TechVibe Radio is back on air at ESPN 970 AM every Saturday at 8:00 a.m.
Our region is becoming a hotbed of robotics, materials and innovation companies that are plugging directly into the space industry.
On this broadcast, we welcome Justine Kasznica, Babst Calland Shareholder and Head of the Emerging Technology Practice Group; Mike Docherty, Managing Partner at NextBig; and John Donehoo, Co-Founder and Lead of the Pittsburgh Space Collaborative. They will detail how the collaborative will unify this emerging cluster to create awareness, opportunity and more momentum moving into the future.
Yes, Pittsburgh is helping the world get into space! Tune in for the full story and geek out with us!
Transcription:
I tell you what I am really excited about today's show. We're gonna be talking about the Pittsburgh Space Collaborative To me, this is just so exciting. Audrey we are on like a space mission these past couple of weeks. You know, last week, we were talking to Astrobotic about their grand opening and a little fact that they're gonna landing stuff on the moon from Pittsburgh, you know, and we started realizing, you know, there's quite a industry growing here in Pittsburgh that kind of surrounds what it takes to put stuff into space. And it's pretty freakin cool. And we're gonna explore it more today because we are hanging out some really cool people cannot wait to talk to the great people we have in the house.
Alrighty, Jonathan, thanks for having us. My name is Justine Kasznica, I am a shareholder at Babst Calland. I'm an attorney. I run our emerging technologies and mobility practices. And I've been working with autonomous mobility clients and companies in this region for over a decade, supporting them with their corporate and technology IP transactional needs. I am also the outside General Counsel for Astrobotic. So, have a real deep insight into watching a Pittsburgh space company grow and and enjoy some successes in the last couple of years.
So yeah, they certainly have we have them on last week. It's great. Like, yes, I and so who else is in the house, Michael, you want to introduce yourself?
Sure. Mike Mike Docherty here. I'm part of the founding team for the Pittsburgh space collaborative and really excited to be to be part of this discussion today. My other day job is as managing partner of a small venture creation firm called Next Big based in Pittsburgh. And my third day job is I'm also Executive Director for a nonprofit called into market, which is advancing manufacturing materials technologies in the tri state.
Like a lot of spare time. Okay, great, Michael. And so, john, how are you?
Good. Good. Thanks for having me. It's exciting to be here. My name is John Donehoo. I have spent about last 25 years my career as a clinical pharmacist in the Pittsburgh area. And last three years of kind of found my way to working now full time on the Pittsburgh space collaborative and helping lead these efforts. So we heard you going full time on this
thing. That's why we this is becoming real now. Because you're there for seven to make this thing happen. And we're just so excited that Pittsburgh has a space collaborative now. Because I mean, we got the companies we got the talent, we got the the innovation, how do we kind of put that all together and make it grow and flourish even more in Pittsburgh, which I think is just so exciting. And that's what we're gonna be talking about today. And I think our listeners are going to be absolutely amazed at some of the horsepower we have, you know, it's some it's in the seedling stages right now. But I think we've got enough embers burning to make a real real space fire here without a doubt. So I'm so excited to learn more about the space collaborative, people can get more engaged with it, and just learn more about what's going on here in the region, because there is a lot Thanks, guys, for hanging out with us today. really do appreciate it.
Happy to be here.
So let's let's talk about what Where do you want to start? You want to talk about the what is the space collaborative?
Definitely.
