Recycled Rocketry with Vaya Space
The space industry has grown tremendously over the last few decades and is expected to keep growing in the coming decades. Analysts are projecting that we’ll have thousands of launches in the year 2030 at an approximate cost of $10 million per launch. While capital seems to be flowing seamlessly into this industry, it has also opened up important debate about the sustainability of those launches.
Today, host Kevin Blevins talks to Brent Willis, CEO of Vaya Space, and Jack Blood, Chief Revenue Officer of Vaya Space. Vaya is a US-based venture capital-backed startup company working on hybrid rocket propulsion technology- with a specific focus on sustainability. They’ll share with us how they got started, what inspires them, and what challenges lie ahead.
In this episode, you’ll find out about the innovative technology developed by Vaya Space and the impact it is having on the industry. You’ll also learn about the progress they’ve made so far and the benefits of using recycled plastic in space launch and development. Additionally, you’ll hear about how the company uses Siemens NX to reduce their time to market.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The determinants of success for startups (03:49)
- How Vaya Space got started (07:36)
- The approximate number of satellites that will be launched in 2030 (15:00)
- Advice to other entrepreneurs (28:59)
Siemens Startups Program
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Guest: Brent Willis, CEO and Managing Director
Brent Willis comes to aerospace from a long career spent developing breakthrough strategy and leading industry transformations. His military background has influenced his development as a leader across a variety of industries, including beverage, health, and ecommerce. He has previously held leadership roles in at Kraft Heinz, Coca Cola, and Anheuser-Busch InBev.
Guest: Jack Blood, CRO
A military veteran, former officer and aviator, Blood brings Vaya Space more than twenty years of experience as a successful business executive and management consultant. Previously, Blood has worked with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, L3 Technologies, Cyient and Honeywell in a variety of business development focused roles.
Host: Kevin Blevins
Kevin Blevins is the Portfolio Development Executive for SMB and Startup Companies and manages the Siemens Digital Industries Software Startup Program. He works with the Siemens sales organizations as well as Siemens Partners to engage and evangelize the Siemens Startup Program in the Americas. Kevin has spent more than 35 years in the Engineering and Manufacturing software industry. Prior to this he spent seven years in the automotive design industry. Kevin has been with Siemens for 33 years. During this time, he has held positions in Technical Support, Technical Sales Support Leadership, Sales Director for the Automotive Region, Partner Sales Executive, and his current position. Kevin has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI.
Vaya Space is a hybrid rocket propulsion and SmallSat launch company leveraging advances in additive manufacturing to redefine the cost, performance, and safety of space access. With a build, integrate, and launch-ready cycle of less than thirty days, Vaya Space is positioned to serve the global market. By unlocking the potential of hybrid rocket engines, Vaya Space is transforming the path to space. For more information, visit Vaya Space | SmallSat Launch Provider.
Pioneers: Startups from Dreams to Reality
Ideas alone can’t change the world. It takes grit, and serious funding. In Pioneers, host Kevin Blevins sits down with startup founders to discuss the startup lifestyle- from concept to execution- and the big ideas that fuel these pioneers. From the future of farming to autonomous flight, there’s no frontier too far.
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