Sustainable In-Orbit Servicing | Imperial College Business School, Wicked Acceleration Labs
Sustainable In-Orbit Servicing | Imperial College Business School, Wicked Acceleration Labs
Sustainable In-Orbit Servicing | Imperial College Business School, Wicked Acceleration Labs
Research, Business Strategy, UX Design
Research, Business Strategy, UX Design
Research, Business Strategy, UX Design
I was selected as one of the 50 students from the Royal College of Art and Imperial College Business School to participate in the Wicked Problems and Systems Dynamics class at Imperial College Business School. Taught by the legendary Dr. Steve Blank from Stanford University, in collaboration with Wicked Acceleration Labs, this was an intensive six week module.
We were introduced to 8 "wicked" problems and we had to select one to work on, apply concepts of design thinking, strategy and lean entrepreneurship to come up with an MVP.
Our team chose the topic of Space Sustainability, especially in in-orbit servicing, with our sponsor being Lockheed Martin.
I was selected as one of the 50 students from the Royal College of Art and Imperial College Business School to participate in the Wicked Problems and Systems Dynamics class at Imperial College Business School. Taught by the legendary Dr. Steve Blank from Stanford University, in collaboration with Wicked Acceleration Labs, this was an intensive six week module.
We were introduced to 8 "wicked" problems and we had to select one to work on, apply concepts of design thinking, strategy and lean entrepreneurship to come up with an MVP.
Our team chose the topic of Space Sustainability, especially in in-orbit servicing, with our sponsor being Lockheed Martin.
Team : Felicity Box, Hasith Kalpage, Shivendra Selvam, Rasmus Rees, Yashasri Sadagopan.
Role : Research, UX Design of digital prototype.
Timeline : June 2023 - July 2023
Sponsor : Lockheed Martin
Tutors: Dr. Steve Blank, Cristobal Garcia
Team : Felicity Box, Hasith Kalpage, Shivendra Selvam, Rasmus Rees, Yashasri Sadagopan.
Role : Research, UX Design of digital prototype.
Timeline : June 2023 - July 2023
Sponsor : Lockheed Martin
Tutors: Dr. Steve Blank, Cristobal Garcia
Project Summary
Project Summary
Week 1
Understanding the "Wicked Problem"
Week 1
Understanding the "Wicked Problem"
The module began with understanding the problem we were looking at. This included secondary research and deconstructing the complex area of space sustainability like understanding the context, size of the problem and numbers, current initiatives taken, economic viability, technology and policy considerations . Then we made a map of the important stakeholders involved in the space industry.
Key lessons learnt this week were techniques to deconstruct wicked problems, Impact Hypothesis, creating innovation at speed and systems thinking.
The module began with understanding the problem we were looking at. This included secondary research and deconstructing the complex area of space sustainability like understanding the context, size of the problem and numbers, current initiatives taken, economic viability, technology and policy considerations . Then we made a map of the important stakeholders involved in the space industry.
Key lessons learnt this week were techniques to deconstruct wicked problems, Impact Hypothesis, creating innovation at speed and systems thinking.
Week 2
Research and Re-framing the Problem
Week 2
Research and Re-framing the Problem
Our secondary research included understanding the space economy and space sustainability issues. We landed on the problem of increasing the Kessler Syndrome proposed by NASA scientist Donald J. Kessler in 1978, in which the density of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) due to space pollution is high enough that collisions between objects could cause a cascade in which each collision generates space debris that increases the likelihood of further collisions.
Our secondary research included understanding the space economy and space sustainability issues. We landed on the problem of increasing the Kessler Syndrome proposed by NASA scientist Donald J. Kessler in 1978, in which the density of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) due to space pollution is high enough that collisions between objects could cause a cascade in which each collision generates space debris that increases the likelihood of further collisions.
Primary Research
We had a lot of stakeholder conversations over the next week. During our first round of interviews with Lockheed Martin and D-Orbit, we discovered that the viable market for in-orbit servicing is at least 15 years off!
We decided to focus on market acceleration to condense timeline for in-orbit servicing and aim to create a market by regulating sustainability in space. Then we spoke to customers with our redefined understanding of the problem, and look for existing market solutions.
We decided to focus on market acceleration to condense timeline for in-orbit servicing and aim to create a market by regulating sustainability in space. Then we spoke to customers with our redefined understanding of the problem, and look for existing market solutions.
