Why Precious Payload?

There is one resonating, all-encompassing concept in space exploration. We build satellites, launch rockets, send habitats, point antennas, and beam data to deliver and operate payloads in space. But why? In fact, humanity uses ‘payloads' to proxy its senses while exploring space. But why explore space in the first place? Well, to answer the main questions: where do we come from? Are we alone in the universe? Earth observation satellites are our eyes, communication satellites are our mouths. Human, in this case, is a perfect ‘payload' as it brings all its senses on board a spacecraft.

This is how we’ve named our company Precious Payload. However, I did not realize it until a few weeks ago what does it really mean to me. The payload that is precious is a human being on its mission to explore space to learn its own origin and place in our universe. My point of rest and stability is knowing that while I am still alive, I can contribute to that mission. Companies, businesses, teams, goals and even industries can change, but I am happy to finally learn what’s encoded in my DNA.

The business we are building today is the foundation to enable more precious humans to build their careers in space exploration to find our place in the universe. Now it feels like we can contribute by making space launch more accessible, so this is what we are busy with. We may fail or succeed, but regardless of the outcome, we will then pick the next problem to solve to finally enable a future where people work in space. Yes, indeed, millions of people working and living in space is a good vision. Took me a while to align me with it.

So, today I turn 30. I don’t know about you, but in my life, birthday is a time to let your friends feel good about buying things you posted in advance in your wish list. I just don’t feel very happy about it, sorry. However, I want to make this day inspirational and feel special. There had to be something that lasts and aligns with my values and just the way I feel about life. Initially, I thought donating money to charity and asking my friends to do the same will do the job, but it did not. There had to be something else.

Well, it seems like I finally got to something. I’ve done some back of the napkin calc, and it all seems plausible. I will post my ultimate wish list in the next update.