Stella Tkatchova
Brussels
Summary
Leading the R&T&I space activities and the EIC space portfolio. Performing proactive portfolio management, creating project synergies and guiding the EIC projects with advice related to technology demos and early commercialization. Collaborating closely with, space agencies(e.g.ESA, JAXA, etc.),investors and space SMEs, managing a diverse portfolio of over 50 space projects of approximately 140 MEuros in grants. With a diverse work experience in satcom, navigation and earth observation missions. Passionate for working on finding solutions to technology and commercialization innovation challenges
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Programme Manager for Space Systems & Technologies
European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Age
Bruxelles, Belgium
03.2022 - Current
- Proposed and designed the topics for the space challenges under EIC work program for WP2023, WP2024 and WP2025. Focusing on development of "In-space solar energy harvesting concepts (e.g. solar cells, wireless power transmission, in-space propulsion, etc.), in orbit satellite servicing, space debris mitigation, remediation and in-space recycling of orbital assets, in-space refuelling, orbital transfer vehicles and space-based cyber security for satcom, navigation and earth observation systems.
- Provides R&T&I and commercialisation guidance to Pathfinder, Transition and Accelerator projects
- Lead the pro-active portfolio management of a space portfolio with 50 projects from TRL 1 to TRL 9 under the EIC programs, ensuring the successful delivery of project results and project synergies creation, while adhering to quality and budget objectives.
- Identifies and creates research, technology and market project synergies between projects and proposes groups of projects that share a common topic/theme and know-how or technologies.
- Presents and defends the WP proposed space challenge topics during Member States WP consultation and EIC Board members and is the single point of contact for all matters related to the EIC space portfolio. In addition coordinates the space challenge the topics with DG RTD and DG DEFIs.
- Prepared the challenge guides with the requirements for Pathfinder challenge guides for WP2023 In Space Solar Energy Harvesting and WP2024 Strengthening sustainability and resilience of EU space infrastructure
- Reviews the space portfolio project deliverables and Tech DDs, sits in project reviews and guides projects, contributes to defining portfolio working groups, identifies potential issues/risks consolidated lessons learnt. Thus making sure that projects under the EIC space portfolio are successful, while respecting quality, schedule and budgetary objectives
- Ensure the consistency of the EIC space portfolio by bringing critical insights and technology/market knowledge and supports research organisations, Newspace SMEs and start-ups to achieve breakthrough innovation and commercialisation
- Organizes and chairs the annual EIC space portfolio meetings, space-related webinars and space investors events and
- Externally promotes the EIC space portfolio & roadmap and annual WP space challenges
- Chairs the selection board for the Pathfinder project selections and reviews under the space challenge portfolio and is an observer in teh Accelerator ones
- Proposed constributed to the EIC tech report, impact report and annual report
- Provide commercialisation support and contributes to T2M initiatives
- Contributes to the EU R&I Strategy, ESA Master Plan 2023 and Earth Observation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) with inputs about the EIC space portfolio
- Fostered partnerships with the rest of the EC involved in space related activities and industry leaders, promoting the EIC programs
Commercialisation Manager and Co-founder
S-Cosmos Ltd
Sofia, Bulgaria
01.2021 - 02.2022
- Co-founded S - Cosmos Ltd. is a Bulgarian start-up with a mission to offer commercial, educational and market solutions to space companies. With particular attention to the space debris, in -orbit satellite servicing and active debris removal domains.
- Performed market feasibility studies, developed market entry strategies and contributed to their business case definition for it commercial customers
- Led, prepared and submitted the DEBRIS proposal for the ESA ITT: 7th Call for outline proposals under the plan for European Cooperating States (PECS) in Bulgaria 1-10833
- Identified, analysed and performed a number of feasibility and market studies for low-TRL projects for Newspace SMEs and start-ups
- Supported its customers in market positioning, analysis of the market trends, market segmentation, customers’ and competitors analysis in the European space industry
Expert for the EIC Pathfinder Calls and EU Agency for the Space Programme
EUSPA
Bruxelles, Belgium
04.2019 - 02.2022
- Independent expert for the EIC FET proposals and deliverables at EUSPA
Customer Solution Project Manager Managing ESA Projects
ST Engineering I Direct (Europe) former Newtec Cy
Saint-Niklaas, Belgium
07.2018 - 12.2020
- Managed all the innovation pilots under the ESA ARTES satellite communications INDIGO program (the pilots were from TRL 2 to TRL 6),
- Was responsible for preparing the Pilot Architecture Reports(PAR), Service Assessment Reports (SAR), preparation of the Pilot Evaluation Reports (PER) and preparing the bi-weekly and monthly progress reports.
