The Spaceman: Craig Talks with Chris Newlands About Satellites, Global Impact, and Changing the Game

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by long-time friend and visionary entrepreneur Chris Newlands, Founder and CEO of Space Aye. Chris is a former Royal Navy accountant and sniper (yes, really!) who’s now changing the world - literally - with a satellite tech platform that’s been called “the most exciting thing to happen in space in the last 10 years.”

Chris has been named the #4 space entrepreneur in the world, behind Musk, Bezos and Branson.

He’s doing it differently. Building differently. Thinking differently.

From tackling wildfires and deforestation to fighting global crime, Chris explains how real-time satellite imagery combined with ground-level intelligence is reshaping how we see and respond to the world’s biggest challenges. Backed by NASA, supported by the UN, and lauded by Interpol, Space Aye isn’t just a tech business, it’s a global mission.

In a conversation packed with ambition, integrity, and practical advice, Craig and Chris discuss the financial lessons behind building a game-changing company, why relationships matter more than pitch decks, and what it means to think really big.

 

Key Topics Discussed:
✅ The leap from military life to global tech entrepreneurship
✅ Why Space Aye is more than just “Google Earth live”
✅ Building credibility without PowerPoints or investment decks
✅ How to partner with the UN, Interpol and emergency services
✅ Balancing moonshot thinking with grounded financial discipline
✅ The future of data, security, and global visibility

 

Key Takeaways:
✅ World-changing ideas don’t need big budgets - they need belief, grit, and clarity
✅ Real innovation starts by seeing the problem differently
✅ Relationships drive results more than slides or spreadsheets
✅ True financial control empowers visionary thinking
✅ Sometimes, it pays to not fit the mould

 

Memorable Quotes:
📢 “It’s Google Earth, but live.”
📢 “We’ve agreed with the UN to capture the Amazon rainforest every day.”
📢 “Interpol told us this could remove physical crime on a global scale.”
📢 “I didn’t have a pitch deck or a business plan - just a belief in what this could do.”
📢 “This isn’t about space - it’s about people, safety, and the future of the planet.”

 

Timestamps:

00:42 Meet Chris Newlands: CEO of Space Eye

02:20 Chris Newlands' Early Career and Military Service

06:36 Transition to Financial Services

09:15 The Birth of Talk Holiday

11:30 From Talk Holiday to Space Eye

13:15 The Concept of Space Selfies

17:00 Patent and Future Prospects

19:08 Revolutionising Wildfire Management with Space Eye

19:48 Expanding Applications of Space Eye Technology

20:52 Transforming Shipping and Logistics

22:15 Defence, Security, and Environmental Impact

23:16 Innovative Funding and Investment Strategies

25:51 Global Impact and Future Prospects

27:12 Advisory Board and Key Partnerships

30:57 The Future of Space Eye and Final Thoughts

 

Resources Mentioned:
📌 Space Aye – Chris Newlands’ game-changing satellite platform
📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Helping business owners grow with confidence