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Electronic device, Technology
Electronic device, Technology

Spotlight on Women’s

Leadership in the

Satellite Industry

Seven takeaways from our latest editorial roundtable with ops leaders from top experiental agencies

Interviews with the women who are blazing a
new trail and driving the satellite industry forward.

The space industry is known for having too few women CEOs, but the tide is changing and many amazing women are leading the way to a more diverse industry. This collection features some of Via Satellite editors’ favorite interviews with those women.

One of the cornerstones of our strategy to amplify the voices of women is “Celebrating Women in Satellite,” an annual feature that highlights the personal stories of women in the industry, written by their colleagues, mentors, mentees and friends. Over the past three years, this feature has taken off and has now featured more than 75 women in the industry — from CEOs to engineers, legal and policy experts, strategy and marketing, and more — in recognition of the diverse skill sets it takes to achieve success.

This collection features in-depth interviews with past winners of the Satellite Executive of the Year Award, which a woman has won three years in a row: most recently with Melanie Stricklan of Slingshot Aerospace, who won in 2022; Tina Ghataore of Mynaric in 2021; and SpaceX’s Gwynne Shotwell. Shotwell won the award for the second time in 2020 — the year that SpaceX returned human spaceflight capability to the United States and built Starlink into the world's largest satellite fleet.

This collection features other unique perspectives, like an interview with Eva Berneke soon after she took the helm of Eutelsat as the first woman CEO of a major satellite operator; Space Force Col. Jennifer Krolikowski, director of the Chief Information Office for Space Systems Command on how the U.S. Space Force manages cyber threats; and Sirisha Bandla recounting her trip to the edge of space on a Virgin Galactic flight.

Via Satellite also aims to highlight the perspectives of young women CEOs blazing a new trail in the industry. We see this in Kate Kallot with her bold vision for African startup Amini, Lucy Hoag’s mission to disrupt software with Violet Labs, and Airmo CEO Daria Stepanova’s plans to fight climate change with space data. We hope you will find many inspiring stories in this collection.

Spotlight on Women's Leadership in the Satellite Industry

How Planet Works with Partners to Accelerate its Impact With CFO Ashley Johnson
In this episode, we’re joined by Ashley Johnson, Planet CFO and president for a conversation about how satellite data contributes to transparency for peace and security, and how Planet works with partners to accelerate the impact of its data.
New Zealand’s First Space Minister Sets Out an Ambitious Space Roadmap
New Zealand is a country that punches above its weight in the space arena. The country, which has a population of just over 5 million people is making a big splash in space. Rocket Lab, one of the poster children of the New Space era, put New Zealand on the map.
Celebrating Women in Satellite 2024: Part 2
In 2024, more than 45 people wrote to Via Satellite celebrating the contributions of their colleagues, mentors, friends, and bosses. It was more than we could fit in the March edition for Celebrating Women in Satellite, so we are bringing you Part 2 in the April edition.
Celebrating Women in Satellite 2024
Now in its third year, Celebrating Women in Satellite recognizes the contributions of women who have made a difference for the space and satellite industry, and in the lives of their colleagues. This is a community-generated feature, with real stories of the women who drive this industry forward. This year, more than 40 people wrote in about their colleagues, mentors, friends, and bosses.
Celebrating Women in Satellite 2023
To commemorate International Women’s Day, Via Satellite celebrates women who have made a difference for the greater satellite and space industry, and in the lives of their colleagues. More than 75 people wrote about their mentors, colleagues, friends, and bosses — women that drive the industry forward through engineering, business development, regulatory policy, sales, and more.
Celebrating Women in Satellite 2023: Part 2
To commemorate International Women’s Day, Via Satellite celebrates women who have made a difference for the greater satellite and space industry, and in the lives of their colleagues. More than 75 people wrote about their mentors, colleagues, friends, and bosses — women that drive the industry forward through engineering, business development, regulatory policy, sales, and more.
Celebrating Women in Satellite 2022
To commemorate International Women’s Day, Via Satellite is celebrating women who have made a difference for the greater satellite and space industry, and in the lives of their colleagues. More than 40 people wrote about their mentors, friends, and bosses — women that drive the industry forward through engineering, business development, regulatory policy, sales, and more.
Integrity and Grit: Melanie Stricklan on How Slingshot Aerospace Earned the Space Industry’s Trust
Slingshot Aerospace, a relative newcomer in the space situational awareness market, has quickly earned the trust of satellite operators.
‘There's a Lot More Left for Me to Do’ — Mynaric CCO Tina Ghataore is Just Getting Started
Tina Ghataore, Mynaric’s chief commercial officer and president of the company’s U.S. division, won the 2021 Satellite Executive of the Year award on the back of Mynaric’s impressive deal flow.
Tina Ghataore Talks Joining Aerospacelab and Building its US Business
In August of this year European startup Aerospacelab announced the high-profile appointment of Tina Ghataore as its new group chief strategy and revenue officer, and CEO of Aerospacelab’s new branch in North America.
A Conversation With Gwynne Shotwell, 2020 Satellite Executive of the Year
Days before sending the Crew-2 mission to the ISS, Gwynne Shotwell jumps on the phone for an interview with Via Satellite while working at SpaceX’s facility in McGregor, Texas.
2017 Satellite Executive of the Year: Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO, SpaceX
It is 09:30 a.m. on her ranch in Texas, and we are talking to the 30th Via Satellite Executive of the Year, Gwynne Shotwell about everything from her history at SpaceX, her relationship with its founder and CEO, Elon Musk — the man she still calls “the boss” — and what it means for her to be the recipient of our award in its 30-year anniversary.
It all Started with a Suit: The Story Behind Shotwell’s Rise to SpaceX
A sharply dressed female engineer who was a speaker at a Society of Women Engineers’ event in 1979 at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago was the connection for Gwynne Shotwell to pursue a career in mechanical engineering, which would ultimately lead her on a path that would take her all the way to the heights of SpaceX, working for Elon Musk.
Boeing’s Michelle Parker on the Evolving Landscape of Satellite Manufacturing
Michelle Parker recently took on a new role as vice president of Space Mission Systems at Boeing.
Fostering Diversity in Satcom: Encouraging Women to Engage and Succeed
Just look around any satellite event, and you can tell instantly that the industry has a problem with diversity.

