Friday, April 19, 2019

Space Access 2019 - Thursday evening


Thursday evening of Space Access 2019

Paul Breed of Unreasonable Rockets - Development Of A Low-Cost Modular Launcher
He has a small team, 100% self funded.  The central problem: need enough Delta V to get to orbit.  He is building a Beal Otrag.  (Similar to Beal aerospace’s rocket.) Trying to build a four inch tiny rocket.  And then have plans to from which anyone can build the rocket for about $100,000.
Gave some details about how he builds rockets.  He started trying to build 3D printed parts in 2007. His avionics will be around 50 grams. Looking for a GPS weighing less than 10 grams.
His goal is to bring pictures from space for next year’s Space Access.


Grant Bonin (Former CTO at Deep Space Industries) - Asteroid Mining Lessons from the Private Sector: What Worked, What Didn’t, and What’s Next
Many people talk about having big machines to harvest the asteroid.  Deep Space Industries was looking at having small, smart machines to harvest big, dump construction materials.  Looking at 150 kg to a metric ton rockets. DSI roadmap was:
2020s - to start with Low-coast Exploration
2030s - do prospecting and sample return 
2040s - finally bring back bulk material and services.
He talked about how DSI was acquired. 
What went wrong: Incompatible with institutional venture capital, had 14 co-founders, lost identity
What went right: company still has enduring product-market fit, curated a world-class spacecraft team, major international regulatory victories, raised the awareness of space resources, strong acquirer with a clear vision for the future of company
Key lessons: The difference between being too early and being wrong? Nothing, product-market fit is the most important thing, treat your first round as the last you’ll ever raise, vision matter, integrity matter

Panel discussion - Space Startup Party Fouls: Common Startup Errors & How to Avoid Them
Cautioned:
Companies which try to work people 100 hours a week
Just throwing a couple engineers to solve a problem without really studying the effort, need and requirements
Don’t yank engineers off a project for a fund raising PR event
If don’t like your customers, don’t tell them
When low on money taking customers which pull you off focus
Integrity matters - matters how approach investors, employees, 
Not having a clear plan or vision

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