Isle of Man firm ManSat will have the honour of chairing the two business panel discussions at the International Space University’s annual Space Studies Program, taking place in Montreal, Canada, this week.

The first panel, on June 23rd, focuses on ‘Entrepreneurial Space’, with the second, two days later, on the ‘Business of Space’.

ManSat CEO Chris Stott explained: ‘I’m probably one of the older space entrepreneurs now, but I’m thrilled to be leading a discussion with the CEOs of Nannoracks (Dr. Jeff Manber), Odyssey Space Research (Brian Rishikof), URTHECAST (Scott Larson), Paragon (Dr. Taber Macalum), and Canadensys (Dr. Christian Sallaberger).

‘For the second panel, we will bring together leaders in the global satellite industry, focusing on satellite services in North America with Telesat (Paul Bush), Xplorenet (Tim Dinesen) and Euroconsult (Steve Bochinger).’

The Space Studies Program (SSP), which is held in a different city around the world each year, is an intense nine-week course for postgraduate students and professionals. Its curriculum covers the principal space related fields, both non-technical and technical, ranging from policy and law, business and management and humanities to life sciences, engineering, physical sciences and space applications.

During the SSP, Chris will also teach classes on entrepreneurial skills and business to the 120 graduate students and industry executives.

Chris has been on the faculty at ISU since 2003, serving on the main board, and he’s a former Co-Chair of the ISU’s School of Management and Business.

‘Given the wealth of entrepreneurial companies from North America, it's a true honour and a privilege as an Isle of Man company to be asked to take the lead on these leading panels,’ said Chris, who earlier this year was appointed to a two-year term as President of the Society of Satellite Professionals International, the satellite industry’s largest global professional association.

‘The Island is widely respected within the space industry as a place to do business and opportunities such as this, to take the lead on such high profile panels, can only enhance our reputation.’

ManSat was the originator of the Island’s space industry following its formation in 1998. The company works in partnership with the Isle of Man Government, its core function being to carry out satellite filing on behalf of the Isle of Man Communications Commission.

For more information about the ISU Space Studies Program, visit: http://www.isunet.edu/programs/space-studies-program

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