Great. I'll kick it off by just kind of describing right our mission, right? What's the mission and vision of that then? So for the Pittsburgh space collaborative, our our mission is to really envision, build and enable an ecosystem in the Pittsburgh region, across industry, academia, government, and then community that leverages and makes assessable this emerging commercial space economy. So it can deliver value based in outcomes here in the picture. For an area and, and so the vision and how this Pittsburgh space collaborative was formed. And where we are today is is really kind of fascinating. And when you think about I mean, even though space and aerospace hasn't really ever been part of like the popular Pittsburgh narrative, right, Pittsburgh has been involved in helping shape the space sector since the Apollo era, manufactured much of the steel, glass hardware communications, that contributed towards Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, right, so, so really exciting. And for me, like a lot of people, I've been a fan of space since I was a kid. Right space captures your imagination. It inspires this sense of adventure, boldness. And just one of those things I think makes life exciting. And so I said, I spent the last 20 years as a clinical pharmacist, and then about five or seven years ago, really started this noticing this resurgence of interest investment in like a just a lot of commercial activity from NASA and other global space agencies. And for the very first time ever, the emergence of private commercial space companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, rocket lab, and even our Pittsburgh and Astrobotic. And they're just doing some really extraordinary things. And you could kind of envision the idea of not maybe non professional astronauts, ourselves, right, and perhaps traveling, working, even living on another planet, like Mars, all seem possible, and attainable. And I think that's what really inspired me to transition from home and enthusiasts to wanting to find a way to contribute, and was intrigued by how this emerging global space activity economy could provide value to the Pittsburgh community, right? economically entrepreneurship, education, workforce research, and give people a reason to get excited about the future. Have the allow people to think differently about the work and maybe spark interest in new collaborations. And so it's been really exciting these past three years. And so about this time last year, a friend of mine, Jonathan Volk, he works for space commerce matters. And as part of our collaborative, we were trying to find a way to make Pittsburgh a participant in the space sector. And that's when we met Mike Daugherty is on the call. And because I read an article and Mike had done some work in the pits in Pittsburgh and thought his experience would be really helpful and make this happen. So I contacted him and told a little bit about who we are and what we wanted to do and asked if he wanted to help us out. And like most people in Pittsburgh, I've talked to about space, he was intrigued, but also, huh, space. Not sure I completely get it. But I'm open to learning more and seeing how I might help. And as you learn more, I think he began to see how space could be a really good fit for Pittsburgh and lead to some new, exciting opportunities that deliver value. So together, we organized an event. It was held in January, Carnegie Mellon University to find out if the Pittsburgh community agreed that space could add value to Pittsburgh, and how could they not agree? How could they not agree? Every now and let me chime in on that. JOHN? Mike here I you know, john definitely is the the the space geek in this group. I mean, he is absolutely passionate about this. It comes through clear I was not but but I'm a bit of a geek on these collaborative networks idea bringing groups gather. And I'm passionate about Pittsburgh. So. So to me, what this January event was about was an experiment. You know, if we invited some academics and some corporate folks, is there an energy around this or not? And it could have gone either way, quite frankly. Okay. We had about 50 people there, but that was just it. But it was the energy that did it. It was where we met Justine and met Justine there then now I mean, anybody through the industry? So it starts coming together at that point?
Absolutely. And Astrobotic did a great presentation. And, but but I think that event was a really kind of a really important point of kind of showing there was a real interest.
This was on the heels of Astrobotic's two years of success. So when they presented I think there was a tremendous energy in the room. And afterwards, we had sessions where folks who were present got together and vehemently agreed that there was an opportunity for that for us to get together as a working group on a monthly basis from that January timeframe to talk about who we are and how we grow into offering real value to the community and to the broader space sector. And so what happened, obviously, pandemic head. So we took our meetings, from in person meetings to online meetings. But we've had a consistent group of supporters in our working group participants, which we've been thrilled to see. And very quickly started to put together on a volunteer basis, tangible service offerings that I think bring real value to the community. One of the first things that we saw was, even though you know, Astrobotic may be the household name in Pittsburgh for a space company, per se. There's a ton of companies in town that have some aspect of and participation in the space industry already. And these are cross disciplinary companies, academic research platforms, medical research, opportunities. And so the groups, the group that joins our collaborative once a month, you know, these folks come from economic development, the universities, industry, and students are actively engaged with what we're doing, as well as you know, recreational passionate folks who probably watched too much Star Trek and Star Wars growing up, right. That being said, what we're doing is great. So the first real valuable product that we want to bring to the community is an ecosystem map, essentially a dynamic map of our Pittsburgh and then the broader region. And, you know, have folks have the ability to know who's in town and how they are engaged in and participating in the space industry. To give you an example, we're working with UPMC, and bear and our tremendous Health Sciences, we're already doing research around tissues and organ growth in zero G environments, putting that on paper and making sure that they feel welcome. And part of this inclusive space industry and ecosystem is very important to us. Advanced Manufacturing, and even traditional manufacturing, we are very good at that here. And we have a number of folks are presenting either organizations are actually companies that do this kind of work and have worked on specific space oriented materials and developments. Computing. This is just scratched the surface. And we're expecting to see more. But I think what Pittsburgh really has to offer us a tremendous cost of living advantage. Universities with talent that's uniquely positioned to dominate this space mobility and robotics being at the forefront of it of space. When someone thinks about space 2.0 you can't think of development without thinking about robotics, and a whole host of interdisciplinary connections. That's just the beginning. So that ecosystem map is one thing that we're very proud of. We're also putting together a government relations group that's focused on making liaisons and networks to the local state and federal contacts that really care about this region and also about the work that we are doing. We're also talking about programming, and sponsorships and even research and I'll talk a little bit about that. When we come back.
