Sean Mahoney

Big Announcement Y’all! I’m partnering with Front Door Defense to offer a course on Strategic Communications tailored specifically for Defense Tech startups. Here’s why: Over the past year, while serving as a fractional Chief Communications Officer and consultant with Aerospace & Defense startups, I’ve seen firsthand the tremendous potential and innovation within this sector. But I’ve also seen the missed opportunities (from companies that weren’t clients, I should add 😊). So many companies miss the chance to properly tell their story - and to grow their business. They can’t afford this. And neither can the United States and its Allies There's a reason the Primes collectively spend hundreds of millions annually on Communications and Marketing. I know because as a Communications executive at a Fortune 50 Prime, I used these tools to help win billions in new business. Startups don't have those kinds of budgets. I get it. And frankly, if they do things right... they don't need 'em. Here’s the deal: The only way we outpace, deter and defeat our adversaries is by enhancing our industrial capabilities. DefTech startups are the key to this effort. They’re injecting much-needed energy, enthusiasm, and yes -- innovation -- into the industrial base. But we’ve got to help them break through. So in this new course, we’ll give DefTech startups the tools to cut through the noise, get their solutions in front of decision-makers, shape policy, and cross the valley of death. Because it’s all about putting the innovative systems they’re building into the hands of the warfighter. DefTech startups deserve the same competitive edge as the Primes. Let’s give them that shot. Want to learn more? I dropped a link to the course in the comments below. Questions? Shoot me a note.       Onwards! 🚀 Noah Sheinbaum

86

15 Comments

🚀 Some key insights from Payload's interview with Sinead O'Sullivan about the space industry: - The industry is "irrational". Start-ups rely on SpaceX for success, but SpaceX doesn't have their best interests at heart. Investors in the start-ups seem to look past this. - SpaceX can't justify its valuation with investors due to unclear and potentially unsustainable profits, yet people continue to invest in SpaceX - possibly more due to personal ethos. - The space industry needs new funding mechanisms due to the long cycle for revenue generation. Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gMqkhMsH #spaceindustry #spaceeconomy #SpaceX #Payload #SineadOSullivan

6

I want to bring to your attention an important and timely panel discussion sponsored by the Washington Space Business Roundtable, "Launching The Next Generation Of Lift: Perspectives From Providers." After years of bottleneck in availability and capacity, the second-half of this decade may be a renaissance in space launch. Several larger, more capable, cheaper rockets – including ULA’s Vulcan, Arianespace’s Ariane 6, Rocket Lab’s Neutron, as well as several other high-profile vehicles – are now entering service or are soon slated to. With these changing dynamics, opportunities (and questions) abound regarding the impact of the next-generation of launch on the space economy. The panel discussion features executives from several leading launch providers working on next-gen capabilities: Arianespace, Rocket Lab, & United Launch Alliance. Through open discussion with our speakers, hear their views on the shifting launch market, how they’re competitively positioning their vehicles, and what the future of an evolving launch sector may hold for the broader space community. The luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25, at Hogan & Lovells LLP, 555 13th St, NW, DC. Deadline for registration is Thursday, June 20, 12Noon eastern. I hope to see as many of you there as possible. Shaping up to be a terrific discussion. https://lnkd.in/eMVMaiDy

32

2 Comments

Day #3: Government Efficiency Initiatives - Pay for Performance An underlying issue with Government Efficiency is a work force that is not tied to the bottom-line. This is particularly problematic for those in acquisition, as there is no direct incentive to optimize cost. While this efficiency initiative seeks to broadly make more of the pay of a government worker based on performance, this will have the greatest impact in Acquisitions. Also, if tax on bonus and overtime is eliminated, this could be a very lucrative incentive indeed... Running List of Government Efficiency Initiatives: #1: FFP Contracts Only #2: 1 Acquisition System #3: Pay for Performance (Government Employees)

1

Delighted to join the ASPRS Mentors Podcast on July 10th at 1 p.m. ET! Join me as we explore the evolving geospatial applications, fueled by AI and edge technologies, and delve into lidar's transformative role in different sectors. I'll be sharing insights on navigating academia and industry, starting out in lidar and photogrammetry, and offering advices for aspiring young professionals in geospatial and remote sensing. Don't miss out! #TeledyneGeospatial #Lidar #RemoteSensing #ASPRS #Podcast #ECPC

