space
Auto Added by WPeMatico
Learn how to access funding for your startup at TC Sessions: Space 2020
Building tech startups takes cash — and lots of it. But when you’re talking space startups, you’re talking galactic-level money. Costs blast right through Earth’s exosphere and become, literally, astronomical. If space is your jam, you’re going to need financial help, and you’ll learn where and how to access it at TC Sessions Space 2020 (December 16-17).
Set your transporter coordinates for our Fast Money breakout sessions. You’ll hear presentations from leading space accelerators and funding programs. You’ll learn how to access grant money and — wait for it — you can schedule individual appointments with representatives from each program.
PSA: Don’t have a pass yet? We’re offering a BOGO deal. Buy one Late Registration ticket for $175 and get one free. You and a colleague pay just $87.50 each — that’s less than the early-bird price. Buy your passes before this deal ends on Sunday, November 29, at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Attend these Fast Money breakout sessions and then use CrunchMatch to schedule private meetings with program reps:
- Fast Money — Space Force Innovation Ecosystem: The USSF wants to partner with innovative non-traditional companies as we look to build out the space architecture of the future. Come learn how to join us. Major Ryan Pennington, Deputy, Space Force Ventures, SMC Space Ventures.
- Fast Money — The Space Force Accelerators: Learn how the Hyperspace Challenge, Catalyst Space Accelerator and other government accelerators can connect you to the U.S. Space Force. Gabe Mounce, Director, Space Force Accelerators, Air Force Research Laboratory.
- Fast Money — Working with the Army to Operationalize Science for Transformational Overmatch: Learn about DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory and the xTech Program of prize competitions that accelerate innovative solutions that can help solve Army challenges. Peter Khooshabeh, Regional Lead, DEVCOM, ARL West.
- Fast Money — Advancing Space Technology with NASA SBIR: Learn about the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs powered by NASA. Jenn Gustetic, Early Stage Innovations and Partnerships Program Director, NASA HQ Space Technology Mission Directorate.
- Fast Money — NAVWAR SBIR/STTR Primer: The SBIR/STTR is a robust program designed to help small businesses address government needs while promoting commercialization. This session is dedicated to providing a primer on the program with tips on getting involved and getting engaged with the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR). Shadi Azoum, Small Business Innovation Research & Rapid Innovation Fund Program Manager, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command.
- Fast Money — Introduction to In-Q-Tel’s investing activities in the commercial space sector: In-Q-Tel is a strategic investment firm that works with the national security community of the United States. For 20 years, In-Q-Tel has served one mission: to deliver the most sophisticated strategic technical knowledge and capabilities to the U.S. government and its allies through its unique investment model. Over the past decade, In-Q-Tel has been one of the most active investors in the commercial space sector, with a broad investment thesis that touches many aspects of the sector. This session will provide an overview of In-Q-Tel as a whole, as well as a discussion of the firm’s activities in the commercial space sector. Tom Gillespie, Managing Partner and Investment lead for In-Q-Tel’s Field Technologies Practice.
- Fast Money – Enabling a dual-use business model with Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Explore all the TC Sessions: Space presentations in the event agenda and start planning your schedule now. And don’t sweat any conflicts — with VOD, you can catch anything you miss at your convenience.
Learn how to find and access the funding to fuel your space startup. Don’t miss the Fast Money breakouts at TC Sessions: Space 2020. And get your buy-one-get-one-free ticket before our week-long Black Friday sale ends Sunday, November 29, at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Is your company interested in sponsoring TC Sessions: Space 2020? Click here to talk with us about available opportunities.
Powered by WPeMatico
TC Sessions: Space Black Friday ticket sale starts today
Nothing signals the start of the holiday shopping season like a Black Friday sale. It’s been an incredibly challenging year for everyone on every level. We can’t change that, but we can make attending TC Sessions: Space 2020 more affordable a bit longer.
Starting today, we’re offering a BOGO deal. Buy one Late Registration ticket for $175 and get one free. You and a colleague pay just $87.50 each — that’s less than the early-bird price. Booyah! We’re here all week folks…and this deal ends on Sunday, November 29, at 11:59 p.m. PST. Buy your pass before the deadline and put your savings to good use. And then get ready for two days of learning, networking and discovering opportunities to move your business forward.
