Speakers struck a hopeful tone at SATELLITE 2022’s opening luncheon keynote, focused on NASA’s future in Low-Earth Orbit and the space industry’s climate opportunities.
Dennis Stone, NASA project executive, emphasized commercial collaboration in LEO — with SpaceX, Boeing, Sierra Space, Northrop Grumman, Axiom, and Blue Origin among partners. “Microgravity is such an amazing tool. Learning in the microgravity of space and applying that knowledge back to Earth can create an incredible new window.” NASA’s Commercial LEO Development Program (CLDP), established at Johnson Space Center in 2020, consolidates commercialization activities. “We’re working with industry to make it happen” — moving from cargo to crew.
Explore the Show Daily 2022 Day 2 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
In a fireside chat, Ann Kim of SVB Financial Group and Chad Anderson of Space Capital focused on climate tech investing. “Global challenges require global solutions. And satellites play an enabling role. Space is the technology from which we can understand and address these challenges,” said Anderson. A Space Capital/SVB report projects $50+ billion in climate tech equity funding in 2021 alone.
Anderson cited the gap between self-reported and independently verified emissions data: “We need more measurements and more transparent data. Satellites enable us to do that.” Kim noted that climate funds close faster than other funds: “It’s really an opportunistic time to join these efforts and come into the climate space.” Anderson concluded: “You can only understand and address the risks of climate change with satellites. This is the perfect use case.” VS