34

2 Comments

Aperio’s Week of Space This week, Aperio Global, LLC has been at the forefront of critical discussions shaping the future of space. Here’s how we’ve engaged across the spectrum of space policy, strategy, and innovation: Connected DMV: This gathering brought together the region’s foremost space leaders, showcasing the DMV’s unique potential as the epicenter of global space excellence. With its unparalleled concentration of talent, innovation, and strategic partnerships, the DMV is poised to shape the future of the space domain and drive strategic alignment to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of space innovation. Thank you to Fairfax County Economic Development Authority for including us. El Gardner’s Space Force Association Article: A compelling narrative on the growing importance of space operations and the strategic role of Guardians. It resonates with our work supporting #USSPACECOM and the broader mission of maintaining space superiority. The Space Power Conference is next week, so it is not too late to register, so don't miss it! 11th Annual Space Resiliency Summit: We closed of the week by engaging with leaders and participants from USSF, USSPACECOM, the Space Development Agency, NASA, and key commercial space innovators brought together by the Defense Strategies Institute and Elara Nova: The Space Consultancy. The speakers tackled: Resilient space architectures for contested domains. Cyber defenses safeguarding critical space infrastructure. The integration of commercial and international partnerships to enhance capabilities. At Aperio, we’re committed to participating in these critical conversations, ensuring we contribute mission-centric perspectives and expertise in strategy and policy. From NASA Exploration to USSPACECOM’s operations, we stand ready to support a safe, sustainable, and secure space future. As my son aptly says, “To infinity and beyond…”—that’s the ambition and drive we bring to this field. #AperioInSpace #SpaceResiliency #USSF #USSPACECOM #NASA #SDA #CommercialSpace #MissionCentric #ToInfinityAndBeyond #SolveForNext

29

As I dig into the Comms approaches of the Silicon Valley Defense Group's NatSec 100, three best practices are already jumping out: 🔍 🎯 A consistent focus on the benefits they bring to customers, not the features their products and solutions offer. – Why is this smart? Because they put the customer, not themselves at the center of whatever they are selling. 🧠 Easy to understand. It doesn't matter what they're offering to the DoD – it's written in a way that even someone who isn't a subject matter expert can understand. – Why is this smart? Because procurement decisions – even small ones – have to be sold to people who aren't technical experts. 📣 They tell their story consistently across multiple channels. – Why is this smart? Because customers get their information from multiple channels. This is all 101-level stuff. And there's a reason the best of the best in the NatSec 100 are doing this. Are there companies not doing this? You betcha. 👀 And are they leaving money on the table? Absolutely. 💸 Bottom line... if you're going to invest time and resources to do something, then you should do it well. And that includes Strategic Communications. I'm uncovering these insights while preparing to teach my upcoming course "Stories that Sell: Strategic Communication for Defense Companies." (Presented in partnership with Noah Sheinbaum and the gang at Front Door Defense) Curious to learn more as this research develops? Follow me, or drop me a note! 🤝 Want to take the course? Link in comments!

18

3 Comments

With the House Armed Services Committee highlighting its concern about capacity to support the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program in the FY25 NDAA the Chamber supports several bills and initiatives which would stimulate investment in much needed infrastructure upgrades at national space ranges and spaceports. ✔     The “Securing U.S. Leadership in Space Act of 2024” is bipartisan legislation introduced in both the Senate and the House that would allow spaceports to access private activity bonds (PABs) to attract private sources of capital to fund badly needed infrastructure projects. ✔      “The Spaceport Act” would reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration’s Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching (STIM) grant program to support construction and space transportation infrastructure projects nationwide.  ✔     The “Digital Spaceport of the Future” initiated by the Space Force and intended to ensure that the U.S. proactively adapts to the rapidly increasing demand and complex dynamics of space launches. Like all our transportation systems the investment in modern infrastructure at our nation's space facilities will deliver tremendous long-term economic value. #space #infrastructure #bonds #finance https://lnkd.in/eNYvjvHJ

24

Great article highlighting how public-private partnerships can be a win for all! Stratolaunch moves at the speed of industry, the DOD obtains a capability needed for our country, and the taxpayer receives an efficient solution without the typical risk burden. Read on! https://lnkd.in/gcdQF7fH

65

3 Comments

We are seeing more global interest in commercial launches, and I am looking forward to seeing more providers on the market, as competition will help decrease costs. This article was especially interesting to read, since right before I read about S. Korea's intentions, I'd read an article about SpaceX's Starlink showing as profitable only because they aren't including launch costs. Seems that even SpaceX needs launch costs to come down.