TechCrunch attracts the top experts, and you’ll hear from and engage with leading founders, investors, technologists and government and military officials across private, public and defense sectors. Our agenda is packed with panel discussions, interviews, breakout sessions and interactive Q&As.
Topics include 3D-printed rockets, earth observation data, orbital operations, ground station networks, launch services, broadband communications, defense operations and manufacturing in space, sources of access to grant money and info on space accelerator programs. Read the event agenda and start planning your schedule now.
But wait, there’s more: Buy a pass and receive a free annual membership to Extra Crunch, our membership program focused on startups, founders and investors with more than 100 exclusive articles published per month (learn about the benefits).
More ways to save: We offer discounts for groups of four or more, students and current government, military and nonprofit employees. Extra Crunch subscribers get a 20% discount.
We’ve hosted many TC Sessions events over the years, and this is the first one dedicated to space technology. If you’ve never attended any TC Sessions event, listen to what these founders say about the experience:
People want to be around what’s interesting and learn which trends and issues they need to pay attention to. They want to learn from the experts, and TC Sessions has all the experts. — Melika Jahangiri, vice president at Wunder Mobility
TC Sessions is definitely worth your time, especially if you’re an early-stage founder. You get to connect to people in your field and learn from founders who are literally a year into your same journey. Plus, you can meet and talk to the movers and shakers — the people who are making it happen. — Jens Lehmann, technical lead and product manager, SAP
“TC Sessions offers several big benefits. First, networking opportunities that result in concrete partnerships. Second, the chance to learn the latest trends and how technology will evolve. Third, the opportunity for unknown startups to connect with other companies and build brand awareness.” — Karin Maake, senior director of communications at FlashParking
Take advantage of our week-long Black Friday sale. Buy a Late Registration pass for $175 by Sunday, November 29, at 11:59 p.m. (PST), and you get a second one f-r-e-e. Now, take that money you saved and do some good with it.
Is your company interested in sponsoring TC Sessions: Space 2020? Click here to talk with us about available opportunities.
Powered by WPeMatico
Prices increase tonight for our space-focused event, TC Sessions: Space
“Space, the final frontier…” You can probably recite the “Star Trek” opening monologue in your sleep. But we’re talking science fact, not fiction, and TC Sessions: Space 2020 provides real opportunity to connect with the people, information and funding you need to boldly build the future of space technology.
Go boldly, yes. But why pay full price? Early-bird pricing ends — in Gene Roddenberry’s parlance — on Stardate 98489.04. (a.k.a. today, November 20 at 11:59 p.m. PST). Boldly buy your pass before the deadline and save $100.
Tune in to hear from leading space industry founders, investors and technologists from across the public, private and defense industries. When it comes to experts, TechCrunch delivers. People like Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck, U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations General Jay Raymond and Lockheed Martin VP and head of civil space programs Lisa Callahan.
On the investment front we have VCs like Chris Boshuizen (Data Collective DCVC), Mike Collett (Promus Ventures) and Tess Hatch (Bessemer Venture Partners). And don’t miss out on the Fast Money breakout sessions to learn about space accelerator programs and how to access grant money.
Topics span a galaxy’s worth of technology, including 3D-printed rockets, earth observation data, orbital operations, ground station networks, launch services, broadband communications, defense operations and manufacturing in space.
Here’s a classic “but wait, there’s more” moment, because we’re not done adding opportunity. And this one’s a doozy!
Starburst x TechCrunch: Pitch Me to the Moon — Starburst Aerospace and TechCrunch are teaming up to launch a pitch competition called Pitch Me to the Moon. Think the Startup Battlefield, but for space. Ten promising early-stage space startups, selected by Starburst, will have an opportunity to present their innovations live to a panel of high-profile judges from across the industry.
Find this and all the panel discussions, interviews, fireside chats and interactive Q&As listed in the event agenda. Don’t worry about time conflicts — all sessions are available live and on-demand. Feel free to network with attendees, take care of client business or catch sessions live knowing that you can watch anything you missed later as your schedule permits.
Up your exposure game with a Space Startup Exhibitor Package ($360). It includes digital exhibition space, lead-generation capabilities and three conference passes. Bonus exposure: All exhibiting space startups get to pitch live to attendees during the event.
Go boldly for $100 less. Buy your pass to TC Sessions: Space 2020 before the early-bird deal ends tonight, November 20 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Is your company interested in sponsoring TC Sessions: Space 2020? Click here to talk with us about available opportunities.
Powered by WPeMatico
Bonus: An extra week to save on tickets to TC Sessions: Space 2020
When you’re laser-focused on reaching beyond the stars, it’s hard to remember more earthly, mundane tasks. That’s why we’re giving you an extra week to score early-bird savings to TC Sessions: Space 2020 (December 16-17). So, to all you harried, procrastinating visionaries: take a breath, relax a bit and buy your pass before November 20 at 11:59 p.m. (PT).
Join the two-day online conference to hear from and connect with the leading forces within the space industry. Learn how to secure grants for your space company, how and where the Air Force plans to spend $60 billion on R&D, what savvy space investors think and where they might place their bets. And that’s just the tip of the rocket.
Presentations range from asteroid mining, extra-planetary robotic research and the future of space exploration to human spaceflight, manufacturing in space and supply-chain issues. Here are just two stellar examples, and you’ll find many more in the event agenda. Start planning your time now.
Bridging Two Eras of Human Spaceflight: When Kathryn Lueders started working at NASA in 1992, it was the peak of the Space Shuttle era. As she begins her leadership of the Human Spaceflight Office this year, a new and exciting era is just beginning. Lueders will discuss the possibilities and challenges of the new systems and technologies that will put the first woman and the next man on the surface of the moon…and perhaps Mars.
Crafting the Kuiper Constellation: Amazon is set to create its own global constellation of LEO satellites — a very different type of gadget from what Amazon SVP of Device & Services Dave Limp is used to overseeing. He’ll tell us how Project Kuiper fits in with Amazon’s grand plans.
Looking for more ways to save? Bring the whole team with a group discount. Tickets cost $100 each — bring four team members and get the fifth one free. Discount passes for students cost $50, while current government, military and nonprofit employees pay $95. Plus, Extra Crunch subscribers get a 20% discount.
Step into a virtual spotlight and showcase your startup in our expo: An Early-Stage Startup Exhibitor Package ($360 gets you three tickets, digital exhibition space and the ability to generate leads). Bonus: Exhibiting startups each get five minutes to pitch live to attendees around the world.
As you reach for the stars, connect with the experts and opportunities at TC Sessions: Space 2020 to help make your galactic dreams a reality. You have an extra week. Now, breathe, relax and buy your early-bird pass before November 20 at 11:59 p.m. (PT).
Is your company interested in sponsoring TC Sessions: Space 2020? Click here to talk with us about available opportunities.
Powered by WPeMatico
48 hours left to save on tickets to TC Sessions: Space 2020
Listen up, space fans and aficionados. You have just 48 hours left to secure an early-bird ticket to TC Sessions: Space 2020, a two-day virtual conference dedicated to early-stage space startups and the community that supports them. Join the brilliant minds, leading founders, shrewd investors and boundary-pushing engineers determined to shape the future of space exploration and everything that entails.
Early-bird pricing remains in orbit for another 48 hours. Buy your ticket ($125) before the orbit decays on November 13 at precisely 11:59 p.m. (PT) and save $100.
You’ll have an outstanding selection of presentations, interviews, panel discussions, breakout sessions and interactive Q&As available at the click of your mouse. Expert speakers — spanning the public, private and defense sectors — will share a veritable galaxy of wisdom, experience and insight.
What level of expertise are we talking here? Well, and this is just for starters, we have NASA Associate Administrator of Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate Kathryn Lueders, Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck, U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations General Jay Raymond, Lockheed Martin VP and Head of Civil Space Programs Lisa Callahan.
Topics cover a broad swath of technologies, including 3D-printed rockets, earth observation data, orbital operations, ground station networks, launch services, broadband communications, defense operations and manufacturing in space. Explore the event agenda here.
