ASU SES 498/598

Supplemental Materials

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

ASU SES 498/598 - Space Business & Entrepreneurship

Additional Resources for Deep Dives

"The best time to start a space company was 10 years ago. The second best time is now."

Module 1: Advanced AI Prompting

For Space Business Intelligence

Market Intelligence Prompts

1. Competitive Landscape Analysis:

Map all companies in the [specific space sector] including funding raised, 
key customers, technology approach, and recent developments. Create a 
competitive matrix showing strengths and weaknesses.

2. Customer Pain Point Discovery:

Identify the top 10 operational challenges faced by [satellite operators/
launch providers/ground stations] with quantified impact on cost, time, 
and reliability.

3. Technology Trend Analysis:

Analyze emerging technologies in [space sector] that could disrupt 
current business models in the next 5 years. Include readiness level 
and adoption barriers.

Financial Modeling Prompts

1. Unit Economics Calculator:

Create a unit economics model for a [satellite constellation] with 
[X satellites] serving [Y customers]. Include all cost categories and 
revenue streams with industry benchmarks.

2. Funding Requirement Analysis:

Based on these milestones [list], calculate funding requirements 
including 30% buffer, runway calculations, and optimal raise timing.

Module 2: Regulatory Guidance

Detailed Compliance Frameworks

FAA Launch Licensing Checklist

  • Pre-application consultation (60 days before)
  • Policy review and approval
  • Safety review documentation
  • Environmental assessment (NEPA)
  • Financial responsibility determination
  • Payload review and determination
  • Public safety analysis
  • Flight safety analysis
  • Ground safety analysis

FCC Licensing Timeline

  1. Months 1-2: Prepare technical documentation
  2. Month 3: File initial application
  3. Months 4-6: Respond to FCC questions
  4. Month 7: Public comment period
  5. Months 8-10: International coordination
  6. Months 11-12: Final approval

ITAR Compliance Framework

Restricted Items:
  • • Satellite buses and payloads
  • • Propulsion systems
  • • Attitude control systems
  • • Communication encryption
  • • Remote sensing capabilities
Compliance Steps:
  1. 1. Register with DDTC
  2. 2. Classify all technology
  3. 3. Implement TCP (Technology Control Plan)
  4. 4. Screen all employees/partners
  5. 5. Maintain audit trail

Module 3: Partnership Templates

Strategic Collaboration Frameworks

Strategic Partnership MOU Template

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Between [Your Company] and [Partner Company]

1. PURPOSE
   - Define collaboration scope
   - Identify mutual benefits

2. RESPONSIBILITIES
   - Party A will...
   - Party B will...

3. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
   - Background IP remains with originator
   - Foreground IP jointly owned
   - Licensing terms...

4. CONFIDENTIALITY
   - NDA terms incorporated
   - Duration of confidentiality

5. TERM AND TERMINATION
   - Initial term: [X years]
   - Termination conditions
   - Wind-down provisions

Channel Partner Agreement Framework

  • ▸ Territory definitions
  • ▸ Revenue sharing model (typically 20-40%)
  • ▸ Lead registration process
  • ▸ Training and certification requirements
  • ▸ Marketing co-investment
  • ▸ Performance metrics and minimums

Module 4: Investor Relations

Communication & Due Diligence

Monthly Update Template

Subject: [Company] - Month Year Update

Hi [Investor Name],

Quick update on our progress:

HIGHLIGHTS
• [Key achievement #1]
• [Key achievement #2]
• [Key achievement #3]

METRICS
• Cash: $X (Y months runway)
• Revenue: $X (Z% MoM growth)
• Customers: X (added Y this month)

CHALLENGES
• [Challenge and mitigation plan]

ASKS
• [Specific help needed]

Best,
[Your name]

Data Room Structure

📁 01_Corporate
  • - Certificate of Incorporation
  • - Bylaws
  • - Board minutes
  • - Cap table
📁 02_Financial
  • - Financial statements
  • - Financial model
  • - Bank statements
  • - Burn rate analysis
📁 03_Legal
  • - Material contracts
  • - IP assignments
  • - Litigation history
  • - Insurance policies
📁 04_Technical
  • - Patents/IP
  • - Technical documentation
  • - Development roadmap
  • - Test results
📁 05_Commercial
  • - Customer contracts
  • - Pipeline report
  • - Pricing model
  • - Go-to-market strategy

Module 5: Space Industry Resources

Conferences, Accelerators & Communities

Key Conferences & Events

Space Symposium

April, Colorado Springs

10,000+ attendees, Defense & commercial

SmallSat Conference

August, Utah

3,000+ attendees, Small satellite ecosystem

Satellite Conference

March, Washington DC

15,000+ attendees, Satellite communications

NewSpace Conference

Various locations

500-1000 attendees, Entrepreneurial space

Accelerators & Incubators

  • ▸ Techstars Space (Los Angeles)
  • ▸ Starburst Aerospace (Global)
  • ▸ Seraphim Space Camp (London)
  • ▸ Creative Destruction Lab (Toronto)
  • ▸ Catalyst Accelerator (Colorado)

Online Communities

  • ▸ NewSpace Global (Slack)
  • ▸ Space Founders (Discord)
  • ▸ r/SpaceXLounge (Reddit)
  • ▸ Space Industry LinkedIn Groups