32

1 Comment

The wait is over—Orbotic Systems’ Reg CF campaign is officially live on StartEngine, and we’re thrilled to invite you to invest in the future of space sustainability! Our mission is simple but critical: clean up space. With our D3 Deorbiting Device, we’re addressing the growing problem of space debris and ensuring a safer, cleaner low Earth orbit for the future of space exploration. https://lnkd.in/guQMzEZx For full offering details, disclosures, and risks, visit our campaign page at StartEngine. This Reg CF offering is made available through StartEngine Primary, LLC. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment.

7

2 Comments

Looking forward to this conversation about how to sustain momentum in the space economy! How will entrepreneurship, government funding and private finance, regulatory levers, and talent interact, and how will we ensure market growth today while preserving future opportunities in and from space? Join us during one of the space community’s busiest weeks of the year with WSBW, SDSS, and AMOS,and other discussions underway. @spacecommerce @innovation @spaceindustry @spacesustainability @spaceeconomy

34

1 Comment

Thanks for sharing! Check out my latest podcast interview with GM Defense discussing the future of military electric vehicle technology.

9

A quick read in where we are headed.

6

Check out our latest blog article by Dann Hayes!

3

The Army is moving forward with yet another MOSA platform, announcing the approval of the characteristics it is looking for in its Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS). FTUAS, designed to replace the Shadow UAS, will be designed using MOSA principles to allow for maximum flexibility. In the words of Lt. Gen. Karl Gingrich, Army G-8, “The goodness about FTUAS is going to be the plug-and-play things…that you can put on it. The ability to put on a network extension, the ability to put a, potentially in the future, lethal payload. EO-IR sensors, EW, etc.”. MOSA is here to stay and the defense industry must incorporate MOSA development and collaborative design principles to meet the DOD's future requirements. #Defense #UAS #Drones #Army #DOD #MOSA BCE Consulting (BCE) Craig Belanger Anirudh Suneel Ben Osterholtz Robyn Pirie

11

Advanced hypersonic weapons are changing the landscape of modern warfare, right before our eyes. As we enter this new era of space-based defense, it’s essential that government and industry stakeholders collaborate to remain at the forefront of space-based defense. I’m delighted to share my first Forbes article where I wrote about how stakeholders can quickly drive progress on new technology, build a culture of trust, and spur innovation. https://lnkd.in/eHpKzBbR

275

11 Comments

Taking a data centric approach all the way to the edge (ie/ on the aircraft or in the control station) combined with Zero Trust and ICAM - is key. With correct data tagging and access control, this approach rapidly accelerates multi-partner environment interoperability, and enables multi-department collaboration.

1

It is all about getting requirements right, streamlining RDTE processes for data generation and analysis, using innovative contract mechanisms that support agiiity and life cycle competition, and adeptly leading coalitions for disruptive capabilities with expertise, process execution knowledge and automation. DOD has proven that the Government as the Lead Systems Integrstor (GLSI) with MACs, IDIQs and OTAs provides unbeatable speed, agility, innovation and value. “Our 22nd annual assessment of DOD's weapon systems acquisition finds DOD still struggling to deliver new technologies quickly, even while faced with constantly evolving threats. DOD acknowledged it needed a new approach—creating acquisition pathways to speed up processes. But some programs in the new pathways likely won't deliver much faster than traditional programs. Also, DOD only reported plans to take full advantage of leading product development practices in a few programs, even though doing so can increase speed. We recommended that DOD document how it intends to use leading practices. Weapon systems acquisition is on our High Risk List.”

1