The SmallSat Revolution

08/05/2025

Next in our series of interviews leading up to this year’s Small Satellite Conference is this conversation Frank had with Laila Kazemi, technical chair for the conference, and Founder of Star Forge, a space research and technology company. Dr. Kazemi discusses about her transition from star tracker authority to entrepreneur, the future of optical navigation, dual-use technologies, and her commitment to fostering global collaboration and mentoring the next generation of space engineers.

📺 Table of Contents:

00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Laila Kazemi and Star Forge
00:50 – Why Laila launched her own space technology company
02:00 – Expanding beyond star trackers into optical navigation
03:07 – How Star Forge sensors enable planetary landings and more
04:20 – Multi-functional sensors for small satellite efficiency
05:12 – Why Star Forge is based in both Belgium and Canada
06:18 – Collaborating with top universities and young talent
07:16 – Reviving a master’s thesis to solve today’s debris challenges
08:47 – SmallSat 2025 presentation preview
09:07 – Mentoring the next generation of space engineers
10:11 – Student success stories from Star Forge collaborations
10:53 – Creating a collaborative company culture
11:47 – Growing the space industry through cooperation
12:27 – How to connect with Dr. Kazemi and Star Forge
13:01 – Dual-use applications of optical navigation systems
14:13 – Closing thoughts and thanks

08/05/2025

Next in our series of interviews leading up to the Small Satellite Conference, is this conversation Frank had with Barbara Braun, of The Aerospace Corporation, about the complex policy landscape surrounding small satellite missions. They explore the evolution of the SmallSat industry—from early R&D programs to today’s commercial mega-constellations—and discuss how rideshare launches, regulatory hurdles, and debris mitigation are shaping mission design. Barbara also shares her personal journey from working on the launch of MightySat aboard the Space Shuttle, to writing a small satellite policy roadmap that helps guide today’s mission managers.

📺 Table of Contents

00:00 – Introduction to Barbara Braun and Her Role at The Aerospace Corporation
00:26 – Supporting Agile Acquisition for the Air Force and Space Force
01:19 – The 80% Solution: Rapid, Cost-Effective Mission Design
01:48 – Early Career Story: MightySat and Getting Hooked on Smallsats
03:17 – Evolution from Long-Life Satellites to Agile Tech Refresh Cycles
05:57 – First SmallSat Conference and Its Incredible Growth Over Time
07:17 – Two Big Paradigm Shifts: CubeSats and Commercialization
09:58 – Rideshare Launches: Opportunities and Technical Challenges
10:40 – Policy Complexity: The Hidden Hurdle in Multi-Satellite Missions
13:28 – “Do No Harm” Guidelines and Launch Risk Management
14:51 – Why Smaller Missions Often Struggle with Policy Compliance
17:10 – The Importance of Starting Policy Work Early in the Design Phase
19:17 – Key Policy Areas: Spectrum, Debris, Launch Interfaces, Earth Imaging
21:53 – Who Regulates What? The Complex Web of Agencies Involved
22:12 – Where to Get Help: Launch Providers, Aerospace, and Published Guides
24:44 – Looking Ahead: Future Trends in SmallSats and Space Tech
25:57 – Innovations Coming Soon: Constellations, DiscSats, Debris Mitigation
28:11 – Closing Remarks and GomSpace Sponsorship Message

08/05/2025

Next in our series of interviews leading up to this year’s Small Satellite Conference is this conversation Frank had with Dr. Michael Swartwout, Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at Saint Louis University.

They discuss Dr. Swartwout's student-led satellite mission which looks to demonstrate electrostatic adhesion for in-orbit servicing and assembly, the role of academic risk tolerance, and how hands-on spaceflight experience is preparing SLU students for careers in the space industry.

Plus, you'll learn how a chance conversation at the SmallSat Conference sparked a key partnership with Cambrian Works, Inc.

📺 Table of Contents

00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Michael Swartwout and SLU’s SmallSat Mission
00:46 – What Is the Mission? Electrostatic Adhesion in Space
02:08 – How the Electrostatic Pad Works and Why It’s Revolutionary
03:03 – Real-World Applications: Debris Removal and On-Orbit Servicing
03:58 – Enabling In-Orbit Assembly Without Mechanical Interfaces
04:33 – Two-Phase Mission Concept and Intentional Object Contact
05:25 – Why Collisions Are Avoided in Space—and How SLU Gets Around That
06:58 – Designing Both Spacecraft: Chaser and “Objectives”
07:50 – Why Electrostatic Adhesion Is Ideal for Student Missions
08:43 – How a Chance Meeting at SmallSat Sparked the Cambrian Works Partnership
10:51 – Real-World Engineering Experience for SLU Students
12:10 – Defending Designs to NASA and Air Force Engineers
13:17 – The Freedom to Fail: University Missions vs. Government and Commercial
15:53 – Industry Shifts: CubeSats Go from Risk to Revenue
17:14 – How CubeSat Containers Enabled—and Now Limit—Innovation
18:36 – Rideshare Launches as the New Normal
19:03 – Looking Ahead: On-Orbit Assembly and Servicing as the Next Frontier
20:23 – Closing Remarks and GomSpace Sponsorship Message

08/05/2025

Kicking off our series of interviews leading up to this year’s Small Satellite Conference is this conversation Frank had with Pat Patterson, Director of Advanced Concepts at the Space Dynamics Laboratory at Utah State University, and Chairman of the SmallSat conference.

Pat shares some of the history of the show as well as what attendees can expect this year, including a new venue at The Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.

📘 Table of Contents
00:00 – Introduction: Pat Patterson & the SmallSat Conference
00:56 – The Origin Story of the Small Satellite Conference
04:47 – Why the Conference Is Moving to Salt Lake City
09:27 – Preserving the Collegiate Feel Amidst Growth
12:47 – How Technical Topics Are Selected Each Year
15:18 – Keynote Speakers and the Role of Industry Leadership
16:41 – The Abstract Review Process: 22 Global Experts
18:43 – How the Conference Fosters Long-Term Collaboration
20:07 – Where to Learn More: Registration & Hotel Info
21:19 – Closing Remarks

07/09/2025

We're very proud to be working with the folks at The Small Satellite Conference and very excited that The Associated Press is taking notice!

New collaboration to provide early insights into the key topics, technologies, and innovations that will be explored at this year’s event.

04/23/2025

In this episode of the SmallSat Revolution Podcast, Frank Felker speaks with Michael Bartholomeusz, CEO of Novi, about VISTAsat—a revolutionary Earth Observation platform which combines edge computing, AI, and a powerful multi-sensor satellite constellation. Michael shares how VISTAsat empowers users to run custom applications onboard satellites, drastically reduces latency and data costs, and opens the door to real-time EO and space domain awareness.

04/09/2025

It's Show Time!

03/21/2025

DiamondLink serves both government and commercial customers, with strong interest from Earth observation companies and multiple Federal agencies. In this reel from our SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition interview series, Frank speaks with Darryl White of US Electrodynamics, Inc. about who benefits most from this revolutionary space-to-ground optical communication service.

03/18/2025

The future of in-space manufacturing is here. With costs dropping and commercial capacity expanding, new opportunities are emerging. In this reel from our SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition 2025 interview series, Raphael Roettgen discusses how microgravity production will revolutionize industries, from pharmaceuticals to materials science, over the next decade.

03/17/2025

Early-stage venture investing is about imagining what could go right. In this reel from our SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition 2025 interview series, Raphael Roettgen gives an investor’s perspective on how breakthroughs—like mass-producing retinas in orbit—could reshape industries, unlock billion-dollar opportunities, and transform the future of technology and healthcare.