Interview Column #Perspectives - Obloo

Volodymyr Usov - CEO of Kurs

1. Why did you start Kurs Orbital?

Before becoming Chairman of the State Space Agency of Ukraine, I was already passionate about space exploration. In my younger days, I hoped to see a significant advancement in space activities, but it seems we’ve made little progress over the past 30 years. When the “new space economy” emerged, I saw an opportunity to use my entrepreneurship experience in this area. I didn’t want to establish yet another rocket or satellite company. Instead, I aimed to create a unique product that could truly change the way we operate in space. Meeting Vadim Vasiliev and learning about the original Kurs technology was the catalyst for everything Kurs Orbital is today.

2. How does your technology work?

Our ARCap module is the first commercially available “off-the-shelf” solution of rendezvous and docking technology. Upon integration into a spacecraft, it enables to perform any kind of manoeuvres for proximity operations, docking or capturing objectives.

After the target acquisition, the module assumes full navigational command of the spacecraft. As it narrows the gap to the objective, ARCap intelligently transitions between an array of sensors, selecting the optimal one for each phase of the distance-closing process. Once reached the target, control is smoothly transitioned back to the spacecraft’s primary systems.

3. What emerging or niche technologies are you currently keeping a close eye on, and how do you envision them impacting your industry in the next 5 years?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is definitely a technology worth watching. Not just in our industry. It is going to impact every professional and personal domain. We’re going through a global paradigm shift, similar to the monumental changes brought by computerization and the internet revolution. The potential benefits are immense and cannot be underestimated. However, it is imperative that we maintain oversight and implement appropriate regulations to guide its development and integration into society.

4. Many successful companies pivot or iterate their initial ideas. Can you describe a significant pivot or evolution your start-up went through in terms of technology or product strategy and how did it contribute to your current success?

In the initial phase of our venture, the ARCap module wasn’t envisioned as a standalone product. It was the cornerstone technology to quickly equip a fleet of servicing spacecrafts.?

This approach would have let Kurs Orbital to provide a wide array of services directly to satellite operators and space agencies. However, this business model would have required substantially larger capital investments and a much longer time to market.

We haven’t given up on the idea, and might pursue it if one day conditions improve.

5. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the tech industry. How does your technology contribute to environmental or social goals and what role do you believe tech companies should play in addressing these challenges?

Sustainability is one of the key words in our philosophy. Until now space activities haven’t been sustainable at all: satellites cannot be repaired nor refuelled. Even minor malfunctions can render them unusable, sometimes just after reaching orbit. This presents significant risks for both companies and insurers. But even if you don’t look at the financial implications of this problem, this approach also means to periodically manufacture, prepare & launch replacement satellites to substitute the faulty ones. All activities that could be easily avoided with in-orbit services. How would you feel if you’d have to buy a new car every time you run out of fuel? That’s the current state of our space operations.

6. Your favourites! (podcasts, articles, books)

Denis Villeneuve’s adaptations of Dune are, in my opinion, some of the most exceptional science fiction films of recent times. The movies are visually stunning, with beautiful scenes that stick with you, and the story was already a classic.

When it comes to science fiction literature, my top pick is The Three-Body Problem. It’s a book that really makes you think differently about science fiction. It introduces some really interesting ideas about technology that I haven’t seen anywhere else.

But the book that I think is a must-read for everyone is The Will of the Universe: The Unknown Intelligence by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, a pioneering rocket scientist who lived between the 19th and 20th century. He made predictions in 1928 about human space exploration that have been realised with astonishing precision. It’s incredibly fascinating to read his work and witness the accuracy of his foresight. Isn’t it remarkable to see history unfold as he envisioned? How cool is that?