Niels Buus is a renowned veteran in the space and defence industry, widely recognized for his role as the CEO of GOMspace, one of the few European satellite companies to go public.In this episode of Rockets & Radars, Niels shares his inspiring personal and professional journey, from his early days as a car mechanic through his tenure at GOMspace. The conversation delves into the evolution of GOMspace, the leadership lessons he learned during his tenure at Terma, and his insights into the critical role of startups within the space ecosystem. Niels offers invaluable advice for early-stage founders and underscores the importance of quality and reliability in space components. He also reflects on the future of the space industry, highlighting the need for European competitiveness and the industrialization of the space sector.Get intro to Niels: https://brdg.app/s/81om74-----------------------------------------------Timestamps

⁠(00:00)⁠ Introduction

⁠(02:54⁠) Niels Buus: A Journey from Mechanic to CEO

⁠(08:51⁠) Leadership Lessons from Terma

⁠(12:06)⁠ Entrepreneurship at Gatehouse

⁠(15:00)⁠ Underwater Exploration and Its Lessons for Space

⁠(17:47⁠) The Role of Startups in the Space Ecosystem

(⁠21:02⁠) Quality and Reliability in Space Components

⁠(23:51)⁠ GOMspace: From Academia to Industry

⁠(27:08⁠) Advice for Early Stage Founders

⁠(29:01⁠) Navigating Early Business Challenges

⁠(31:54⁠) Transitioning to Leadership

⁠(32:50⁠) The Journey to Going Public

⁠(36:05⁠) Learning from Mistakes

⁠(40:45)⁠ Reflections on Leadership Transition

⁠(43:12⁠) Future of the Space Industry

⁠(47:17⁠) Comparing Space and Wind Industries

⁠(52:57) Strategies for European Competitiveness

⁠(53:54)⁠ Rapid Fire Questions-----------------------------------------------Takeaways

• Everything in space is only prototypes.
• Leadership is about staying in the room during tough discussions.
• Entrepreneurship requires a focus on cash flow and product delivery.
• The space industry needs to prioritize quality and reliability.
• Startups should focus on new instruments and capabilities, not building everything in house.
• Collaboration between big companies and startups is essential.
• Mentorship is crucial for young entrepreneurs to navigate challenges.
• Founders should remain in charge for as long as possible.
• Going public can be a necessary step for rapid growth.
• Learning from mistakes is essential for long-term success.
• The space industry needs to move towards industrialization.
• European companies should find their own path rather than copying the US.
• Quality and reliability are key to attracting investment in the space sector.
• Collaboration among smaller companies can enhance competitiveness.
• The future of humanity will involve colonizing the moon which is happening soon.