Estelle Van Praet helped put Aerospacelab on the map in Europe. Now, she’s trying to do the same in the US.
The 27-year-old chief of staff of the Belgium-based firm is tasked with growing Aerospacelab’s operations on two continents as it tries to redefine itself in the New Space ecosystem. The company designs its own small satellites, operates those launched by others, and provides subsystems for use in other designs.
“We have a bunch of cool technologies that are coming to market and so we are currently crafting the whole product strategy,” she said. “The main project, currently, is the transition from an R&D company…into a more product- and customer-oriented company.”
Bridging the gap: Van Praet, who holds master’s degrees in aerospace engineering and corporate finance, jumped from investing in companies to growing one in 2022.
As chief of staff, Van Praet bounces between meetings with R&D, sales and marketing, and CEO Benoît Deper to turn the company’s vision into reality. She acts as a sort of translator, ensuring developers understand the financial considerations at play and walking the business side through the details of satellite designs.
Coming to America: With facilities in Belgium, France, Switzerland, and northern California, Aerospacelab is turning its focus to a new factory outside Los Angeles. It’s up to Van Praet to foster a cohesive company culture—and keep the “same spark in the US as we have in Belgium,” she said.
She looks forward to seeing American workplace culture up close—and following the unexpected turns of her own career.
“I didn’t plan on moving to the US six months ago,” she said. “It’s more growing with the company and…going with the flow.”