- Managed the innovation activities and technology demonstration under the GOVSATCOM Pacis-1, Pacis-5, SATis5G projects and other standard projects in Austria, Aflenz Teleport, DR Congo, Kinshasa and Niger, Abuja
- Organized and coordinated the innovation activities, the technology demonstrations, completed the project milestones, contributed to defining the end-user KPI’s, assessing customer needs, performed risk analyses, consolidated lessons learnt, thus making sure that projects are successful, while respecting quality, schedule and budgetary objectives.
- Led cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.
- Analyzed and proposed performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and optimize processes.
- Coordinated resource allocation and risks across the multiple technology demo projects.
Project Manager
Thales Alenia Space
Belgium
01.2017 - 06.2018
- Project manager for the satellite power equipment (PCDU) production and flight qualification test acviities of for the O3B Block2 satellites, Copernicus Sentinel 1 and Sentinel 3 and CSO-2 earth observation projects.
- Led cross-functional teams to deliver complex space projects on time and within budget.
- Coordinated, organized and conducted the activities of the projects, while being the focal point with the Customer (ESA, Airbus, SES, TAS-F, TAS-I) for these projects
- Prepared and initiated activities leading the projects to a good end, while also respecting the agreed quality, schedule and profit objectives for satcom and earth observation projects
- Prepared project managed the budgets, performed risk analysis and managed the risks and prepared the change contract notices.
- Developed and implemented project plans, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and stakeholder expectations.
- Monitored the execution of testing plans for satellite components, ensuring compliance with stringent aerospace standards in cooperation with the technical and quality assurance leads
- Managed risk assessment and lessons learnt to identify potential project challenges and develop mitigation strategies.
- Analyzed project performance metrics to drive continuous improvement initiatives across multiple projects simultaneously.
- Executed strategic resource allocation to optimize team capabilities, enhancing overall project delivery effectiveness.
WP-E Program Manager/ATM Exploratory Research Expert
SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU), EC
Belgium
09.2013 - 12.2016
- WP-E Program Manager for 22 ATM long-term innovative research projects and 3 research networks from TRL 1 to TRL 3.
- Collected, analyzed and consolidated the priorities of European Commission (DG-MOVE, DG-RTD, INEA agency) and the ATM research community requirements for research and innovation topics in the H2020 SESAR 2020 1st and 2nd Exploratory Research Call. Provided the content and drafted the input for the H2020 SESAR 2020 1st Exploratory Research Call
- Ensured the consistency and coordination of the Long Term and Innovative Research program with the remainder of the SESAR program, ensuring adequate visibility of the Long term research and facilitating the transition of research results across the different phases of research and across TRL levels
- Managed, coordinated and chaired the Scientific Committee, as a deputy chair ensuring it is called, operated and supported in a manner that supports its role in advising the SJU on all research matters;
- Facilitated stakeholder workshops to gather input for the annula work program and scientific objectives
Space Business Manager
Interstellar
Belgium
01.2013 - 08.2013
- Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Space Technology Management and Innovation (IJSTMI)
- Founded, liaised, reviewed and motivated scientists and engineers to write papers and contribute to the International Journal of Space Technology Management and Innovation (IJSTMI)
- Performed a number feasibility and market studies for navigation and telecommunication space applications
- Business development and technology marketing activities at ESA-ESTEC for new ESA member states companies
Technology R&D Coordination Engineer
ESA-ESTEC Rhea System S.A.
Belgium
01.2012 - 12.2012
- Technology R&D Coordination Engineer managing the ESA Technology Observatory in 2012
- Collaborated with ESA cross-functional teams to identify disruptive technologies to be included in the observatory .
- Analyzed a number of studies to inform strategic decision-making
- Wrote, reviewed and edited document in accordance with template requirements.
Business Development & Marketing Engineer
Rhea System S.A.
Belgium
01.2007 - 12.2012
- Technology R&D Coordination Engineer managing the ESA Technology Observatory in 2012
- New business leads development at ESA-ESTEC and CNES, Customer needs gathering and analysis of new leads for ESA Navigation(Galileo), Earth Observation (Sentinel 1, Sentinel 2 and Sentinel 3) and ESA Industrial Applications Programme (IAP)
- Technical proposal preparation and coordination for ESA - ESTEC Frame Proposal for 2011- analysis of ESA requirements, coordination with contributors, review of technical inputs and consolidation;
- Researched and evaluated potential new markets and products.