AGENCY OPS LEADERS

COPRODUCED WITH HIGHMARK OUTDOOR

Seven takeaways from our latest editorial roundtable with ops leaders from top experiential agencies

The Africa-Centric Approach at the Heart of Kate Kallot’s Bold Vision for Amini
With the world facing a series of environmental and climate changes, satellite companies will play a vital role in combating climate change.
Space Force Official Col. Krolikowski Examines the Cybersecurity Mindset
Space assets play a vital role in modern warfare and keeping them secure is a priority.
Eutelsat is Set for an Evolution With New CEO Eva Berneke
In late December, Eutelsat announced Eva Berneke as its new CEO, tapping a leader from outside of the industry at a pivotal time for the operator. Berneke, who has worked in the software and telecoms industries, joins Eutelsat as it shifts from a broadcast capacity provider toward a connectivity company.
Northrop Grumman Space CTO Outlines Her Vision for Sustainable Space
Sarah Schellpfeffer, CTO of Northrop Grumman’s Space sector, recently joined the opening general session at SATELLITE, which looked at how satellite business models and technologies are evolving in the multi-orbit ecosystem.
Violet Labs CEO Lucy Hoag: Bringing the Software Revolution to Satellite
Violet Labs is a company to keep an eye on as it looks to bring the best of software capabilities to the satellite industry.
Space DOTS CEO Bianca Cefalo Shares Company Vision for In-Orbit Testing and Data
Space DOTS is a U.K.-based space startup working to pioneer a paradigm shift in space materials qualification to expedite the process for the space industry.
Melissa Quinn Explains Her Spaceport Cornwall Departure, Next Steps for Spaceport
It could be another two to three years before another rocket launches from Spaceport Cornwall after the failed Virgin Orbit mission, says outgoing leader Melissa Quinn, who recently announced she will be leaving her role as head of the spaceport.
Airmo CEO Daria Stepanova Previews Commercial Deals for Climate Tech Startup
It seems hardly a week goes by without some harrowing prediction related to climate change. It is becoming increasingly clear that space companies will have a prominent role in the fight to minimize damage for climate change, as space-based data will provide insights into what can be done next.
UNIO Execs Katrin Bacic and Frederic Baker Outline Their Vision for the Future
UNIO Enterprise is an exciting new player in the European satellite sector as it looks to make a splash in the mobility sector, particularly in the automotive arena.
Tilebox Aims to Kickstart Space Data Revolution in Europe
European space startup Tilebox has a vision to radically improve how organizations manage and utilize space data. Co-founder and CCO Laura Costa recently spoke with Via Satellite about Tilebox’s mission, after the company recently raised $1.7 million in a pre-seed funding round.
Sirisha Bandla: My Story of Going to Space
Most people have group chats and use them to update family when there is big news, or just for the joy of talking to loved ones. But imagine opening up your phone, entering a family chat and typing: “A quick FYI, I am going to be going to space soon.”
Faces in Satellite: Rania Toukebri Looks to Democratize Space
Rania Toukebri is an aerospace engineer, who was really recently featured in a Space in Africa article, Top 10 Under 30 in the African Space Industry. Toukebri is certainly one to watch and one of the new generation of engineers in the space industry.
Faces in Satellite: Aida Al Yaaqoubi of Yahsat Takes Pride in Satcom’s Real-Life Applications
Yahsat has risen over the last two decades to become one of the biggest global operators. Aida Al Yaaqoubi, senior engineer for spacecraft analysis, joined Yahsat in 2016 after graduating from university.