Chantal Cappelletti

University of Nottingham • Associate Professor

Chantal is an active member of the International Academy of Astronautics, an Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham, and the founder of the NottSpace team. An internationally recognised leader in small satellite engineering, she has worked across Europe, Brazil, and the United States, contributing to the development, launch, and operation of numerous CubeSat and PocketQube missions. She played a pivotal role in one of the most significant milestones in the history of ultra small spacecraft: in 2015, she managed the world’s first PocketQube launch, which also marked the deployment of the first completely additively manufactured satellite. This achievement helped redefine rapid development space missions and continues to influence the evolution of low cost, high impact satellite technologies. Chantal has supported national space agencies, founded successful academic satellite programmes, and mentored emerging teams worldwide. Her work bridges technology, education, and societal benefit, with passions ranging from biomedical research in space to climate monitoring, disaster response, and STEM outreach. At Nottingham, she leads interdisciplinary collaborations and hands on training that empower students to design, build, and test real spacecraft. Beyond academia, she is deeply committed to widening participation in space engineering, delivering workshops, international events, and school programmes that make space science accessible to learners of all ages. Her career reflects a dedication to innovation, inclusivity, and global cooperation — and a belief that small satellites can drive big change for science, society, and future exploration.

Events

International Astronautical Congress 2026

5 - 9 October 2026

Antalya, Türkiye

Participation: