additionally, Aline advises companies with respect to Foreign Direct Investment screening in France and the UK, as well as advises on national security laws in those jurisdictions. She provides clients with the full spectrum of support ranging from advisory, advocacy, audits, investigations, and litigation.
Aline has particular expertise in the space and satellite sector, and supports companies operating in this heavily regulated industry on all aspects of their international trade operations. Her support ranges from export controls, customs, and sanctions compliance. Aline has specific experience representing compliance in obtaining Foreign Direct Investment screening clearances for space and satellite companies.
Representative Experience:
• Advising SES on the USD 3.1b purchase of Intelsat.
• Advising on FDI for Gogo Inc’s $375million acquisition of Satcom Direct.
• Advised ALL.SPACE Networks, a satellite communications company, on a series of pre-revenue equity fundraisings.
In 2019, she was appointed by the UK Government to the Department of International Trade (“DIT”) – Expert Trade Advisory Group.

Dr Marco Esposito is Managing Director at cosine Remote Sensing.

Marco completed his PhD in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Naples, specializing in airborne remote sensing for air quality and land management. Having worked on various aerospace projects in Italy, most recently as coordinator of the Environmental Research Aircraft Lab of the Italian National Research Council, Marco moved to the Netherlands.

Marco spent almost 4 years at ESA ESTEC as calibration engineer first, in the science department working on EUV to IR sensors calibration for future planetary missions, and then as performance engineer in the Earth Observation department working on Sentinel 5 Precursor spectrometer TROPOMI.

Marco has been involved in a variety of research and development activities at cosine, all focusing on the miniaturization of optical instruments for Earth Observation and miniaturized suites of instruments for planetary exploration. Marco has been leading the development of space products including space Lidars for vegetation and bathymetry, as well as intelligent spectral imagers for EO from small satellites. He has produced more than 40 scientific publications, either as first author or as a co-author.

Having gained experience as system and performance engineer, project manager, program manager and team leader at cosine, Marco became managing director of cosine Remote Sensing as well as of the Italian branch of cosine.

Marco led the commercialization of the hyperspectral product line at cosine, the first ever miniaturized class of imagers able to connect hyperspectral, thermal imaging and artificial intelligence techniques in one compact solution for the Earth observation market.

Marco is currently leading the scale-up of the remote sensing business at cosine as well as the setup of the space factory for the series production of smart remote sensing instruments for Earth Observation.

Ron Faith is a serial entrepreneur returning to the space industry after stints in cloud computing and mobile commerce. Most recently Ron was the CEO of Datacastle, a cloud based endpoint data protection company acquired by Carbonite last year. Prior to Datacastle, Ron worked at Apple Computer where he launched Apple’s first standalone Internet product in the mid-90’s. Ron is a published author and patent owner. Ron graduated from the University of Washington with a Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering where he performed research for Boeing’s Aerospace and Defense group in frequency selective surfaces. Ron attained his Bachelors degree from Dartmouth College where he double-majored in Engineering Sciences and Philosophy.

Lubos Fedora serves as the Senior Sales & Business Development Manager at Mynaric, where he oversees commercial customers and programs across EMEA and APAC. Based in Germany, he is responsible for developing tailored solutions for existing customers while driving new business opportunities.

With more than a decade of experience in the aerospace industry, Lubos combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of customer requirements for complex missions.

Before joining Mynaric, he worked at Honeywell Aerospace and Airinmar in the United Kingdom.

Lubos holds a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Manchester.

Julián Fernández is the CEO of FOSSA Systems, a Spanish and Portuguese scaleup which connects low-power IoT devices directly from space for industrial use cases using LoRa and has already launched 20 satellites since 2022. Julián has experience in remote asset management, LoRa communications, IoT deployments and space infrastructure, having launched the first Spanish picosatellite FOSSASAT-1 in 2019 at the age of 16 and later founding FOSSA Systems as a company at 17. He was chosen as a Forbes 30 under 30 in 2022. He has a background in telecommunications engineering, LPWAN technologies and satellite IoT networks. FOSSA has an office in Madrid and Lisbon.

Araz Feyzi is the Co-founder and CTO of Kayhan Space. Kayhan Space is a software company focused on making spaceflight safer by delivering next-generation autonomous spaceflight capabilities. Araz has a master’s in Information Systems and has been a part of two successful startups. He has over 10 years of experience in technology and analytics working for startups, as well as Fortune 500 companies.

Marino Fragnito has joined AVIO in September 2024 as Chief Commercial Officer, he also manages the new Launch Service division of the company, taking over responsibility from Arianespace for the exploitation of the Vega family launchers.
Between March 2016 and September 2024, he was Senior Vice President at Arianespace and member of the Executive Committee. As head of Vega Business Unit he managed the overall Vega activities and controlled its associated Profit & Loss.
From January 2009 until March 2016 he served at the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites EUMETSAT as Launch Services Manager. He previously covered different positions in industry, he began his career in Cannes, at Alcatel Space Industries, as mechanical engineer on telecom satellite projects and then joined ELV, European Launch Vehicle, an AVIO and Italian Space Agency company, in 2003 where he was later appointed Head of Mechanical Systems Development in the frame of the Vega development program. Before joining EUMETSAT he was also Head of the launcher design department at AVIO.
Marino Fragnito is an Aeronautical Engineer and holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Science and Technology.

Dr. Diana Gamzina is the founder and CEO of Elve, an innovative company at the forefront of millimeter wave technology.

Dr. Gamzina is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of Elve, guiding the company in its mission to innovate and deliver advanced amplifier solutions for ground and space communications, imaging, radar, energy, and defense markets. Dr. Gamzina has been instrumental in positioning Elve as a key player in state-of-the-art technologies that enable growth of commercial telecom markets and support deployments essential for national security applications.

Prior to Elve, Dr. Gamzina was a staff scientist at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory for five years and a development engineer at the UC Davis millimeter-wave research group for over eight years. She has led research and development programs in micro to nano scale as well as additive manufacturing techniques, multiscale multifunctional materials synthesis, and thermo-mechanical design and analysis for development of compact high frequency and high-power RF sources.

Dr. Gamzina earned a M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, has received the Early Career Research Award from the U.S. Department of Energy, and holds thirteen patents related to the manufacture of vacuum electronic devices.

Holding a Master’s Degree in Space and Astronautical Engineering, Mr Flavio Giudice has spent his whole career in the Space business, starting in national industry, then at the European Space Agency, and lastly working for NATO, in both military headquarters and at NCIA. Mr Giudice has been one of the pioneers of the NATO Space Domain, contributing to the development of NATO’s Space policies and working on the standing up of NATO’s Space operational capabilities. In his current role of deputy head of NCIA’s Space branch, named Space Technology Adoption and Resilience (STAR), he manages a wide series of activities, ranging from capability development to direct support to military operations with Space products and services. His portfolio includes the standing up and management of multinational initiatives such as the Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space programme, and integrating technology advancements in NATO’s architecture.

Paul Gouws is CTO at ETL Systems, which designs and manufactures RF equipment for critical satellite communications, trusted by the top 20 satellite operators and teleports.

Paul joined ETL Systems in 2018, bringing over 20 years of experience in the satellite communications industry.

In that time, he has taken lead roles in the design and development of industry-leading avionics SATCOM terminals, spacecraft RF systems and satellite ground segment equipment, covering both ends of the SATCOM link.

Ralph Grundler is leading the US Space BD and R&D at Aitech Systems, the leading supplier of rad-hard and rugged embedded electronic systems.

An experienced professional, Ralph has a long history in the engineering, business development and marketing of semiconductors, IP, SoCs, FPGAs, computers and embedded systems. Before joining Aitech Systems, he worked at Flex Logix, the leading supplier of rad-hard eFPGA technology and Synopsys, working with Space and AI ASIC developers and IP prototyping hardware as well as business development.
He has done many video and live presentations on a wide variety of technical subjects. He has 30 years of computer, semiconductor, space, and AI industry experience.