Absolutely. We are taking a quick break. But we are coming back with a lot more about the Pittsburgh space collaborative. I'm hoping tech vibe radio becomes the official radio station of the Pittsburgh space collaborative to speak all the good work that's coming out there.
Welcome back, everybody, you are listening to tech vibe radio. And indeed, we have been talking about the Pittsburgh space collaborative. I think it's so cool that Pittsburgh is spinning something like this up, without a doubt, very unique to Pittsburgh, otter, you know, during the break, get a quick little conversation about how this people can get behind space, no matter what side of the aisle you're on. It offers a glimmer of hope to lots of people, right? I mean, it's something where it's like it gets kids interested in science and technology and math and expand on that point for us. I just think it's so important that we kind of kick off with that, because I just think it's a great point.
Well, I think the most important point here and Justine mentioned it, as we kicked off earlier, is really what we're talking about is building upon our assets and building upon stuff that we make and the adjacent markets. So the most exciting thing to me is that this is one of the first opportunities if we want to think about the next iteration of Pittsburgh, where we're really attracting people from around the world, where they actually have an opportunity to work on something so discreet, but they also get to be a part of what's a newly formed elaborative of companies that all are doing things where they can have a presence in this new world order of space, in terms of work. So I want to pass the baton to Justine just sort of talk about that vision there. And the practicality because she has been in working in space for over a decade. So she knows the array and the cast of characters that are actually doing this work and why it's tremendous, and actually almost as like an imperative for us as we move out of this post cold world. Well, I want to lay the groundwork by saying that over the last decade, we've seen a paradigmatic shift across the globe, really led by the US into a space age 2.0. And it's driven by access. So commercial access, and general access to space is the number one driver of what's happening today. We see privatization of space. with companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin rocket lab, we're seeing the cost of space access plummet, with reusable launch vehicles, satellite constellations being deployed. I mean, I'm excited to report that over 80 countries now have satellites in orbit, talking about access, that's global spaces it, the Bank of America put out a market report in October, saying that space in 2019 was at about $424 billion as an industry market. And it's expected to grow into 2.7 trillion by 2050. So one of the highest compound annual growth rates of an industry sector that we're seeing, largely recession proof due to the public private nature of what it means to be engaged in space. And we're seeing tremendous and serious investments being made in space startups. Now is the time so whenever anyone asks us at the space collaborative, why are we doing this now, we are reacting to what we're seeing as clear writing on the wall when we were reacting to it strategically because we believe Pittsburgh has something to offer that is unique. When you think about the traditional space sectors right Huntsville, Alabama propulsion city, Space Coast, West Coast activity in space. Pittsburgh brings to the table a unique blend of low cost of living, tremendous passion and a workmanship ethic and an appeal to companies that are not just pure software plays that have the the impetus and tenacity to survive for long periods of time. We have universities, we have a second to none, robotics community here and research community here, globally. And of course, robotics, we all know is going to be the future of space development cislunar ecosystem development. We have traditional advanced manufacturing computing, including the space Computing Center called Shrek at the University of Pittsburgh, where they felt they saw the same thing we are seeing. And I themselves selected Pittsburgh, as the location where they would put together a National Space Computing Center, material sciences. We are very strong in health sciences. And there's as we think about living off Earth and living off Earth in a serious way. Human Health is going to be at the forefront of what we need to be prepared for. And of course, our robust economic and workforce development investments that we've made. I know that Pittsburgh tech Council is very involved in that along with all of the partners that we have here. And then just finally, proximity and our geographic location. We have Within a four hour drive of DC would false, you know space policy decisions are made. Langley, Glenn NASA centers are nearby, the West Virginia vnv Center is here, just a short drive away. And of course, f works is opening up their innovation center in Ohio, we are very well positioned to tap into strong strategic partnerships that are nearby to leverage and grow this industry in Pittsburgh and her surrounding region. This is the time is the right place to do this.
Well, I you know, again, I think the the whole notion of hope, and the fact that we really are talking about something that, you know, someone said to me not too long ago, you know, Audrey, if you really want to attract more people into science, technology, engineering and math, you really you got to make it cool, and you got to make it hip. And this is the first time that I'm thinking about, you know, this is pretty easy to make exciting, and to instill a sense of possibility. And it's the first time that I've really heard something that resonates with me, when I think about what it means for the future in terms of the next generation of people who go into the workforce.