You’ll find up-and-coming early-stage startups and sponsors showcasing their technology in our expo area. See the latest innovations and connect with potential customers, collaborators or investors. And be sure to take advantage of CrunchMatch. Our free AI-based platform takes the pain out of networking and helps you find and connect with the people who align with your goals. It’s the perfect tool to bridge a virtual conference and connect with attendees around the globe.
If you want to showcase your startup in the expo, buy a Startup Exhibitor Package. The price includes three passes, online exhibit space and lead-generation capability. Here’s a hot opportunity — each exhibiting startup gets five minutes to pitch live to Session attendees. Talk about focused exposure.
Pro Pitch Tip: Have a team member hit record right before you step up to the virtual stage, and you’ll have a video of your TC Session pitch — study it for ways to improve or hey, it could be a straight-up marketing tool right out of the gate.
Don’t miss your opportunity to learn from, engage and connect with other brilliant members of your elite community at TC Sessions: Space 2020 on December 16-17. Don’t space out on early-bird savings — only 48 hours left! Purchase your ticket before November 13 at 11:59 p.m. (PT).
Is your company interested in sponsoring TC Sessions: Space 2020? Click here to talk with us about available opportunities.
Powered by WPeMatico
Four days left to save big on tickets to TC Sessions: Space 2020
If you’re a part of the early-stage startup space race, or aspire to such celestial heights, don’t miss out on early-bird savings to TC Sessions: Space 2020 on December 16-17. We’re at T-minus four days and counting — buy your pass before the countdown clock strikes 11:59 p.m. (PT) November 13, and you’ll save $100.
Spend two days learning from and engaging with people forging the future of space travel, exploration, communications, manufacturing and so much more. We’re talking top industry founders, investors, government and military officials — across the public, private and defense sectors.
How cool is 3D printing? It’s exponentially cooler when you’re printing rockets like Tim Ellis, CEO of Relativity Space. That’s just one of many hot topics and experienced leaders waiting to help you learn and move your business forward. Check out the event agenda and start planning your schedule now.
You’ll have access to all live sessions, and you can access video on demand. Whether you need to meet with clients, network at the event or check out early-stage exhibitors in the expo, VOD lets you conquer FOMO — fear of missing out.
Networking’s essential for startup success and CrunchMatch, our free AI-powered platform, makes it simple and easy to meet, greet, connect and collaborate with the people who align with your business goals. You never know what might develop from a CrunchMatch connection.
This is our first TC Sessions dedicated to space, but it is by no means our first dance. TC Sessions of all stripes are synonymous with opportunity. Case in point: Karin Maake, senior director of communications at FlashParking, had this to say about her TC Sessions experience:
TC Sessions wasn’t just an educational opportunity, it was a real networking opportunity. Everyone was passionate and open to creating pilot programs or other partnerships. That was the most exciting part. And now — thanks to a conference connection — we’re talking with Goodyear’s Innovation Lab.
Join this intrepid global community at TC Sessions: Space 2020 on December 16-17. The four-day countdown to savings is on — don’t miss your chance to keep $100 in your pocket. Buy your early-bird pass before prices go up on November 13 at 11:59 p.m. (PT).
Is your company interested in sponsoring TC Sessions: Space 2020? Click here to talk with us about available opportunities.
Powered by WPeMatico
Pioneers of in-space refueling and manufacturing join TC Sessions: Space 2020
One of the problems with putting a satellite in orbit is that once you do, it’s pretty much out of your hands. If anything goes wrong, or it runs out of fuel, that’s all she wrote. Fortunately there are companies that aim to change this, and three leaders in the field — Orbit Fab, Astroscale and Maxar — will be joining us at TC Sessions: Space in December.
Also at TC Sessions: Space
You may remember Orbit Fab from Disrupt’s Startup Battlefield around this time last year. CEO and co-founder Daniel Faber debuted its refueling interface, RAFTI, and showed how that and a network of “tanker” satellites could save companies hundreds of millions by keeping their spacecraft in orbit rather than sending up replacements.