- Responsible for the production of the inputs for in the fields of Engineering support to Telecommunications and Integrated Applications (TIA), the Product Assurance (PA) part, the Communications, Education, User Driven Applications and Outreach (ECO) and the Business, Management, Controlling & Administration ( BMC) and others;
- Developed and implemented marketing strategies and reflected them in a Marketing Plan and Strategy
- Liaison with the Belgium Aerospace Associations (i.e. Eurospace, Wallonie Espace), etc
- BIRA SPENVIS Business Development Engineer secondment to BIRA, responsible for the SPENVIS end-user requirement analysis.
- Created technical documentation for product specifications, ensuring clarity for marketing materials.
International Space Station Commercialization Expert
European Space Agency-ESTEC
Noordwjik, The Netherlands
01.2000 - 12.2006
- Defined and performed the Biotech and Health analyses for flying Biotech and Pharma experiments on board the International Space Station. Analysed the benefits of microgravity research together with ESA Scientists for Biotech and Pharma companies for Health industry. Developed and performed primary customer segmentation and provided recommendations on targeted market segments, customers’ needs, profiles and competitors in the Biotechnology and Health industries.
- Established initial contacts with potential clients (Biotech, Pharmaceutical and Food companies) and undertook cooperation with scientists, project managers and system engineers for the definition of the ISS products and services.
- Contributed to the prioritisation of ESA commercial requirements to guide the ISS Columbus commercial utilisation, pricing policy, defined and proposed approach for classification of the services and the ISS on-board facilities for the ISS Facilities user guide.
- Evaluated as commercialisation expert ISS innovation proposals
- Defined the requirements and wrote the Statements of Work (SOW) for the ESA strategy for ISS feasibility studies
- Performed NPV analysis of ISS partners prices and interfaced and reviewed documents for a Parametric Cost Model
Guest Lecturer
International Space University (ISU)
01.2001 - 12.2001
- Guest Lecturer at International Space University (ISU) at the SSP 2001
Intern in the Cost Analysis Division
ESA-ESTEC
Noordwijk, The Netherlands
01.1999 - 12.1999
- Performed a market analysis on the expected revenues from the geomatic applications of the European Global Navigation Satellite System (Galileo) and analysis of the main cost drivers for the METOP satellite, ECOM software.
Expert on the secondary market of government securities
Bulgarian National Bank(BNB)
Sofia, Bulgaria
01.1998 - 12.1998
- Expert on the secondary market of government securities
Junior financial assistant
MTK Consult
Sofia, Bulgaria
01.1996 - 12.1997
- Junior financial assistant, MTK Consult, a financial advisory services firm
English Teacher
The New School of English
Sofia, Bulgaria
01.1993 - 12.1995
- English Teacher, The New School of English, Sofia, Bulgaria
Education
Ph.D. - Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering Group
TUDelft
Delft, The Netherlands12.2006
Master of Science -
International Space University (ISU)
Strasbourg, France12.1999
Skills
- Fluent with MS PC office (Word, Excel, Microsoft Project), Latex and Salesforce
Affiliations
- 2018- present STEPP-EU Stakeholders Consultation Group (SCG) Committee member
- 2018-2020 SpaceTube festival Member of the selection committee
- 2016-present Women in Aerospace, Belgium
- 2015-present Netherlands Space Society - NLR
- 2004-present American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) member since February 2004
LANGUAGES
English, French, Bulgarian (mother tongue) and basic knowledge of Dutch
INVITED CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTIONS
- 2022-present for additional information check this link https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-communities/eic-programme-managers/stela-tkatchova_en
- 2020 Tkatchova, S. Space Debris, Ratio lecture, 13.10.2020, Sofia, Bulgaria
- 2019 Tkatchova, S. Space Debris, Ratio lecture, see you in 10 years…on the Moon, 11th of May 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria
- 2018 Tkatchova, S. Emerging Space Markets, Women In Aerospace, 21st of September 2018, Leiden, The Netherlands
- 2016 Tkatchova, S. SESAR Exploratory Research, 10th of March 2016, Madrid, Spain
- 2015 Tkatchova, S. ASDA Keynote Speaker, ATM Exploratory Research Tournament, 21st of July 2015
- 2015 Tkatchova, S. Innovative ATM Research, Royal Aeronautical Society, 14th of April 2015, Cranfield University, UK
- 2013 Tkatchova, S. ISC Summit, presentation 30.10.2013 Future Trends in Space Commercialisation, London, UK
- 2012 Tkatchova, S , Baldesi, G. , Atanassov, V A bounty System for Active Space Debris Removal, ISU Symposium Strasbourg
NETWORK ACTIVITIES
2021-2022 Moon Village Association volunteer in Team 3: Communication and Navigation on the Moon
Internet Publications
- 2019 Tkatchova, S., Lessons Learnt for NewSpace Companies, 28th March 2019, Space Hatch EU, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332849013_Lessons_Learnt_for_NewSpace_Companies
- 2018 Tkatchova, S., Emerging Space Markets, 8th of March 2019, Kosmonauta, https://kosmonauta.net/2018/03/emerging-space-markets-book-by-dr-stella-tkatchova/
TechTalks, Podcasts & Webinars
- 2023 Tech Talks: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-communities/eic-programme-managers/stela-tkatchova_en
- 2022 Episode 1: Eliminating space debris with innovative technologies https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-communities/eic-programme-managers/stela-tkatchova_en#techtalks
- 2021 Tkatchova, S., Unpacking Space Commercialisation, sponsored by Springer Nature, published by the The Authority File https://www.choice360.org/podcasts/episode-212/
- 2021 Tkatchova, S., Emerging Lunar Economy, published by Springer, https://link.springer.com/video/10.1007%2F978-3-030-69134-9
Training
- PMP/CAPM Course 2020 – Prosourc, Sint Niklaas, Belgium
- Program Management Course 2016 – Part IV – EC, Brussels, Belgium
- Program Management Course 2016 – Part III – EC, Brussels, Belgium
- Program Management Course 2015 – Part II – EC, Brussels, Belgium
- Program Management Course 2014- Part I- EC, Brussels, Belgium
- Project Management Course 2011 - Learning Tree International
- Public Speaking Course 2010 - Learning Tree International
ADVISORY BOARD
- 10/10/2022 - present Series Editor for the Springer Space and Society series
- 20/11/2022 - present Advisory Board Member of the European Centre for Space Economy and Commerce
- 20/01/2025– present Guest editor for Springer Journal for Industrial and Business Economics, Special Issue on “Economics and Business of Space”
Publications
- 2017 Tkatchova, S. Book, Emerging Space Markets, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, ISBN 978-3-662-55667-2
- 2011 Tkatchova, S., Book , Space-Based Technologies and Commercialized Development: Economic Implications and Benefits, IGI Global, ISBN 13: 978-1-60960-105-9
- 2008 Tkatchova, S., Pelt, V.M., Commercialisation of Space Technology for Tomorrow’s Space Missions, Chapter XII in Commerce in Space, page241-256,IGI Global, 2008
- 2006 Tkatchova, S., From Space Exploration to Commercialisation, PhD thesis, PrintPartners Ipskamp, ISBN-13:978-909021009-4
Timeline
Programme Manager for Space Systems & Technologies
European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Age
03.2022 - Current
Commercialisation Manager and Co-founder
S-Cosmos Ltd
01.2021 - 02.2022
Expert for the EIC Pathfinder Calls and EU Agency for the Space Programme
EUSPA
04.2019 - 02.2022
Customer Solution Project Manager Managing ESA Projects
ST Engineering I Direct (Europe) former Newtec Cy
07.2018 - 12.2020
Project Manager
Thales Alenia Space
01.2017 - 06.2018
WP-E Program Manager/ATM Exploratory Research Expert
SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU), EC
09.2013 - 12.2016
Space Business Manager
Interstellar
01.2013 - 08.2013
Technology R&D Coordination Engineer
ESA-ESTEC Rhea System S.A.
01.2012 - 12.2012
Business Development & Marketing Engineer
Rhea System S.A.
01.2007 - 12.2012
Guest Lecturer
International Space University (ISU)
01.2001 - 12.2001
International Space Station Commercialization Expert
European Space Agency-ESTEC
01.2000 - 12.2006
Intern in the Cost Analysis Division
ESA-ESTEC
01.1999 - 12.1999
Expert on the secondary market of government securities
Bulgarian National Bank(BNB)
01.1998 - 12.1998
Junior financial assistant
MTK Consult
01.1996 - 12.1997
English Teacher
The New School of English
01.1993 - 12.1995
Ph.D. - Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering Group
TUDelft
Master of Science -
International Space University (ISU)