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 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 STEM outreach to...
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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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Better Satellite World: Who Leads When the Sky Is Changing?
SSPI
This special mini-series, The People Behind the Progress, celebrates the finalists for the UK Space and Satellite – A distinction that honors people whose ideas, integrity, and influence have advanced the UK's role on the global stage. In the first episode of this mini-series, we hear from Dr. Alice Bunn, President of UKspace. Dr Alice Bunn is a globally recognised leader in science and engineering, with a distinguished career spanning strategic leadership, international diplomacy, and public engagement. Awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Honours List in 2022 for her services to the UK...
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She Reaches, Episode 7: Maureen Gannon on Disrupting the Rocket Industry and Visionary Leadership
SSPI
In this episode of She Reaches, host Tanveer Pujara speaks with Maureen Gannon, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of X-Bow Systems, a company redefining the rocket motor and launch vehicle market through advanced manufacturing and innovation. With over 30 years of experience across aerospace, defense, and commercial sectors, Maureen has built a remarkable career leading high-performing teams, securing hundreds of millions in startup funding, and winning major U.S. defense contracts. As one of the few women co-founders in the solid rocket motor industry, she’s not only...
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Space & Satellite Futures: Movers in Our Orbit, Season 2: Doing Impactful Work for Earth from Space
SSPI
In the Movers in Our Orbit podcast series, we speak with friends of SSPI who recently made big executive moves. We’ll find out what they’re doing now and what they hope to achieve in their new roles in the industry. In a rebroadcast of the first episode of season 2, we hear from Kelsey Doerksen, GeoAI Postdoctoral Researcher at Arizona State University and . Passionate to do impactful work for Earth, in space, Kelsey Doerksen is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Oxford in the Autonomous Intelligent Machines and Systems Centre for Doctoral Training Program, in the Oxford...
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Better Satellite World: Everyday Guardians, Episode 5: Celestial Stewardship and the Urgency of Orbital Ethics
SSPI
In Everyday Guardians, the podcast series of the campaign, we speak with people who are helping to build a more resilient, sustainable and secure orbital environment – whether through technology, policy or ethical leadership. Securing the Future of Space is underwritten by the American Space Exploration Fund. In the fifth episode, we hear from Moriba Jah, President and Co-founder of GaiaVerse. Moriba Jah is a world-leading space environmentalist, astrodynamicist, and social justice advocate, a MacArthur Fellow and Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University...
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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 Vice President for Space Economy and Sponsorship at the International Astronautical Federation until 2023 and co-chaired the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Space Technologies until 2021. During his tenure, he played a key role in developing the Space Sustainability Rating, a system designed to promote responsible space operations.
Under Nobu’s leadership, Astroscale has received numerous accolades, including the IAF Excellence in Industry (SME) in 2023, the Japanese Prime Minister’s Award in 2022, and recognition as one of TIME100’s Most Influential Companies in 2022. Nobu has also received individual recognition, including the 2020 SpaceNews Company Leader of the Year and the 2019 Forbes JAPAN Start-up of The Year.
Before founding Astroscale, Nobu was an IT entrepreneur and strategy consultant, managing IT companies across Japan, China, India and Singapore. He successfully led one company to an IPO. Earlier in his career, he worked at McKinsey & Company and served in the Japanese Ministry of Finance.
Nobu holds a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from the University of Tokyo and an MBA from the Krannert School of Business, Purdue University.