Downstream Space Summit

Theme: Space 4.0 Revolution: Harnessing Digital Transformation for a Smarter, Connected World

25 APRIL 2025 Madrid Marriott Auditorium Hall - Paris

Overview

This theme captures the intersection of technological advancements, market growth, and sustainability challenges within the downstream space sector as it moves toward more interconnected, commercially viable, and sustainable practices.

The Agenda and Our Speakers

Friday, 25th April

0930 - 1000
Space 4.0 Revolution: Harnessing Digital Transformation for a Smarter, Connected World
Ines Miguel

Keynote

Ines Miguel
Business Development Manager
Geosat
Spain

Plenary

Lorant Czaran
Lorant Czaran
Scientific Affairs Officer
UNOOSA
Austria

Plenary

1000 - 1130
Session 1: Space Data as a Service: The Power of Earth Observation and Analytics

Session Highlight

Earth observation satellites provide essential data that is shaping our understanding and management of various global challenges. This session will explore how satellite technology is used across multiple industries-including agriculture, urban planning, healthcare, and energy-helping to drive sustainability, innovation, and resilience. The insights gained from space-based data enable smarter decisions that support climate action, natural disaster preparedness, resource management, and environmental conservation. Key Discussion Points:
  • Leveraging AI and Big Data for Real-Time Decision-Making
  • The Rise of Cloud-Based Platforms for Earth Observation and Geospatial Intelligence
  • API-Driven Space Services: Democratizing Access to Satellite Data
  • Leveraging remote sensing for improving resource management and efficiency
  • Satellite data's role in disaster resilience, environmental protection, and climate action
  • Using Earth observation data to drive innovation and sustainability across sectors, from agriculture to urban development.
Abhishek Kotangale

Moderator

Abhishek Kotangale
Sales Director-APAC and Middle EAST
Geospatial World
India

Plenary

Jara Villanueva
Jara Villanueva
Geospatial Solutions Lead
Axelspace Corporation
Japan

Plenary

Randall E. Billy
Randall E. Billy
Director, International Government Sector
Esri
USA

Plenary

Randall Billy is Esri's Sector Director for International Government. Leading a diverse team of National Security, Government, and NGO-focused professionals working around the globe, Randall is a recognized leader in evangelizing the use of location intelligence services to enhance all of government operations. His business portfolio includes Esri's global Education and Nonprofit Programs. Randall is a former U.S. Naval Officer and certified acquisition professional. In his twenty years in industry, he has held sales and operations leadership positions with Esri's National Security Team, MarkLogic, Systematic US, and Exelis VIS (now NV5). In that time his focus has been on geospatial intelligence and commercial technology insertion into the Defense and Intelligence communities.

Chandra Prakash Singh
Chandra Prakash Singh
Deputy Director
IN-SPACe
India

Plenary

Amit Kumar
Amit Kumar
COO
Suhora
India

Plenary

Francesca Piatto
Francesca Piatto
Project Officer
EARSC
France

Plenary

Beatriz Basterra
Beatriz Basterra
Head of International Business Development
Tracasa Global
Spain

Plenary

Adriano Meta
Adriano Meta
CEO
Metasensing
Italy

Plenary

Dr. Adriano Meta is the CEO and founder of MetaSensing, a company he established in 2008 with the support of the European Space Agency. MetaSensing specializes in the development and commercialization of compact, high-performance, and high-resolution airborne and satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors and services.

Dr. Meta holds a Laurea degree in Telecommunication Engineering from the University of Rome "La Sapienza" (2002), and earned a Ph.D. cum laude from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Netherlands, in 2006. Between 2002 and 2006, he conducted research at the International Research Centre for Telecommunications and Radar (IRCTR) in Delft. He also pursued postgraduate studies at the Aerospace School of the University of Rome "La Sapienza." From 2006 to 2008, Dr. Meta worked at the Microwaves and Radar Institute of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. During this time, he contributed to the commissioning of the TerraSAR-X satellite and played a pivotal role in the development of advanced processing techniques for digital beamforming and multichannel radar systems.

