Lastwall’s Post

"Is it really so hard?" One day, Hannes Weigel and Ole Eirik Solberg Seljordslia started thinking about exactly this question. How hard could it be to launch a rocket? It didn't really matter that no one at their university had tried it before. That curiosity led to the founding of USN Horizon. What began as an ambitious idea has since grown into a symbol of innovation and teamwork at the University of South-Eastern Norway. Today, we honor Hannes Weigel, the founder and driving force behind this journey, and Ole Eirik Solberg Seljordslia, our exceptional head of avionics, as they step down from their roles. Together, they took USN Horizon from a fledgling project to a team capable of achieving remarkable milestones, including our debut at the European Rocketry Challenge (#EuRoC). Their passion and commitment have not only propelled rockets but also shaped a team of innovators ready to tackle new challenges. They helped our students believe that they can do something truly incredible. Hannes and Ole Eirik, thank you for your leadership and vision. You’ve shown us what’s possible with dedication and teamwork. Though you’re stepping down, your legacy will continue to launch USN Horizon to new heights. Here’s to both of you and the incredible journey you started! 🌌 🚀 #USNHorizon #NotRocketScience #Kongsberg #USN

It was great being able to share with the community more about our expanding programs at the National Space Industry Hub with the support of Investment NSW, whilst hearing from amazing innovators and entrepreneurs Chris Shaw and Andrew Glynn! Key insights from me from the discussion included: 1. The power of partnerships is key to a business being able to move and grow quickly. The best partnerships are built from there being a "DNA match" first. 2. Andrew crystallising what they look for in partnerships - companies who knew their value proposition really well, know what they are good at and what they aren't, and are offering something truly unique. 3. Dual use approach to the business is critical to the business being able to weather the complex and often slow sales cycles, with often a need to focus on where the need is most. 4. It is critical to focus on the application and the problem being solved rather than the technology solution itself. This includes both emphasising your dual use technology benefits to specific applications whether increased productivity in mining or resilience in defence, whilst not being afraid to push back against old and outdated standards when there are better ways to deliver customer's needs. Thank you again to all that attended yesterday, and if you are interested in learning more then check out some of our upcoming programs! 🚀 2-day Workshop - Air to Space Elevate - October 16+17th 2024 A two-day workshop to help participants validate their markets, refine their value proposition, and enhance their pitching skills with a focus on space and aerospace applications. Participants will have the opportunity to test their ideas with an expert and start building out a business plan and goals to pursue next steps. Applications close October 4th.  https://lnkd.in/gP-W9Pqe  🚀 4-day Workshop - Customer Discovery in Defence - Nov 14th to Dec 5th For early-stage ventures ready to dive deep into potential customers and understanding how to approach Defence as a customer, this tailored four-week interactive program can help innovators confidently approach a pathway to market within Defence and Dual-use. Applications close October 25th. https://lnkd.in/gMWewHUQ #deeptech #defence #space #aerospace #innovation #dualuse

If you're going to be at the IAC next week, come hear this amazing panel of experts talk about "The Intertwined Relationship of Space Sustainability and Security"

We were pleased to share the preliminary findings of our #ReBuilt project at the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) conference “Space & Transformation: Living in Harmony with Nature”! 👏   The #BauhausEarth ReBuilt project takes a two-pronged approach at promoting the concept of a #Regenerative built environment around the world: The #Global study assesses the supply and demand of #NatureBased building materials under different transition scenarios while the #Regional study explores locally specific transition pathways in four city regions. 🌎   At the conference, global study researcher Adrian Foong presented novel #SpatialTools used to #Model a global transformation towards a bio-based #BuiltEnvironment. Our research introduces a comprehensive, globally consistent method to estimate residential floor area and material stocks using key building parameters and #Material intensity. The approach developed by our team allows for more rapid, regionally specific assessment and could be used to inform #Policy toward #Sustainability goals. 📈 🌲   In a panel, Georg Hubmann presented the findings of the regional case studies so far, focusing on the question of how to overcome the #Implementation gap in regenerative #Design and #Development. He outlined how the built environment can become a carbon sink – if we manage to more closely entangle #Architecture with its regional resource base and community needs. 🏡 ♻️   We were very pleased to receive feedback on our work so far at the #IOERConf! We look forward to sharing more outcomes of the ReBuilt project, including peer-reviewed papers and policy guidelines, soon – stay tuned! 👀   ReBuilt is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection.

