SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI) Announces Space Tourism Expert Derek Webber Joins Firm as Affiliate
Dear Colleagues,
SpaceWorks Engineering announces that space tourism expert Mr. Derek Webber has joined the firm as an affiliate and technical advisor. Mr. Webber will assist the Engineering Economics group on projects related to future commercial activities focusing on sub-orbital and orbital space tourism. Mr. Webber is currently Director of Spaceport Associates, a space tourism consultancy based in Washington, D.C. Over the last several years, he has directed three landmark studies in commercial space business planning: the ASCENT Study of Space Markets, for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the Futron/Zogby Study of Space Tourism Demand, and the Adventurers’ Survey which he completed jointly with Incredible Adventures.
“Derek’s vast insight into the emerging space tourism industry will be coupled with SEI’s world class economic modeling and simulation capabilities. We hope to make this combination of skills a valuable service, consisting of both a breadth and depth of expertise, useful for government and industry customers trying to make sense of this new marketplace.” said Mr. A.C. Charania, Senior Futurist of SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. “We are excited to work with Derek, especially to help commercial clients such as launch vehicle providers, financiers, and spaceports.”
Mr. Webber’s career began as a launch vehicle and satellite engineer in what is now EADS/Astrium Space Systems. He worked on thermal control system design for a number of satellites, including the Skynet satellite, and on kinetic heating analyses for launch vehicles, including post-flight analyses of telemetry from the Europa vehicle firings from the Woomera range. He became Head of Procurement at Inmarsat, (responsible for contracting over a billion dollars worth of communications satellites, their launch vehicles and ground segment), and Managing Director of Tachyon Europe (providing satellite broadband and Internet access across the continent). Mr. Webber operated a consulting and training company based in San Diego with clients including Comsat Corporation and the then Hughes Space and Satellite Systems. Consulting assignments included PDR, CDR Design Review Board membership, international negotiation skills training, and systems engineering tasks.
Mr. Webber holds a B.Sc. Honors Degree in Physics and Mathematics from Newcastle University (UK), and postgraduate qualifications in Space Science (from University College London, UK) and Management (from the University of Westminster, UK). He is a Senior Member of AIAA and a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society. Mr. Webber has been a member of the Adjunct Faculty of the International Space University, and at the US International University in San Diego, where he provided courses on international management. Mr. Webber is an active member of the Reusable Launch Vehicles Working Group and the Launch Operations Support Working Group of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-AST COMSTAC Committee.
More information can be found at the SEI website: www.sei.aero.
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About SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI)
SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI) provides aerospace concept development services to both government and commercial clients. The firm’s capabilities range from technical and programmatic systems analysis of next-generation space systems to economic simulations of future outer space markets. SEI’s multi-disciplinary technical team consistently delivers accurate and unbiased analysis that meets demanding schedules and budgets. In addition, SEI develops leading-edge software analysis tools such as REDTOP, REDTOP-2, and Sentry for use by the advanced design community. The firm serves a wide and varied client base that includes NASA, the U.S. Air Force, as well as established and emerging commercial aerospace companies. SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI) is based in Atlanta, Georgia USA and is a privately held S-Corporation. For more information including a firm overview presentation, technical papers, biographies, etc. please see: www.sei.aero.
Contact:
Mr. A.C. Charania
Senior Futurist
SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI)
1200 Ashwood Parkway, Suite 506
Atlanta, GA 30338 USA
1+770.379.8006 (Direct)
1+770.379.8001 (Fax)
ac@sei.aero
www.sei.aero
