?? Launching Khaleeji Space Network

I believe that the future inevitably involves millions of people living and working in space. This will allow humanity to access the unlimited resources of space and preserve Earth as a cradle of civilization. It will also ensure our survival against potential life-extinction events and help us answer fundamental questions about our species: where do we come from, and are we alone in the universe?

I firmly believe that the primary obstacle to realizing this future is finding an economically sustainable approach to establishing lasting satellite-enabled businesses. As profitability in space becomes easier, more entrepreneurs, investors, and governments will strive for space settlement. Launching a profitable enterprise involves iterating on a product, receiving feedback from the market, and doubling down on what worked.

Unfortunately, iterating on space-enabled projects is extremely expensive, very risky, and usually takes several years per attempt. I believe that the best way to accelerate space settlement is by shortening the feedback loop from formulating a technology approach or business model to receiving feedback.

The early stage is the most fragile and risky phase of any space-related project. The decisions made during the transition from business requirements to space mission design or a project proposal for investors or the government are what lead to resource waste and set numerous projects up for failure. The issue is that the outcome may not be clear until the satellite or project is launched which is usually years ahead.

This is the reason why all my and my team’s work in the space industry over the last 7 years has been centered around accelerating that initial phase of space projects and avoiding the most common pitfalls:

1. Precious Payload’s launch schedule, led by Ksenia Lisitsyna has shortened the time it takes to find a way to conduct in-space demos for over 180 payload missions by connecting them to launchers, space tugs, hosted payload platforms, sub-orbital launches, and return capsules.
2. The Precious Weekly Newsletter, led by Marina Kolyvanova , with over 7,000 subscribers, has been answering the question, "What satellites and launchers are others building, why, and how?" every week for more than three years.
3. Our cheat sheets on space mission budgeting, satellite insurance, and 60+ payload ideas for your space mission have helped hundreds of incumbents understand complex topics and make the first steps in the space industry.
4. Our two YouTube channels, Precious Payload and The Startupper's Guide to the Galaxy, collectively host over 50 videos on starting space companies and include interviews with other CEOs to learn from their experience.
5. Furthermore, I dedicate up to 15% of my time to advising and mentoring early-stage startups, hosting pitch deck reviews, and participating in accelerators like Space Founders and Techstars Space.

Despite my efforts in 2022-2023, I was unable to secure the next VC funding round for Precious Payload's expansion into other verticals on acceptable terms. As a result, the notion of pursuing startup growth at all costs is no longer on the table for me. However, Precious Payload will continue to serve as the payload-to-launcher matching platform and will grow organically, while having my full attention.

Now, is an ideal time to formally launch projects I've been working on for a while! Let's start by aiding GCC countries in becoming leaders in robotic and human space settlement.

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I am excited to bring Khaleeji Space Network online — a private network for individuals working on space projects in Arabian Gulf countries. It's a membership community catering to GCC residents and global space industry professionals engaged in space-enabled projects in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Although I've been residing in the UAE since 2010, I didn't significantly engage in the Arabian Gulf countries' space scene until 2023. Last year I had an opportunity to meet with dozens of great teams pursuing space projects in the region, and also help several international space companies do business in the Gulf.

Here is what I learned:

1. In 2024, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman are set to significantly advance their space industry initiatives, with a focus on the private sector, and there are tons of very lucrative opportunities.
2. A prevailing trend among emerging space teams in the region is the (relative) abundance of financial resources, access to talent, and government support. However, they often lack clarity on the purpose and value of satellite-enabled initiatives and how these can be impactful. I.e. they don’t know what to build, how, and why.
3. Space industry companies seeking to operate in the region often misunderstand the motivations behind GCC nationals' pursuit of space projects which leads to ineffective go-to-market strategies, hindering their success in gaining traction.

Trust me, I am an expert ?

After founding and selling two companies in the region between 2010-2016, and working with over 200 global space companies from 2017-2023, I kind of think I have a founder-market fit to launch Khaleeji Space Network (KSN).

Here's why:

1. My extensive experience creating companies in the MENA region has given me deep insights into the local business landscape.
2. My role at Precious Payload allowed me to analyze the successes and failures of numerous space projects from 27 different countries, providing a valuable data set for advising local firms.
3. This amalgamation of knowledge equips me to develop a unique playbook for Arabian Gulf space projects, enhancing their chances of success both locally and globally.

Want to learn more? Follow us on LinkedIn or become a member.

What can you expect from Khaleeji Space?

Our mission is to maximize the impact of GCC-originated space projects on humanity’s big goals of creating a sustainable space economy, space settlement, and finding the origins of life.

We assist international businesses in navigating the GCC market and support local teams developing space projects, guiding them toward success with tried and tested best practices.

Become a member today!

• We aim for the network to be community-driven, leveraging the collective experience and perspectives of its members to advance the space projects.
• This is why we are starting with a membership program: for $790 annually, members will gain year-long access to a knowledge base and network essential for conducting space business in the GCC.
• Over the next couple of weeks, we will be rolling out the first edition of the KSN GCC Space Industry library which will feature ecosystem maps, project pipelines, a catalog of existing infrastructure, and a list of space-related events, among others.
• Members will have complete access, including all updates, and I will soon be sharing some free previews.
• Stay tuned for more announcements in the next couple of weeks. Time to build!