In this episode of Space Economy Insights, Kevin O'Connell and Dr. Emma Gatti host Fani Kallianou de Jong, Principal in the Climate Strategy and Delivery Team of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Together, they discussed the intersection of space economy with the role of multilateral development banks (MDBs) and . The conversation delved into the impact of space on economic inclusion, sustainability, and climate change, emphasizing the need for improved communication and understanding across various industries. Additionally, Fani shared insights on her role in the European Space Agency's Green Accelerator and the potential for MDB involvement in space missions.

To know more about EBRD's supporting role to the Space sector:

• what EBRD can do in terms of financing satellites:

EBRD sector profiles: Telecommunications, Media and Technology overview

• Green Innovation Programme to facilitate green R&D and their innovation activities:

Green Innovation Programme | EBRD FINTECC

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In this third episode of Space Economy Insights, Kevin O’Connell interviewed Dr. Zolana Joao, Director General of the Angolan National Space Office and Architect of Angola’s Space Strategy. Dr. Joao has a background in electrical engineering and a doctorate in engineering management from George Washington University, with a focus on productivity and efficiency in large, complex space projects.

Kevin and Zolana spoke about the genesis of the Angolan National Space Office, borne out of the end of conflict for Angola and driven by the need to create connectivity in order to improve education and economic growth. They reviewed highlights of the original Angolan Space Strategy (2016-2025) in areas like capacity building, encouraging private sector activities, and international engagement and previewed how those might change in a future update.

A continuing theme throughout their conversation was the need to educate future space leaders in order to “speak the language of space” while also ensuring the ability to communicate the importance of space publicly and to key decision-makers. The challenges of earth and space sustainability demand effective solutions from which space can play an outsized role. They also covered the importance of “smart” partnerships and the key role that space can play in solving problems like poverty and hunger, partly through national strategy and support for private sector activities.

Kevin and Zolana also discussed a broader set of exciting space developments across the African continent, including the establishment of the African Space Agency earlier this year. While Africa’s portion of the global space economy is still small, it is one of the fastest growing regions in the world. Some analysts think that Africa can leapfrog over some of the technical developments and play a unique and important leadership role in the future space economy.

Please join us for an engaging conversation!

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With a strong pragmatic approach rich of examples and hands-on data knowledge, Space Economy Insights is the first podcast tackling the Space Economy sector from behind the scenes. Don't miss an episode, only on SpaceWatch.Global.

Space Economy Insights is proudly sponsored by Privateer, which is creating the data infrastructure that will enable sustainable growth for the new space economy. Check them out at https://mission.privateer.com/

Please visit us at SpaceWatch.Global, subscribe to our newsletters.
Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!

In this second episode of Space Economy Insights, Kevin O'Connell and Emma Gatti interviewed Prof. Matthew Gilliham, the Director of the Wait Research Institute at the University of Adelaide and the Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S).

Born as an ecologist and plant physiologist, Prof. Gilliham has been leading for years a large scale program in space agriculture - specifically the growth and adaptation of plants to space environments and the production of novel bio products in plants to enable long-term space habitation, and to use these innovations to improve on Earth sustainability.

Kevin and Emma explored with Matt the infinite possibilities of space agricolture, from business models to medicine frontiers, from the (quite unremarkable) diet of the astronauts to the future of nutrition on Earth.

Enjoy this truly enlightening chat!

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With a strong pragmatic approach rich of examples and hands-on data knowledge, Space Economy Insights is the first podcast tackling the Space Economy sector from behind the scene. Don't miss an episode, only on SpaceWatch.Global.

Space Economy Insights is proudly sponsored by Privateer, which is creating the data infrastructure that will enable sustainable growth for the new space economy. Check them out at https://mission.privateer.com/

Please visit us at SpaceWatch.Global, subscribe to our newsletters.
Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!