As the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Isar Aerospace, Stella Guillen is responsible for all Strategy, Business Development, Sales, and Marketing activities. Stella’s background spans the satellite industry, from telecommunications to launch services.
From 2010 to 2016, Stella built up and oversaw sales efforts and client relationships for SpaceX. She joined the company at an early stage of the Falcon 9 / Falcon Heavy program, signing SpaceX’s first European customers such as SES, Inmarsat, Eutelsat, Hispasat, and others, winning more than $1B in sales. Stella worked in different Business Development and Sales positions: for Arianespace, Inc. and Spaceflight Industries, she managed all aspects of the launch services sales and marketing activities for customers and some of the largest satellite fleet operators such as SES, Intelsat, and satellite service providers such as Spacenet and Verestar, she opened new markets worldwide extending their customer base and raising company valuation.
She holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University.

Stewart is Sales Director for Telespazio in Germany. Graduating with a degree in Systems Engineering in 1992, Stewart trained and worked as a software engineer and ground systems architect until 2014, helping develop ground segment systems for many well-known space programmes, including: Rosetta comet chaser, Mars Express and Beagle 2, Galileo FOC, Meteosat Third Generation and OneWeb. From 2019 until 2024 he was Deputy Head of Strategy and Sales at Thales Alenia Space in the UK.

Scott Hill has over 20 years experience in network test and performance measurement having worked as a test design and automation specialist for Juniper, Cisco, Ixia and now Keysight. Scott joined the DIFI consortium in 2024 and manages Keysight’s development effort for packetized RF with respect to DIFI.

Dustin Holohan leads Business Development & Sales at Dawn Aerospace, where he bridges cutting-edge satellite propulsion technologies with the needs of operators worldwide. With a passion for sustainable space innovations, Dustin excels at building partnerships that drive industry growth and unlock new opportunities for satellite operators and mission planners.
Known for his technical expertise, strategic mindset and collaborative approach, Dustin is dedicated to helping customers achieve their goals with solutions that prioritize performance, sustainability and reliability with bold sights on the future of refuelling in space.

George John ensures regulations do not disrupt innovation and investment for established and emerging technologies particularly in the aerospace, telecommunications, sports, medical, and mobility industries.

Technologies empowering satellite connectivity, smartphone downloads, the monitoring of ball trajectory and speed or athlete biometrics at sporting events, real-time telehealth applications, and drone deliveries encounter U.S. and international regulation.

Operators of these and similar platforms regularly rely on George to navigate related legal, policy, and technical challenges. He advises clients on radiofrequency (RF) spectrum use, orbital debris mitigation, and remote sensing licensing while engaging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, national administrations outside the United States, and international standards bodies, including the International Telecommunication Union. Those interactions have helped him shape and streamline regulations on RF spectrum, the safety and sustainability of space, and Earth imagery; negotiate RF spectrum rights at international fora; and complete associated due diligence for venture-capital and private-equity investments.

Before joining Hogan Lovells, George served as in-house regulatory and transactional counsel for a pioneering nanosatellite company, where he secured satellite, earth station, and remote sensing licenses and negotiated satellite launch and insurance agreements. Other previous stops include the FCC’s International Bureau Satellite Division, where he tackled satellite and earth station licensing and rulemakings, and the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Chief Counsel, where he undertook commercial space launch, reentry, launch site operation, and other aviation regulation projects.

Outside of work, George actively mentors young lawyers and others interested in space, telecommunications, and technology.

Dallas is a Principal Analyst and Programme Head with Analysys Mason. There, he leads the company’s research and analysis on Space Infrastructure, including satellite manufacturing, launch, in-orbit services, lunar and more. Other areas of expertise include Earth observation and flat panel antennas.

A corporate partner and satellite practice co-head, Steve Kaufman uses industry knowledge and versatility to negotiate and close many types of deals globally.

For 18 of his 30 years at the firm, Steve served as outside general counsel for satellite clients, leading strategic joint ventures, “bet-the-company” contracts, financings, and M&A.

What Steve does best: understanding complex business issues and translating them into legal documents. If a client can describe something, Steve can draft it. Working from complicated to simple, he has many times reduced a lengthy contract into a few pages of bullet points, showing the client what it needs and how to obtain it. He has even written a business and financing model for parties in the form of an agreement. Many clients comment that the business guidance from Steve is as valuable as the legal advice.

Steve relies on his familiarity with issues common to satellite and communications companies to give him an edge in negotiations. This experience produces extra benefits when Steve deals with specialized satellite contract terms, targeted warranties, creative covenants, use of insurance to close gaps, license and spectrum issues, and even finance and accounting matters. According to Chambers Steve Kaufman is “a real authority and somebody who will always know the answer.”

In advising clients, Steve emphasizes practicality, striving to achieve the client’s business objectives for the transaction, whether economic, risk reduction, regulatory/compliance, or transaction speed. This carries over into deal management as well as negotiations, where he willingly takes the lead. Steve and satellite practice co-head Randy Segal are regulars at the satellite conferences, making connections among clients and even adverse parties. He is listed in Chambers, Super Lawyers, and Legal 500.

Obtained a BsC in electronics in 1983 from HTS Den Bosch.

Worked 2.5 years as an instrumentation engineer at the Netherland Institute for Sea Research NIOZ.

Worked 14 years as an electronics designer/Systems Engineer on electro optical equipment for defence application for the company Oldelft (Nowadays Thales Electro Optics). Experience gained was mainly in relation to thermal infrared imaging and stabilized mirror head systems.

Worked for 11 years as a Systems Engineer at the space department of TNO in Delft on various subjects ranging from miniature instruments for space applications to scientific imagers like OMI and Earthcare MSI as well as several subsystems for ASML wafer stepper equipment’s and adaptive optics.

Started working on Sunsensors in 2003 after writing the proposal for the first single chip true digital Sunsensor of TNO as part of the MicroNed program.

Started Lens Research & Development in 2012 after having worked on reaction wheels at Bradford Engineering for a year.  The company (now called Lens R&D B.V. is specialized in high reliability Sunsensors for space application the majority of which are fully ESA qualified. In progress to develop a single chip radiation hardened true digital Sunsensor that is acceptable for ESA but can be cost effectively produced through optimisation for volume production. (development in frame of an ESA advanced research for telecom (ARTES) contract with support of the Dutch national space agency NSO).

Promotor of the Space-grade Commercial Off The Shelf (SCOTS) concept.

Chiara Manfletti is the Chief Executive Officer at Neuraspace and the Professor of Space Propulsion and Mobility at the Technical University of Munich. At the early stage of her career, she worked for the German Aerospace Center, DLR, as a research engineer and later joined the European Space Agency (ESA) where she was the Programme Advisor to the Director General at the agency’s headquarters in Paris. She was nominated as the first President of the then just founded Portuguese national space agency, Portugal Space. During her professional tenure, Chiara later headed the Policy and Programmes Coordination department at the ESA, prior to joining Neuraspace.

Dr. Tanja Masson-Zwaan is Assistant Professor and Deputy Director of the International Institute of Air and Space Law at Leiden University, and President Emerita of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL). She is a Vice President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).

She co-authored ‘Introduction to Space Law’ (5th ed., Kluwer 2025) and chairs the Board of Editors of Kluwer’s journal Air and Space Law. Her PhD dissertation ‘Widening the Horizons of Outer Space Law’ was published in the Meijers Series of Leiden Law School.

Tanja advises the Dutch Government and other institutions on space law issues and was co-founder of the Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group. The Dutch Government appointed her as an arbitrator for space-related disputes at the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Tanja teaches at universities worldwide and was appointed Adjunct Professor at Wuhan University (China) and as Global Faculty at International Space University (ISU). She serves on various organisations’ (Advisory) Boards, including Open Lunar Foundation, the Interplanetary Initiative of Arizona State University, and the Space Sustainability Rating.