Week 3
Validating Assumptions and Generating Insights
Week 3
Validating Assumptions and Generating Insights
Through our stakeholder conversations, we validated our assumptions as follows:
Through our stakeholder conversations, we validated our assumptions as follows:
Next, we drew the following insights:
Next, we drew the following insights:
Opportunity for SpaceX
Week 4
Concept Development - The Kessler Foundation
Week 4
Concept Development - The Kessler Foundation
Going back to the initial understanding of the Kessler Syndrome, with the number of objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) increasing at an exponential rate, the likelihood of Kessler Syndrome becoming a reality is higher than ever. This is why the Kessler Foundation was born, if we intervene now there is still time to save LEO from Kessler Syndrome.
Our concept -The Kessler Foundation bridges the gap between increased satellite launches and mounting space debris. It has the following objectives:
1. Provide a lower-cost opportunity for all satellite businesses, regardless of size or budget, to act for space sustainability by contributing to a collaborative funding pool.
2. Give grants to early stage businesses developing space debris adaption, mitigation and removal solutions.
3. Fund research into the impacts of orbit activities on Earth's atmosphere and climate.
Going back to the initial understanding of the Kessler Syndrome, with the number of objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) increasing at an exponential rate, the likelihood of Kessler Syndrome becoming a reality is higher than ever. This is why the Kessler Foundation was born, if we intervene now there is still time to save LEO from Kessler Syndrome.
Our concept -The Kessler Foundation bridges the gap between increased satellite launches and mounting space debris. It has the following objectives:
1. Provide a lower-cost opportunity for all satellite businesses, regardless of size or budget, to act for space sustainability by contributing to a collaborative funding pool.
2. Give grants to early stage businesses developing space debris adaption, mitigation and removal solutions.
3. Fund research into the impacts of orbit activities on Earth's atmosphere and climate.
Landing Page
Grants
Key Pillars
How our MVP progressed
We attended the FASI Space and Sustainability Lecture to validate our assumptions about sustainability in space and test idea of Kessler Foundation.
We further tested the Kessler Foundation with customer interviews.
Sustainability is not a priority: We realised that any technological solution would have to solve cost or other issues to be market viable.
Business Perspective: We discovered that businesses will not fund a foundation which will make getting launch permits harder and will move launch sites to access less regulation. Businesses prepared to donate some money to space sustainability, but not part of daily operating practice.
Market Acceleration: We realised we can accelerate the market by accelerating innovation, pooling the money from lots of different companies and offering it as grants.
Validation: Potential grant applicants love the idea, and are confident it could accelerate the market around space sustainability, starting with tackling space debris. Now we need to validate the idea with CSR reps from satcoms companies to check we have an income stream.
We attended the FASI Space and Sustainability Lecture to validate our assumptions about sustainability in space and test idea of Kessler Foundation.
We further tested the Kessler Foundation with customer interviews.
Sustainability is not a priority: We realised that any technological solution would have to solve cost or other issues to be market viable.
Business Perspective: We discovered that businesses will not fund a foundation which will make getting launch permits harder and will move launch sites to access less regulation. Businesses prepared to donate some money to space sustainability, but not part of daily operating practice.
Market Acceleration: We realised we can accelerate the market by accelerating innovation, pooling the money from lots of different companies and offering it as grants.
Validation: Potential grant applicants love the idea, and are confident it could accelerate the market around space sustainability, starting with tackling space debris. Now we need to validate the idea with CSR reps from satcoms companies to check we have an income stream.
Risks
Week 5
Funding and Business Model
Mission Model Canvas
Week 5
Funding and Business Model
Mission Model Canvas
Funding Model
Next Steps
To conclude
Week 6
Wisdom in Retrospect
The five of us come from vastly different backgrounds and we collaborated with our complementary skillsets very well.
This project gave us a practical, hands-on introduction to tools to map, sense, understand and potentially solve wicked problems.
It also gave us the confidence and tools to stop getting intimidating by problems and work on solving them.
We are deeply grateful to our tutors - Dr. Steve Blank and Cristobal Garcia for this rewarding experience.
The five of us come from vastly different backgrounds and we collaborated with our complementary skillsets very well.
This project gave us a practical, hands-on introduction to tools to map, sense, understand and potentially solve wicked problems.
It also gave us the confidence and tools to stop getting intimidating by problems and work on solving them.
We are deeply grateful to our tutors - Dr. Steve Blank and Cristobal Garcia for this rewarding experience.
The five of us come from vastly different backgrounds and we collaborated with our complementary skillsets very well.
This project gave us a practical, hands-on introduction to tools to map, sense, understand and potentially solve wicked problems.
It also gave us the confidence and tools to stop getting intimidating by problems and work on solving them.
We are deeply grateful to our tutors - Dr. Steve Blank and Cristobal Garcia for this rewarding experience.
