In the latest episode of Sustainability Talks, ETF Partners’ Managing Partner Patrick Sheehan is joined by Rafel Jorda Siquier, founder and CEO of Open Cosmos, a company at the cutting edge of space innovation. This conversation takes us on a journey through the stars—exploring how satellites are fast becoming essential tools in the fight against climate change.
Founded in 2015, Open Cosmos has quickly become one of the few companies capable of delivering end-to-end satellite missions—from design and build, to launch and operations. From monitoring deforestation and wildfires to enabling space-based AI and telecommunications experiments, Open Cosmos is making space technology more accessible and impactful than ever before.
Rafel’s mission is bold: democratise access to space and make satellite data useful and available to organisations of all sizes. In this episode, he shares how Open Cosmos launched its first satellite within just eight months, has maintained a 100% mission success rate, and is now delivering multi-million euro satellite constellations and national geospatial platforms. He also reflects on the importance of collaboration across Europe to grow the space sector and deliver on global sustainability goals.
Whether it’s responding to humanitarian disasters, monitoring essential climate variables, or building a 6G telecoms lab in orbit, this episode highlights how space can—and must—play a central role in addressing today’s most urgent planetary challenges.
Listen now to learn about:
The rapid rise of Open Cosmos and its unique position in the global space market
How AI-powered satellites like Phisat-2 are enabling real-time climate data
The Menut satellite and its role in monitoring deforestation and wildfires
Why governments like Peru are turning to Open Cosmos for sustainable development
How Europe can lead the future of space through ambition and cooperation
Chapters:
00:00 The Multipolar World and Europe's Strengths
02:31 Open Cosmos: Revolutionizing Access to Space
08:03 Innovations in Satellite Technology and Applications
15:34 Real-World Impact of Satellite Data
20:42 The Future of the Space Industry
26:59 Europe's Role in Global Space Collaboration
30:20 The Vision for Open Cosmos and Global Problem Solving
About Rafel Jorda
As CEO and founder, Rafel leads the Open Cosmos team. From leading the team to delivering the first satellite mission within eight months, to managing the expanding team and range of customers today, Rafel has overseen the overall company strategy and directed its execution, all whilst working towards the original mission of democratising access to space. After studying aerospace engineering at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Barcelona and completing an MBA, Rafel worked at large corporations, such as Airbus Defence and Space, as well as small innovative space start-ups, such as zero2infinity.
Find out more about Open Cosmos here: https://www.open-cosmos.com