She is an elected full member of professional associations such as IISL, the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Law Association (ILA). She was a Member of the Founding Boards of the European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) and of Women in Aerospace-Europe, and is an Honorary Board Member of Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC).

Tanja received several awards and is a Member of Honour of the Netherlands Space Society (NVR). In 2020 she received a Royal decoration as ‘Officer in the Order of Orange Nassau’ for her work in space law.

Sven Meyer-Brunswick is a Principal at Alpine Space Ventures.

Prior to Alpine Space Ventures, Sven served as part of the executive team for space laser communication company Mynaric. During his more than 7-year tenure with Mynaric, he led all investor relations activities of the publicly listed company and orchestrated more than a dozen capital market transactions securing over $250 million growth capital from public and private markets, including two successful IPOs on both Nasdaq and the Frankfurt stock exchange.

Sven also shaped Mynaric’s communications strategy and led all marketing, public relations, and internal communications activities, ensuring a cohesive and compelling message for the company, introducing a new brand to the market and establishing its reputation in the industry. During Sven’s tenure, Mynaric grew from a team of 30 to more than 300 and evolved from a garage-shop prototype developer into an industry-leading scale-up with the industry’s largest customer backlog and a defensible moat for the years to come.

Before joining the space industry, Sven acquired a Master’s degree in Photonics Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science from the Technical University of Munich. He’s also been a visiting scholar of the London School of Economics, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology and the Nanyang Technical University of Singapore and has a long history of engagement with the local startup communities.

Renato Panesi, an entrepreneur with a strong background in B2B marketing and sales, is co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of D-Orbit.

In 2002, after getting an MSc degree in Aerospace Engineering, he joined Finmeccanica/Leonardo, an Italian multinational aerospace and defense firm, where he worked in R&D as aerodynamics and flight control systems engineer first and as project manager later.

In 2008 Renato got a PhD, with honors, in Advanced Flight Control systems. In 2009 he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to attend a Technology Entrepreneurship program at Santa Clara University, California, with additional courses and seminars at UC Berkeley and Stanford. A year later, after successfully completing the program, Renato got an internship position at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California.

In 2011, Renato came back to Italy, where he co-founded D-Orbit. At the same time, he became marketing & sales Area Manager at Finmeccanica/Leonardo, in charge of sales activities of defense products in the Asia-Pacific region. After proudly signing various multi-million-dollar contracts, in 2015 Renato left Finmeccanica/Leonardo to start working full-time at D-Orbit as Chief Commercial Officer.

Stephen Propst helps clients in navigating complex issues under U.S. export controls, economic sanctions and related national security regulations. He brings industry sector knowledge and a commitment to practical, business-focused solutions to his relationships with aerospace & defense, space and satellite, telecommunications, automotive, advanced computing and higher education clients.

Stephen has a wealth of experience advising clients regarding a full range of regulatory and enforcement matters under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and the sanctions regulations administered by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). He is also advising automotive and drone industry clients extensively on the rapidly expanding Commerce Department regulations applicable to Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS). Since 2017, he has led Hogan Lovells’ representation of ZTE Corporation in the implementation in its landmark settlement agreements with the U.S. Government, among the largest export enforcement cases and corporate monitorships in U.S. history.

Stephen has particular strength and experience in advising telecommunications and space industry clients, including manufacturers and operators of communications satellites, remote sensing satellites, space-based logistics vehicles, ground system manufacturers, as well as launch services providers and communications equipment suppliers.

In 2014, Stephen wrote a groundbreaking legal analysis that was presented at the Brookings Institution and served as the roadmap for President Obama’s historic changes to the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

Stephen previously served as the Co-Chair of Hogan Lovells’ global matched charitable giving campaign. He also served as member of the Board of Directors of Gifts for the Homeless, a non-profit charitable organization that donates money and clothing to benefit the homeless in the Washington, D.C. area.

