By Louis Zacharilla. My first observation was that the dress code in the heart of “New Space” is different than the one I live with in Washington, New York and Paris.  Fortunately I had been warned. “Wear a tie and you will be killed,” I was told bluntly.  Seemed harsh but I packed one anyway (old habits die hard) but kept it hidden in my suitcase.  (Only the TIA knew.)  I never needed it because once there I was made to feel comfortable, not intimidated.  Very.  So here are two things you need to know about Silicon Valley, where SSPI and ManSat CEO chairman Chris Stott and I ventured last week to help boot-up your newest SSPI chapter:  there is no dress code and, “New Space” cannot wait to be connected with “Old Space.” 

Silicon Valley is the ideal place for our industry to expand.  It is insistently creative and, like a satellite, designed to be all-encompassing, with far-reaching influence.  It is also a place that will help SSPI accomplish its BIG GOALS, such as helping satellites gain more traction as we build a better world and a more prosperous industry.  The free flow of innovation and talent oozing through the area is the oil we need to lubricate Satellite 2.0.  In Silicon Valley one brings ideas and drive to the table.  If done right you find an eager audience that judges you on what you have to say and how it applies to them, rather than on whether you are wearing a “power suit” or know the right general back inside the Pentagon.   Don’t get me wrong, I like to dress well – love it, actually – and salute generals.  But I really like a place where the substance behind the threads is propelling smaller sats, software and fleets to transform the relationship among satellites, academia and investment capital.

Chris Stott says about our new chapter, “The Silicon Valley chapter is a natural and a welcome fit for the Society. The energy at the opening session was palpable; networking at its best.  You know the timing is right when you cannot believe you did not do this sooner!”  

Therefore I can report to SSPI members that our two days of events and meetings (May 20-21) in Silicon Valley were a success.  We helped companies which already support SSPI (like Space Systems Loral and Boeing) and those getting to know us (like Silicon Valley Space Ventures and startups like Aquila Space) understand the benefits of SSPI affiliation.  They will help us further focus on the commercial and global mission for our members.   

For those unable to attend, an opening “mixer” took place at the law office of Hogan Lovells in Menlo Park, California on the 20th.  Special thanks to Randy S. Segal, John Booher and (former SSPI Future Leader Promise recipient) Erin Weber for their hard work and enthusiasm.  At least 80 people showed to hear Chris and I review the SSPI mission and go lightly over the new Better Satellite World campaign.  #bettersatelliteworld. 

Special thanks as well to Arianespace, for the swag gift (blue soccer balls for every attendee) and our media sponsor, Satnews, whose Winemaker-in-Chief Silvano Payne and Jill Durfee promoted the event and suitably managed the flow of wine, which Silvano brought from his own Napa vineyard.  The cabernet was as beautiful and smooth as an Arianespace launch!   

For me the evening had several highlights.  The most touching was the presence of the artist of our Better Satellite World campaign logo, Hannah Smith, and her parents Beth and Ron Smith (both SSL employees.)  I told her that her drawing (seen here) inspired me to consider the theme and the campaign.  She informed me that she had drawn it in six minutes when children of SSL employees spent a day with their parents. It ended up on the company’s annual calendar and now on every corner of the world touched by satellite, including the websites of our endorsing companies.  Chris did not miss the link between our future leaders and articulated it in several conversations with Hannah at his side.

The following morning 20 people showed-up early for the hard work of developing the committee and the plan for the long-term activities of the Silicon Valley chapter.  Special thanks to Silicon Valley Space Center and its founder, Dr. Sean Casey, for stepping-up to serve as interim president.  Thanks also to SSPI international board member Dawn Harms for inserting Boeing into this process and to SSL, for agreeing to host the second event.  Finally, thanks to the many companies and ventures in Silicon Valley who are rolling-up their sleeves and putting this chapter into our orbit.