Space Mission 2.0: Houston, TX

Space Mission 2.0 (15-20 November 2015), the second mission in the Space Mission UK series, saw 5 innovative UK entrepreneurs working in the space and nanosatellite applications sector visit Houston, Texas for a mission centred around SpaceCom Expo. The mission was supported by Innovate UK and DIT (UKTI), and organised by Chinwag.

Mission Programme

Sunday, 15th November

AM: Travel // London Heathrow to Houston George Bush International

[14.20: Airport transfer // check in to hotel]

Location:
Crowne Plaza River Oaks Houston
2712 Southwest Fwy
Houston,
TX 77098

[ACCLIMATISATION] – time to settle in

Monday, 16th November

Morning:  Space Mission 2.0 Kick off Breakfast
Morning: Space Mission has landed, Houston welcome]

Talking business opportunities, local support available and download on space/satellite sector activities in/around Houston. [Mission company (2 minute pitches) followed by panel session // BAHEP, City of Houston, Houston Spaceport & Rice Space Institute]

Afternoon: Dealing with ITAR

Discussion on International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) ­ presented by Joiner Law Firm PLLC, will help showcase collaboration between US and UK businesses and challenges faced to make this happen.

Evening: Informal meetup

Tuesday, 17th November

Day at SpaceCom Expo: SA Catapult focused sessions

10.45 – 11.30   New Business Opportunities from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) –  Stuart Martin

15.00 – 16.15   Industry Challenges in Medicine, Energy and Maritime (speakers include

Michael Jones from the Maritime Alliance and Nick Lambert)

  • Medical: Remote Medicine
  • Energy: Working in Extreme Environments
  • Transforming Transportation: Autonomous Cars and Maritime Industry
  • Maritime: Fostering Collaboration Between the Blue Economy and the Space Economy

Wednesday, 18th November

Morning: Working brunch – NASA Ames//Gary Martin
NASA Ames Research Center, one of ten NASA field enters, is located in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley. For more than 75 years, Ames has led NASA in conducting world-class research and development in aeronautics, exploration technology and science aligned with the center’s core capabilities.

Afternoon: UK Pavilion at SA Catapult Stand

{Meet the Space Mission companies}

Opportunity for companies to showcase their products and services. Distribute materials. Concierge service to collect leads. Opportunity to attend conference sessions.

Evening: Consul General reception, Houston

Thursday, 19th November

Morning: Space Mission Breakfast Reception

supported by Houston Angel Network

Investor networking breakfast followed by formal company pitches to Houston Space Angel Network & invited guests.

This event will draw on the below SpaceCom Expo session: (companies to attend)

[INVESTING IN SPACE]

Space Com: Financing innovation for the new space race – Industry Roundtable Solution Critiques

  • Sean Casey, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Silicon Valley Space Center
  • Hoyt Davidson, Founder & Managing Partner, Near Earth, LLC
  • Juliana Garaizar, Managing Director, Houston Angel Network
  • Stephan Reckie, Founding Managing Member, Angelus Funding

Afternoon: NASA Johnson Space Center tours organised by SpaceCom Expo

Evening: Informal drinks // meetup

Friday, 20th November

Morning: Satellite capabilities for offshore observation
Meeting with Subsea Systems Institute, co-chaired by Bill Maddock, director at SSI and professor from the University of Houston and Dr. Shuhab Khan, Ph.D. Geosciences, University of Houston.

Subsea Systems Institute is a national research center for offshore Oil and Gas technologies receiving funding from penalties paid by BP and other federal and state funding.  The Institute is a consortia with the other two main partners being the Rice University Energy Research Center, and NASA Johnson Space Center (partners to join meeting)

(Talking points include satellite capabilities for offshore observation for everything from basic operations to spill monitoring and clean up)

Afternoon: Time to pack, final meetings, misc.

Evening: Return to the UK

 

For information on the companies who attended, see the Space Mission 2 – Companies page.