Practices: International Trade and Investment; Space and Satellite; Sovereigns

Education: J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1998; M.P.P., Duke University, 1998; B.A., Princeton University, 1992

Recognitions: Recognized by Chambers Global for Export Controls and Sanctions (2020-2025); Recognized by Chambers USA for Export Controls and Sanctions (2019-2023)

Chris Quilty
Co-CEO and President
Chris Quilty began making his footprint in the satellite & space sector as a trusted authority, media pundit, and twice-recognized Wall Street Journal “Best on the Street” analyst more than two decades ago while serving as a sell-side analyst for Raymond James. Chris initiated coverage on the space industry in the mid-2000s and has subsequently published hundreds of company-specific, macro, sector, and thematic research reports. Leveraging his vast space industry knowledge and a commitment to thought-leading research, Chris co-founded Quilty Space (formerly Quilty Analytics) in 2016. He is regarded as a valued source of industry insight across all verticals of the space ecosystem — from manufacturing and launch through satcom, EO, hardware, and downstream analytics. He is a frequent consultant to the full range of satellite & space investors and stakeholders, from leading prime contractors and government agencies to satellite operators and technology companies. Chris earned a B.S. in Systems Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and an MBA from The University of Chicago.

Raycho Raychev, Founder & CEO of EnduroSat

‣ Founder, Space Challenges Program – Leading space educational platform for Space Science and Engineering (2010)
‣ Master of Sciences – Space Management, International Space University
‣ Innovation and Growth Program, Stanford University & Endeavor
‣ Scaling Entrepreneurial Ventures Program, Harvard University & Endeavor

Awards and recognitions

‣ MIT Tech Review Innovators under 35, Forbes 30 under 30, New Europe 100 – Google and Financial Times ranking
‣ Karman Project, Class of 2023 (organization for global leaders in space technology)
‣ Entrepreneur of the Year 2023, Forbes Innovation Awards
‣ CEO of 2024, Forbes Business Awards

Noel Rimalovski is a Managing Director at GH Partners, an independent New York-based investment banking firm. Mr. Rimalovski leads the firm’s representation of mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, debt financings, and strategic advisory services to domestic and international clients. At GH, Mr. Rimalovski specializes in the telecom, media, technology, space and defense sectors.

Prior to joining GH, Mr. Rimalovski was with Macquarie Capital, Wasserstein Perella, and Lazard Frères.

Mr. Rimalovski graduated from Tufts College and received an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Thomas Sinn – Founder & CEO of Dcubed

Dr. Thomas Sinn is the Founder and CEO of Dcubed, a pioneering company specializing in high-performance deployable space hardware. Under his leadership, Dcubed has established itself as a key player in the New Space industry, delivering innovative solutions in release actuators, solar arrays, antennas, and in-space manufacturing (ISM).

With a background in aerospace engineering and extensive experience in space structures, Thomas has driven Dcubed’s growth from a startup into a trusted supplier for leading satellite manufacturers and space agencies worldwide. His vision for scalable, lightweight, and robust deployable technology has enabled the company to develop cutting-edge products such as the PowerCube and FURY solar arrays, as well as rollable reflectarray antennas like LARA.

Thomas is a strong advocate for European space innovation and in-space manufacturing, positioning Dcubed at the forefront of the transition from Earth-built to space-built infrastructure. His leadership continues to push the boundaries of space hardware development, ensuring that deployable structures play a critical role in the next generation of space missions.

Jörn Spurmann is the Chief Commercial Officer of Rocket Factory Augsburg AG and managing director of RFA Azores. As Rocket Factory’s co-founder he operationalized the company mid of 2018. Mr. Spurmann has a proven track record as head of sales, program and business unit manager in the space domain. Throughout his senior leadership roles, he has gained excellent knowledge of the institutional and commercial space business.

As President of SIA, Tom is the trade association’s lead advocate for regulatory and policy issues of critical importance to SIA’s membership, including spectrum and licensing issues, defense and public safety matters, and export control and international trade issues. He also manages the day-to-day operations of SIA, including member communications, staff leadership and organization of SIA sponsored events. Tom became the president of SIA in December of 2014.