Astroscale is embarking on a similar effort for satellites in geosynchronous orbits, which are even more expensive to replace. But the Japan-based company is also aiming at taking down the innumerable dead satellites and debris scattered throughout other orbits, and has raised huge sums to do so. Astroscale’s U.S. president, Ron Lopez, will join the panel to discuss the many potential approaches to improving sustainability in space.
Maxar is of course a well-known name in space operations, and we’ve had head of space robotics Lucy Condrakchian onstage at TC Sessions: Robotics. Her team is currently working on the ambitious Restore-L mission, which will demonstrate on-orbit refueling, manufacturing and assembly. Why build it down here if you can do it up there?
These three panelists will discuss the possibilities of this emerging industry and what it could mean for startups and established enterprises here on the ground. With costs of launch dropping, the cost of building and maintaining a major satellite becomes a greater issue — but tiny, cheap satellites are also beginning to proliferate.
How will the market evolve? Can proprietary but practical tech like RAFTI make a difference? How close are we to the first satellite built entirely in space? All this and more will be on the table for our panel next month.
Get an early-bird ticket for just $125 until this Friday, November 13. And we have discounts available for groups, students, active military/government employees and for early-stage space startup founders who want to pitch and give their startup some extra visibility.
Powered by WPeMatico
Early-bird savings ends this Friday for TC Sessions Space 2020
Could there be a tech sector more thrilling and daunting than space? We think not. If that’s your orbit, don’t miss TC Sessions: Space 2020 on December 16-17. It’s where you’ll find the industry’s greatest thinkers, makers, shakers and investors.
More on that in a minute. Right now, a reminder that the $125 admission price remains in play for just five more days. Buy your Early-Bird ticket — and keep $100 in your wallet — before November 13 at 11:59 p.m. (PT).
We have an impressive slate of presenters ready to talk about the current state of space tech, what the future holds, investment strategies and what it takes to build successful cosmic startups.
Here are just some of the luminaries you’ll hear from and engage with during main stage interviews, panel discussions, breakout sessions and interactive Q&As.
- Lockheed Martin VP Lisa Callahan
- Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck
- Lt. General John F. Thompson, U.S. Space Force
- Will Roper, assistant secretary, U.S. Air Force
- Relativity Space CEO Tim Ellis
Check out some of the topics and find more in the event agenda.
Building Up a Business Looking Down at Earth: Earth observation is one of the real moneymakers in the space category. See what’s ahead for the industry.
Bridging Today and Tomorrow’s Tech: Corporate VC funds are a key source of investment for space startups, in part because they often involve partnerships that help generate revenue, and because they understand the timelines involved. We’ll discuss how they fit with more standard ventures to power the ecosystem.
We offer discount ticket options for students ($50) and for government, military and nonprofits ($95). Buy yours before November 13 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Bonus: Extra Crunch subscribers receive a 20% discount on passes.
Strut your right stuff: Want to increase your exposure to event attendees around the world? Buy a Startup Exhibitor Package. The $360 package includes three tickets, digital exhibition space and the ability to generate leads. Bonus: Exhibiting founders get five minutes to pitch their company — live — to thousands of attendees.
TC Sessions: Space 2020 takes place on December 16-17. Whether you’re a founder, investor, engineer, student or an aspiring entrepreneur, it’s where you’ll find the space industry’s most important people across public, private and defense sectors. Buy your pass before November 13 at 11:59 p.m. (PT) and save $100.Could that be any more exciting?
Is your company interested in sponsoring TC Sessions: Space 2020? Click here to talk with us about available opportunities.
Powered by WPeMatico
Rocket Lab will try to recover the booster of its Electron rocket for the first time on its next launch
Rocket Lab is set to complete a crucial test for its rocket reusability program during its next mission, which is currently set to take place sometime in mid-November, with a launch widow that opens on November 16. This is a bit of a surprise, because the launch company said that it would be doing this on its 17th flight, and the next launch is actually its 16th, but the company had a succinct answer for why it moved up the timetable.
I know we said flight 17 for recovery but… pic.twitter.com/N3HDdCwPFD
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) November 5, 2020
This isn’t the first test Rocket Lab has performed in pursuit of reusability — after announcing in August 2019 its intent to recover and refly the Electron booster, something Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck originally said wasn’t in the cards for the company, Rocket Lab has tested reentry guidance and control systems, as well as the parachute to be used to slow the booster’s descent once it’s back in Earth’s atmosphere.
