Commercialization of post-educational projects – challenges and opportunities for space industry
- Paper number
IAC-15,D4,2,3,x31155
- Author
Mr. Maciej Urbanowicz, Sonda Association, SSBV Polska Sp. z o.o., Poland
- Year
2015
- Abstract
Educational projects made by student around the world are getting more popular each year. Over the years, the number of projects increased – especially in developing countries – from a few up to dozen. Young professionals start working on space-related projects, which aim to enhance a knowledge and experience of their authors. But what to do after the project is finished? Usually they cannot find an answer on this question. Developing countries, for example Poland, have a problem with such projects and teams, which are not well recognized by a local industry. Furthermore if national space policy does not contain (if exists) a program for young professionals, these people often chose their own way – usually not related with space. The question is – how to keep all of these people in the space industry and let them develop products? There are dozens of ideas, but one is significant – creating a space hubs in developing countries which assemble people and teams who were involved in educational projects. These hubs shall involve industry and venture capitals, as well market-oriented managers, to develop spin-offs and/or groups (teams) which will be developing technologies that might be key-drivers for national space policy and interest. Developed countries have already created hub-like organizations. A good example is the Netherlands. There are several companies created by young professionals who started working on space-related projects during their studies, then started developing their own businesses. A successful business shall be developed in cooperation of managers, engineers – and final users. So even the best idea for a device, software or service shall be analyzed and proofed that can sustain in the market. Could it be applied to developing countries? This question cannot be answered in a short way due to a specific nature of local scientific and political environment in developing countries. But there is a solution which is proposed by the author of this paper, based on his great experience and knowledge gathered in several student projects, for example the PW-Sat – the 1st Polish satellite.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)