Prior to joining SIA, Tom was with Shared Spectrum Company (SSC), a leading developer of spectrum intelligence technologies, where he served as CEO. For more than a decade, he served as the President of the Personal Communications Industry Association (PCIA). Previous to his position at SSC, he founded and ran several companies in the technology industry, including Columbia Spectrum Management, P-Com Network Services, CSM Wireless, and SquareLoop.

Dr. Sethu Saveda Suvanam is the founder and CEO of ReOrbit, a Finland-based company with the mission of designing the next generation of small satellites for secure communications. Educated in India and Sweden, Sethu Saveda Suvanam is an aerospace engineer. He holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.

In November 2019, he founded ReOrbit with the aim of changing the way satellites are designed and used. ReOrbit develops satellites that are reconfigurable, scalable for different missions, and equipped with autonomous orbital capabilities, to enable space applications where efficiency, sustainability and security are critical.

Drew is a partner in the Washington, DC office of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton and a go-to advisor for technology, telecommunications, aerospace, defense and infrastructure companies navigating today’s complex regulatory landscape. With a focus on fostering innovation and growth while ensuring compliance with regulators at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Drew provides strategic counsel to clients at the forefront of technological advancement, strategic investment and national security.

In particular, Drew specializes in representing space and satellite companies, mobile network operators and cutting-edge technology providers before the FCC, the “Team Telecom” Executive Branch agencies, and CFIUS. His expertise includes FCC compliance, spectrum licensing, and navigating regulatory challenges in telecommunications and satellite communications. Drew’s strategic and practical approach ensures clients stay ahead in dynamic industries defined by rapid innovation and evolving regulatory frameworks.

Andrea Vena brings over 30 years of expertise in the space sector, spanning both industry and institutional roles. With a degree in Electronic Engineering and a Master in Telecommunication Systems, he began his career at Alenia Spazio, now Leonardo.
Since joining ESA in 2000, Andrea has held strategic leadership roles, including Head of the Corporate Strategic Planning Office (2006) and Head of the Corporate Development Office (2016), where he drove the organization’s strategic evolution.
Under his leadership, ESA launched transformative initiatives in strategic planning, corporate risk management and knowledge management, that set industry benchmarks.
Appointed Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer in 2021, Andrea leads ESA’s Green Agenda, aligning the agency’s activities with the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal, fostering sustainability practices across the space sector.
Passionate about innovation, Andrea champions the role of space technologies in addressing global climate challenges and the value of space exploration for the future of humankind on Earth. An advocate of international collaboration, Andrea works across borders to promote sustainability through the promotion of the Statement for a Responsible Space Sector.

Thomas is a space-tech entrepreneur committed to advancing high-agility spacecraft motion control solutions. As the CEO and co-founder of Tensor Tech, he leads system engineering and magnetic field design, driving innovation in Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs) and Spherical Motor Technologies.

Before founding Tensor Tech, Thomas spent years researching CMGs based on Spherical Motors, focusing on enhancing the satellite’s productivity by overcoming the limitations of low speed and acceleration in traditional attitude control systems. With Thomas and his team, Tensor Tech is pioneering new technologies that unlock greater economic values for satellites, empowering the space community to grow and mankind’s capability in utilizing space infrastructures.

Fabien Seince is a seasoned engineer specializing in acoustics and vibrations, with extensive experience in industrial testing and measurement. He holds an engineering degree in Mechanics and Vibrations from Le Mans Université (2011-2014).
Currently, he is a key member of m+p international, focusing on acoustic control (RFAN and DFAN) and advanced vibration testing, including multi-axis testing. He actively supports customers by conducting on-site measurements, providing hands-on training, and helping them optimize their test setups.
Prior to this, he worked at CSTB and dB Vib Consulting, conducting acoustic and vibration expertise for various industrial clients. His expertise includes planning measurement campaigns, managing measurement technicians, and delivering precise analysis to enhance industrial processes.
With a strong background in mechanical engineering and a passion for innovation, Fabien Seince is dedicated to helping industries achieve excellence in acoustic and vibratory testing.