Yeah, I try if I can build on that. And one of the things I'm glad you brought this topic up, because I think if we do this, right, it isn't just about the high tech part of this space is definitely about technology. But this really has the opportunity to be inclusive in terms of creating manufacturing jobs. I mean, imagine if we could start reusing excess carbon to make graphene or carbon fiber in the in the Appalachian Valley. I mean, there's just, that's such a strong workforce, in terms of ability to kind of create this ecosystem around the technology. I think there's a really, really cool opportunities.
What is focusing on our youth, right, and one of the things that Astrobotic that we recently did was we built the Astrobotic foundation to build a museum on the north side, to actually not just make, we're talking about making space accessible by the lower cost of access to space, we're also talking about making space literally accessible to the people here and the future generations, and to make sure that they know that you just you don't have to just be an astronaut to be engaged in space anymore. You can be a lawyer, a doctor, a policymaker, an accountant. I mean, there are a host of non traditional space, occupations that people can participate in the space industry in a meaningful way. And that's just scratching the surface. Of course, we are with the universities and schools here, we are working to help build that early workforce development opportunity in Pittsburgh as well.
I feel like really drinking out of a fire hose here to a certain point. And it's like, how do you get the first drops of water into the ends of the glass? And so I mean, john, like I mean, is you leading up the whole space collaborative, workspace collaborative. Now you got to start funneling all this opportunity. I mean, everything is making my mind heard almost.
It is it's really exciting what everybody's been to just be a part of it, because it is something new for Pittsburgh, and as everyone has said, what we enjoy about it, and what's exciting is that how it does offer such diverse opportunity, right? So again, whatever you are currently passionate about, or really good at, there are applications for that within the space sector, which is interesting, because it might provide people in an opportunity again, to think a little bit differently about their work, right, collaborate in new ways that they didn't really imagine for that can enable a lot of really exciting things to happen. And for us, again, a lot of it is just making all this relevant and relatable to people, right, so that they can find a way that makes sense for them to participate. Right, that is a lot of it.
I think it just turns everything upside down. The way I'm listening to this right now, I'm just saying, plant a flag, grab it, and just say Pittsburgh space 5.0 That's it. I love it, and just plant a flag and just say that's it and we're not having any backwards conversations. We're not looking at people saying no, that's not possible. We're just saying no, that's, that's it. We're gonna find the inter, you know, capabilities and the opportunities up and downstream. And we're gonna do it. And that's how we got to space the last time, right. Yeah, it's not this time. I think you have tremendous passion and will with this group and we're looking for even more engagement. We are in the beginning of it so now's the time to join. We are actively looking for new companies, new participants, individuals, companies organizations, doesn't matter. If you are interested in exploring what this Pittsburgh space collaborative has to offer, we're going to be coming at you with really exciting new developments that john will talk a little bit about. But really, we're inviting everyone because you can design what the future of the Pittsburgh space collaborative will be. And we're excited to have your participation. JOHN, you talk a little bit about where we're headed.
Got a couple minutes left. So why the down with with where you guys are heading, and we'll, we'll call it a day here, for sure. So exciting.
Sure. So we're looking towards we are creating a website that will give us a greater presence and enable us to have greater interaction with people. And the meantime, we're inviting everyone who wants to learn more and be a part of this, you can contact me at info at PGH space.org. So info at PGH space.org. And like to hear from you. And as we said, space is all about saying yes, right? everything that we're doing is about challenging the status quo. Right, thinking differently. We might do things a little bit differently, but we're going to get it right. And it's really exciting to do this together in the Pittsburgh area.
Great stuff all around to what an honor to talk to you guys to be the first word out about the work that you are doing are going to be doing more of here in Pittsburgh to really make Pittsburgh a center of space. Innovation. What a cool story cannot thank you enough. We had Justine because Nisha from Babs Cowan hanging out with us, Mike Daugherty next big and john Donnie, who of course the new co founder and leader of the Pittsburgh space collaborative. You guys have a bunch of work in front of you, but his work that is just really just kicking butt and really putting Pittsburgh on the map. Thanks for being part of tech by radio today. You are making Pittsburgh proud, that's for sure. This has been Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo.
We are from the Pittsburgh Technology Council through and through learn more about us at PGH tech.org. Follow us on Twitter at PGH tech after you do all of that. Have yourself an awesome Saturday afternoon, everybody.
Thanks for listening to tech vibe radio coming at you from the Huntington bank studios. And thanks to our sponsors see leveled PNC Bank, my benefit advisors 321 blink chorus, call copy genetics and sdlc partners geeking out with us each and every week.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai