Dr Jan Smisek

Head of Space and Defence at Transcelestial

Speaker

Dr Jan Smisek leads the Space and Defence verticals at Transcelestial Technologies, where he focuses on delivering secure, high-bandwidth laser communication solutions for enterprise and government applications. Since joining Transcelestial in 2020, he has played a key role in developing advanced beam pointing and tracking systems that drive the company's cutting-edge optical communication technology. Before Transcelestial, Jan spent six years at the European Space Agency (ESA), designing robotics control systems for space missions, including enabling the first-ever force-feedback teleoperation from the International Space Station. He also helped launch AI-driven robotics solutions for aviation logistics with a Singapore-based startup. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of robotics, aerospace, and communication technologies, Jan is passionate about translating deep-tech innovation from lab demonstrations to real-world deployments.