In a video released today, Beck explained the reasoning behind even attempting to recover the boosters (essentially to increase the company’s rate of production by eliminating the need to build a new booster for every flight) and also the reasons why it wasn’t in the original plan (the Electron is too small to allow for an engine-powered boost back like the ones Falcon 9 and Blue Origin’s New Shepard uses).
But Beck and team realized they could use an unconventional approach that involves flipping the rocket around and angling it such that it survives reentry, paired with a drogue parachute deployment and primary parachute combo that slows it enough that a helicopter can catch it midair as it drifts. This recovery attempt won’t include that midflight snag, but will instead hopefully see the booster land itself gently enough on the ocean’s surface, slowed by the chute, allowing a recovery team to pick it up.
Beck says that the helicopter catch part is actually not his biggest concern, since the company has previously demonstrated that part of its approach works in practice. Instead, it’s ensuring that they’re just able to actually get the stage after it deploys its orbital cargo to begin with.
If Rocket Lab can recover this first stage, that will put it well-within striking distance of putting an operational recovery system in place, hopefully leading to less time between launches and potentially lower operational costs down the line.
No matter how the launch works out, we’ll get the chance to go over the attempt and next steps with Beck at our inaugural TC Sessions: Space event in December, where he’s joining us on our virtual stage for a fireside chat.
Powered by WPeMatico
Rocket Lab’s next launch will deliver 30 satellites to orbit — and a 3D-printed gnome from Gabe Newell
Rocket Lab’s next mission will put dozens of satellites into orbit using the launch company’s Kick Stage “space tug,” as well as a 3D-printed garden gnome from Valve Software’s Gabe Newell. The latter is a test of a new manufacturing technique, but also a philanthropic endeavor from the gaming industry legend.
Scheduled for no earlier than November 15 (or 16 at the New Zealand launch site), the as-yet-unnamed launch — Rocket Lab gives all of their missions cheeky names — will be the company’s “most diverse ever,” it said in a press release.
A total of 30 satellites will be deployed using Rocket Lab’s own Kick Stage deployment platform, which like other “space tugs” detaches from the second stage once a certain preliminary orbit is reached and then delivers its payloads each at their own unique trajectory. That’s the most individual satellites every taken up at once by Rocket Lab.
Twenty-four of them are Swarm Technologies’ tiny SpaceBEEs, the sandwich-sized communications satellites it will be using to power a low-cost, low-bandwidth global network for Internet of Things devices.
The most unusual payload, however, is certainly “Gnome Chompski,” whose passage was paid by Valve president Newell: a 3D-printed figure that will remain attached to the Kick Stage until it burns up on reentry. The figure, a replica of an item from the popular Half-Life series of PC games, was made by Weta Workshop, the effects studio behind Lord of the Rings and many other films. It’s both a test of a potentially useful new component printing technique and “an homage to the innovation and creativity of gamers worldwide.”
More importantly, Newell will donate a dollar to Starship Children’s Hospital for every viewer of the launch, so you’ll definitely want to tune in for this one. (I’m waiting to find out more from Newell, if possible.)
The launch will also deliver satellites for TriSept, Unseenlabs and the Auckland Space Institute — the last will be New Zealand’s first student-built spacecraft.
Rocket Lab has worked hard to make its launch platform all-in-one, so prospective customers don’t have to shop around for various services or components. Ideally, the company’s CEO has said, anyone should be able to come to the company with the bare-bones payload and the rest is taken care of.
Image Credits: Rocket Lab
“Small satellite operators shouldn’t have to compromise on orbits when flying on a rideshare mission, and we’re excited to provide tailored access to space for 30 satellites on this mission. It’s why we created the Kick Stage to enable custom orbits on every mission, and eliminate the added complexity, time, and cost of having to develop your own spacecraft propulsion or using a third-party space tug,” Beck said in the press release.
Rocket Lab recently launched its own home-grown satellite, First Light, to show that getting to orbit doesn’t have be such a “pain in the butt,” as Beck put it then.
Powered by WPeMatico