She Reaches: Women in Space, Episode 6 - A Conversation with Kirsten Bartok Touw of New Vista Capital
Release Date: 10/10/2025
Space and Satellite Futures: How Is INTEGRASYS Strengthening Satellite Operations. Through Software-Defined Capability?
SSPI
In this New Member Spotlight episode of the SSPI Podcast, Tamara Bond-Williams welcomes INTEGRASYS and CEO Álvaro Sánchez in a conversation about growth, engagement, and shared purpose within the space and satellite industry. Álvaro discusses how INTEGRASYS approaches satellite operations through software-defined capability, explaining why interference mitigation, spectrum awareness, and operational resilience have become central concerns for satellite operators. He shares how customers are increasingly seeking systems that support long-term decision-making and continuity in complex,...
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Space & Satellite Futures: How Is GOMspace Helping North American Customers Turn Satellites into Mission Capability?
SSPI
In this New Member Spotlight episode of The SSPI Podcast, we welcome GOMspace to the SSPI community and get to know the company behind the name. Tamara Bond-Williams speaks with Slava Frayter, CEO of GOMspace North America, about how GOMspace is helping North American customers turn satellites into mission capability. The conversation explores the company’s approach to bespoke small satellite solutions, including integrated mission design, subsystem reliability, operational support, and long-term sustainability. Frayter also shares why North America is a priority market for GOMspace, how...
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SSPI-WISE Presents: What have five years of SSPI-WISE taught us about building community, mentoring leaders, and widening the pathway into space?
SSPI
Five years ago, in the throes of the global pandemic, a ray of hope was born of the unique vision of then SSPI President Nicole Robinson – that SSPI should have a gathering for the women of the industry. That gathering took place on the evening of December 16th, 2020, while Nicole was President of SSPI. Five years! SSPI-WISE has accomplished so much since then and is looking forward to reaching even higher heights, but it all started with that initial vision. In this SSPI-WISE Presents podcast, based on the panel conducted at the December 16 WISE anniversary meeting, Nicole...
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How Is GovSat Supporting Secure Connectivity for European Governments?
SSPI
In this episode, Tamara Bond-Williams, Executive Director of Space and Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), speaks with Josef Nemec, Technical Director of GovSat, to discuss the importance of secure satellite communications for governmental and institutional users. GovSat, a public-private partnership between the Luxembourg government and SES, operates the GovSat-1 satellite, which provides secure, non-preemptible, and assured communications with features like X-band and military Ka-band capacity and anti-jamming technology. The conversation highlights how GovSat supports...
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How does maritime connectivity actually work–and why is Europe becoming a proving ground for the next generation of satellite mobility?
SSPI
In this episode, Tamara Bond-Williams, Executive Director of Space and Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), speaks with Andreas Nil, Co-Founder and Managing Director of MediaMobil, about how satellite communications at sea have evolved from kilobits to multi-orbit, multi-network systems. The conversation explores how maritime operators use VSAT, GEO, and LEO satellites, global teleport networks, and adaptive gateways to keep ships connected across oceans, ports, and national jurisdictions. Andreas explains how MediaMobil’s Multilink Gateway dynamically switches between satellite...
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How is Europe Rethinking Satellite Connectivity? w/ Craig Bowley
SSPI
In this episode, Tamara Bond-Williams, Executive Director of Space and Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), is joined by Craig Bowley, Regional Vice President of Sales for Europe at ST Engineering iDirect, to launch a new European series focused on the vertical markets shaping connectivity across the region. The conversation explores the macro trends redefining Europe’s satellite landscape, from EU programs like IRIS² and GovSatCom, to the growing importance of secure, interoperable communications for governments, including their defense capabilities, and essential public...
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Space & Satellite Futures: Investing in the Future of Space: Fairfax County’s Role in the Next Economy
SSPI
How does a region become a launchpad for the next space economy? In this New Member Spotlight episode of The SSPI Podcast, Executive Director Tamara Bond-Williams sits down with Victor Hoskins, President and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), one of SSPI’s newest corporate members. Together they explore how Fairfax County’s powerful technology base, world-class universities, and proximity to the U.S. federal government are fueling investment in satellite, aerospace, and quantum innovation. Hoskins shares how FCEDA is building a complete ecosystem—from K-12...
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She Reaches, Episode 8: Lee Steinke on Defining the Future of Space and National Security
SSPI
In this episode of She Reaches, host Tanveer Pujara speaks with Lee Steinke, Chief Operating Officer at CisLunar Industries, Partner at Elara Nova Space Consultancy, and former Interim COO at Orbit Fab. With experience spanning NASA, DARPA, Space Force, and the U.S. Department of Defense, Lee brings a unique perspective on how government, industry, and innovation intersect to define the next era of space operations. She led the Space Futures Workshop to explore the commercial implications of space for U.S. national security and continues to influence policy and...
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Why Clean Up Space...and How Do You Build a Business Around It?
SSPI
In the third and final episode of this mini-series, we hear from Nobu Okada, Founder & CEO of Astroscale. Since establishing Astroscale in 2013, Nobu has grown the company from a one-person venture into a global organization with offices in five countries, raised over $383 million in funding, and led the company to a successful IPO. A highly respected figure in the space industry, Nobu is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics, an advisory board member of the Space Generation Advisory Council, and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He previously served as...
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How Do You Write the Rules for Innovation? with Mike Thompson, UK Space & Satellite Personality of the Year Nominee
SSPI
In this episode of The People Behind the Progress, we explore a question at the heart of every technological leap: how do you write the rules for innovation? Few people can answer that with more insight than Mike Thompson, who has spent more than thirty-five years shaping the policies and regulatory frameworks that allow new technologies to take flight. From the UK Radiocommunications Agency and Inmarsat to co-founding Access Partnership, Mike has helped define how spectrum is shared, how satellite networks coexist, and how global agreements are built. His work has influenced...
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In the sixth episode of She Reaches, host Tanveer Pujara speaks with Kirsten Bartok Touw, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of New Vista Capital, an early-stage venture firm investing in space, aerospace, and defense technology.
With a career spanning investment banking, venture capital, entrepreneurship, and national security policy, Kirsten brings a uniquely holistic view of how capital and innovation intersect to shape the future of aerospace and defense. Before launching New Vista, she co-founded AirFinance, served as Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at Hawker Beechcraft, and was CFO and co-founder of XOJET, later acquired by VistaJet.
Tune in as Kirsten shares her journey and how she’s helping bridge Silicon Valley and national security to accelerate the technologies defining our next decade of flight, defense, and space exploration.