Since founding MetaSensing, Dr. Meta has led the company to become a globally recognized player in airborne and satellite SAR technology. Under his leadership, MetaSensing has driven a wide array of technological and commercial advancements across mapping, security, and space projects and programs.

1130 - 1200
Networking Break
1200 - 1230
Session 2: Advancements in Satellite Navigation Services

Session Highlight

Satellite-based navigation systems such as GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS have become essential for a wide range of downstream applications, from transportation and logistics to personal devices and autonomous systems. The commercialization of these systems is expanding their impact on various industries. Key Discussion Points:
  • Multi-Constellation GNSS and the Future of Positioning Accuracy
  • Commercial applications of satellite-based navigation for autonomous vehicles, drones, and mobile services.
  • New technologies for enhancing accuracy, reliability, and availability of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
  • Opportunities for private companies to offer value-added services, such as precision navigation for logistics or geospatial analytics.
  • Security concerns related to spoofing and jamming, and efforts to improve resilience in commercial GNSS services.
VSS Kiran
VSS Kiran
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Garudalytics
India

Plenary

Mengchi Ai
Mengchi Ai
R&D Team Lead
Micro Engineering Tech Inc.
Canada

Plenary

Dr. Mengchi Ai is the R&D team leader in advanced navigation technologies at Micro Engineering Tech Inc. (METI) since 2024. She conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Calgary since 2022. She earned her Ph.D. in 2021 from the College of Surveying and Geo-informatics at Tongji University. With over 30 publications, including journal articles, conference papers, and patents, Dr. Ai brings more than 5 years of dedicated research experience. Her research interest including High Definition (HD) mapping, large language model (LLM) -aided semantic perception, sensor fusion-based positioning and navigation, LiDAR data processing and modeling, and digital twin-related technologies.

1230 - 1300
Session 3: Integrating AI & ML for Downstream Space Services and Applications
Dr Sergey Sukhanov
Dr Sergey Sukhanov
Chief Executive Officer
FlyPix AI GmbH
Germany

Plenary

Michal Bylicki
Michal Bylicki
Sales and Business development Director
CloudFerro
Poland

Plenary

Hajer Alabdouli
Hajer Alabdouli
Payload Lead
NSSTC
UAE

Plenary

1300 - 1400
Lunch
1400 - 1500
Session 4: Harnessing the Power of Space: Downstream Applications for the Commercial and Health Sectors

Session Highlight

Description: Space technology transforms commercial and health sectors, enabling advancements in telecommunications, earth observation, and medical innovations through satellite data. Key Discussion Points:
  • Satellite data aids in climate monitoring, benefiting agriculture and disaster management industries.
  • Space-based communications enhance global healthcare access, especially in remote regions.
  • Earth observation satellites enable more accurate disease tracking and public health monitoring.
  • Space technology drives innovation in medical imaging, diagnostics, and treatment solutions.
  • Commercial space ventures improve logistics, connectivity, and infrastructure in the health sector.
Archita Shaktawat

Moderator

Archita Shaktawat
Associate Director - Market and Economy, Consulting
Geospatial World
India

Plenary

Ravi Shankar Santhana Gopala Krishnan
Ravi Shankar Santhana Gopala Krishnan
Data, Analytics, and Delivery for Impact World Health Organization Geneva
Head, WHO GIS Centre for Health
Switzerland

Plenary

Cardillo Pier Francesco
Cardillo Pier Francesco
Head of Commercial Development - RPAS e UTM
Telespazio

Plenary

Paula Moraga
Paula Moraga
Assistant Professor, Statistics, Principal Investigator, Geospatial Statistics and Health Surveillance
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Jeddah

Plenary

Justine Blanford
Justine Blanford
Professor of Geohealth
University of Twente
The Netherlands

Plenary

Annekatrien Debien
Annekatrien Debien
Principal & Head of Brussels Office
Novaspace
Belgium

Plenary

Nicolai Holzer
Nicolai Holzer
Sr. Solutions Engineer, EMEA
NV5 Geospatial
Germany

Plenary

Target Segments

Space agencies

Earth observation industry

Frontier technology providers

Satellite Navigations and Communications Experts

Geospatial technology providers

Commercial user organizations

Government users

Geospatial Technology Users

Academia & Research