Module 6: Technical Deep Dives

Cost Breakdowns & Launch Options

Small Satellite Cost Breakdown (10-100kg)

  • • Bus/Structure: 20-30%
  • • Payload: 30-40%
  • • Power: 10-15%
  • • ADCS: 10-15%
  • • Communications: 10-15%
  • • Software: 5-10%
  • • Testing: 10-15%
  • Total: $500K - $5M

Launch Options Comparison

Provider Capacity Cost/kg Lead Time Reliability
SpaceX (Rideshare) <200kg $5,000 6-12 mo 98%
Rocket Lab 300kg $25,000 3-6 mo 92%
Virgin Orbit 500kg $12,000 6-9 mo 85%
ISRO PSLV 1,750kg $3,000 12-24 mo 95%

Module 7: Business Model Examples

Revenue Strategies for Space Ventures

Earth Observation Models

  • Data Sales: Direct imagery ($1-50/km²)
  • Analytics Platform: SaaS ($1K-100K/mo)
  • Insights Service: Reports ($10K-1M/project)
  • API Access: Developer platform ($100-10K/mo)

Communication Service Models

  • Bandwidth Leasing: $/MHz/month
  • Managed Services: Turnkey solutions
  • IoT Connectivity: $/device/month
  • Direct-to-Device: Consumer subscriptions

Space Logistics Models

  • Last-Mile Delivery: $/kg to orbit
  • Orbit Transfer: Fixed price missions
  • Servicing: Life extension contracts
  • Debris Removal: Government contracts

Module 8: Pitch Deck Examples

Successful Space Company Pitches

Successful Space Pitch Decks

SpaceX (2006)

Focus on cost reduction

Planet (2015)

Daily global imaging

Relativity Space (2019)

3D printed rockets

Astra (2020)

Daily space delivery

Problem Slide Success Factors

  • • Quantified pain ($X lost annually)
  • • Affected stakeholders (specific names)
  • • Current solution failures (why now)
  • • Urgency indicators (regulatory/market)

Traction Slide for Pre-Revenue

  • • Government contracts/grants
  • • Strategic partnerships signed
  • • Technical milestones achieved
  • • Letters of intent value
  • • Pilot programs initiated

Module 9: Financial Modeling

Templates & Metrics

SaaS Metrics for Space Data Services

Key Metrics to Track:

  • • MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue)
  • • CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost)
  • • LTV (Lifetime Value)
  • • Churn Rate (monthly/annual)
  • • ARPU (Average Revenue Per User)
  • • Gross Margin
  • • Magic Number (Sales Efficiency)

Benchmarks:

  • • LTV:CAC > 3:1
  • • Gross Margin > 70%
  • • Annual Churn < 10%
  • • CAC Payback < 18 months

Hardware Business Metrics

Key Metrics:

  • • BOM Cost (Bill of Materials)
  • • Manufacturing Overhead
  • • Gross Margin (typically 30-50%)
  • • Inventory Turns
  • • Working Capital Requirements
  • • CapEx Requirements

Unit Economics Example:

  • • Satellite BOM: $500K
  • • Manufacturing: $200K
  • • Testing: $100K
  • • Total COGS: $800K
  • • Selling Price: $1.5M
  • • Gross Margin: 47%

Module 10: Exit Strategies

IPOs, Acquisitions & Preparation

IPO Examples

  • • Virgin Galactic (SPAC, $2.3B)
  • • BlackSky (SPAC, $1.1B)
  • • Spire (SPAC, $1.6B)
  • • Rocket Lab (SPAC, $4.8B)

Acquisition Examples

  • • DigitalGlobe → Maxar ($2.4B)
  • • Orbital ATK → Northrop ($9.2B)
  • • SSL → Maxar ($1.1B)

Exit Preparation Checklist

  • Clean cap table
  • Audited financials (2-3 years)
  • Documented IP portfolio
  • Recurring revenue model
  • Diverse customer base
  • Strong management team
  • Growth trajectory
  • Strategic value clear

Quick Reference Cards

Essential Information at a Glance

Funding Sources Quick Guide

Amount Source Typical Use
$0-100K F&F, Grants Concept validation
$100K-500K Angels, SBIR Prototype
$500K-3M Seed VCs MVP, team
$3M-15M Series A VCs Product development
$15M-50M Series B VCs Scale operations
$50M+ Growth, PE Market expansion

Space Acronym Dictionary

LEO:
Low Earth Orbit (200-2000km)
GEO:
Geostationary Orbit (35,786km)
TRL:
Technology Readiness Level (1-9)
CONOPS:
Concept of Operations
ITU:
International Telecommunication Union
COPUOS:
Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
COTS:
Commercial Off-The-Shelf / Commercial Orbital Transportation Services
SBIR:
Small Business Innovation Research
ITAR:
International Traffic in Arms Regulations

Contact & Support

Course Instructor

Fred von Graf, PMP

Email: Fred@W4M.ai

Office Hours: By appointment

Additional Support

  • TA: [Name] - [Email]
  • Space Entrepreneurship Club: [Contact]
  • ASU Entrepreneurship Resources: [Link]

Continued Learning

  • Coursera: "Space Business" by University of Colorado
  • edX: "Space Mission Design" by TU Delft
  • Books: "The Space Economy" by OECD
  • Podcast: "Main Engine Cut Off" by Anthony Colangelo

🚀

Keep building the future!