🌟 Vision Weekend 2024: A Gathering of Visionary Minds 🌟 This past weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to attend Vision Weekend, an annual conference organized by #foresightinstitute at Bückeburg Palace in Germany. The event brought together visionaries, researchers, and innovators, all united by a common goal: to explore and create paths to progress for a better future. 🌍 The main conference track, "Paths to Progress," featured presentations from Foresight's core community, delving into areas such as #LongevityScience, 🧬💻 #MolecularComputing, 🧠🔌 #Neurotechnology, 🔒💻 #Cryptography, ⚡🌍 #EnergyInnovation, 🚀🌌 #SpaceExploration, and strategies for driving innovation. The breakout sessions allowed for deep dives into specific paths to progress and fostered a vibrant exchange of ideas and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Engaging with brilliant minds from various fields was incredibly enriching. 💡 Networking with like-minded individuals who share a passion for creating a better world was one of the most valuable aspects of the event. The connections forged have the potential to catalyze collaborations and accelerate progress. 🤝 As the weekend drew to a close, the conference united once again to compare paths to progress and explore cross-domain insights. The collective wisdom and determination were truly inspiring. 🌈 I did try to cement my status as the loyal knight who boldly supported England's quest for Euro glory later that evening in Berlin, just as the castle's knights did for their kingdom centuries ago – though alas, this time football didn't quite make it home. I guess you could say the Three Lions' armor had a few chinks in it! 🏰⚽😄 #Futuretechnology

Are you attending #IAC2024? Let's connect to talk all things space and explore business opportunities! Looking forward to exciting conversations and potential collaborations. See you there! #newspaceeconomy #commercialspace

It was great to talk about how at #iLAuNCH we are developing high value #space #manufacturing exports ready to sell on international markets. Instead of selling 1273 tons of dirt to create a single job, a space component the size of my fist can sell for a price to create 10 #AustralianJobs, and that alone is a great reason for it to be a national mission. However, the sector is in dire need of support to capitalise on those gains. iLAuNCH is currently helping, but difficult moneyary conditions and uncertain funding begs the question, what is next? Space is hard, and it is a high risk and high reward field. I hope to help Australia capture the rewards of space deeptech and create a lot of futuristic space jobs to inspire our children.

🚀 THIS IS THE LAST CALL .... When you're at the airport and hear the final boarding call, you know it's time to gather your belongings and head to the gate. Similarly, if you're a spacetech company based in Europe (including the UK!), have achieved product-market fit, and secured Series A funding or are about to do so, this is your last call to submit your application! Applications for the renown SpaceFounders program close on May 20, 2024. 👉 Remember: This is the only batch taking place this year. Alumni call this experience pivotal, with access to exclusive networks that you can turn into customers (congrats to ION-X for announcing CNES as your new customer). It is the gateway to VC and funding opportunities (congrats to Infinite Orbits for closing a 12 million € round), plus the guidance on how to convince them. 👆 The two news items mentioned are just the latest from this week, but they serve as written proof of what is possible. Anyone can claim their program is working, but we have evidence to back it up. So, staying in the airport analogy—SpaceFounders is the flight you do not want to miss, excelling you to new heights. If you don´t want to regret — apply now! 🚀 Here is your gateway to success aka the application link: 🤺 https://lnkd.in/gtcK_e8W 👩🚀 A special call to all female spacetech founders: You hold a special place in our hearts. In case you are doubting: Yes, you are ready. Apply. #EuropeanSpaceTechaccelerator #SpacetechseriesA #StartupSuccess #newspace #newspacetech #newspacetechaccelerator

🤝 Key Takeaways from the 3rd European Partnership Stakeholder Forum: Shaping the Future of Collaboration The 3rd European Partnership Stakeholder Forum, held from December 4-5 in Brussels, provided valuable insights into 20 years of #EuropeanPartnerships and their future potential. These reflections directly impact our Partnership, benefiting organisations and individuals alike. 🚀 Our Learnings from the Forum: 1. Partnerships Drive Innovation and Competitiveness European Partnerships are vital tools to align strategies, pool resources, and reduce fragmentation in R&I. For our Partnership, this highlights the need for strong alignment to maintain Europe’s global competitiveness in space. 2. Collaboration and Synergies Matter Tangible synergies—like joint roadmaps and shared innovations—were emphasised as essential for success. We must focus on impactful collaborations that accelerate innovation and value creation. 3. Simplification and Flexibility Are Crucial Administrative complexity and rigid frameworks hinder efficiency. Streamlining processes and adopting agile governance are priorities for fostering innovation and broader participation. 🌍 How These Insights Impact Our Partnership These learnings guide our efforts to enhance innovation, streamline operations, foster impactful synergies, and strengthen our community. By applying these principles, we can drive meaningful progress and ensure our Partnership is a model for success. Thank you for organising this insightful event ERA-LEARN, European Commission! 📣 What’s Next? Join the Conversation! The Forum showed that partnerships can drive real change when united by shared goals and efficient structures. What priorities do you see as essential for the future of European partnerships? Share your thoughts below and follow us on LinkedIn to help shape the future. Read the full article on our website: https://lnkd.in/gehgEUTA #SpaceInnovation #EuropeanSpace #Collaboration #FutureOfSpace ASD-Eurospace SME4SPACE Association of European Space Research Establishments (ESRE) EASTRO EASN - European Aeronautics Science Network

ESA Market Trends by ESA Commercialisation Gateway: Space for Sport.🚴 Inside this mini-report you will find: - Insights into sport sector market opportunities, needs and trends. - Innovative satellite applications supporting digital transformation and sustainability efforts. - Case studies on successful space-based solutions supported by ESA #space4sport #spacecommercialisation #space4earth #esa #esabic #esabicng #esacommercialisation #newspace #spacetrends