The fascination with space has been robust for decades through popular culture . Now , more reality than science fiction , LeoStella and its partners BlackSky and Thales Alenia Space , are building and launching satellites via SpaceX and other providers as a major commercial industry in the United States .
Brian Rider , CTO of LeoStella ( which stands for low earth orbit ( LEO ), and “ Stella ” meaning star ), said , “ The space industry used to be risk-intolerant , bureaucratic …” Now , he said , “ The last 10 to 15 years have been more transitional .” He expects that companies like LeoStella and BlackSky will be driving the industry to be faster , more agile and less risk averse . BlackSky has satellites routinely hitching rides to space via SpaceX and other launch providers .
The volume and growth of the satellite industry may surprise the most astute aerospace fans .
NICK MERSKI
BlackSky — Vice President of Space Operations
Vice President of Space Operations for BlackSky , Nick Merski said , “ The awareness and economics are changing quickly ,” regarding space satellites and collecting or distributing data from space .
38 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS