Join us as we explore how Bryan Dean, CEO and Co-Founder of Dragonfly Aerospace, is revolutionising earth observation through high-performance imaging satellites and payloads.

Throughout the episode, Bryan shares his journey from working on European Space Agency projects to co-founding Dragonfly Aerospace in South Africa, explains how their optical imaging technology enables more efficient resource management, and discusses the technical challenges of capturing detailed imagery from orbit.

He also offers valuable insights on the growth of the South African space industry and the company’s approach to talent acquisition in an evolving market.

Listen along for fascinating perspectives on how satellite imagery is supporting agriculture, forestry, and sustainability efforts, the future of multi-resolution observation systems, and advice for newcomers looking to enter the space industry.

Chapters:

00:01:15 – Bryan’s path into the space industry

00:04:12 – Dragonfly Aerospace’s imaging technology focus

00:08:04 – Applications and use cases in Africa and globally

00:15:14 – Technical capabilities and resolution advancements

00:22:26 – Satellite imagery partnerships and tiered observation systems

00:28:51 – Current and future Dragonfly products

00:31:10 – The South African space industry talent landscape

00:41:14 – Company culture and international expansion

00:52:59 – Advice for industry newcomers

About our guest:

Bryan Dean is an experienced electrical systems architect who participated in creating the ExoMars rover, Solar Orbital, and ELISA projects for the European Space Agency. In 2019, he co-founded Dragonfly Aerospace and raised funding to grow the company to over 100 employees who developed and launched a class-leading optical imaging satellite in just three years.

Website: www.dragonflyaerospace.com

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