Because Nothing Says Space-Age Like PowerPoint Gradients

If your NewSpace toolkit still looks like WordArt titles, Excel 2003 macros, and a paperclip telling you how to format a pitch deck… good luck.

Clippy was cute. Clippy was annoying. But most of all, Clippy was a symbol of an era where “assistance” meant interruptions, not real support. And yet, many of us in the space industry continue to operate with the same mindset: relying on outdated tools, habits, and shortcuts, while claiming to be at the forefront of innovation.

Assistants Have Evolved. Have We?

Voice technology today is not about cartoon stationery popping up on your screen. It is about conversations that actually help you brainstorm, plan, and act. I have been using ChatGPT voice mode, and it feels less like an interruption and more like a colleague who listens, challenges, and responds instantly.

But this is only one example. This year alone, I had to become fluent in new project management platforms, refine my design workflow, reevaluate productivity hacks, and even experiment with fresh methodologies just to keep pace. In this industry, constant learning is not optional; it is survival.

The Illusion of Progress

Here is the irony: the NewSpace industry loves to brand itself as cutting edge, but how many teams are still managing billion-euro ambitions with outdated spreadsheets, endless email threads, and clunky processes that belong in 1997? You would never power a satellite with obsolete hardware, but somehow, powering a business with obsolete tools is considered normal.

That gap, between the innovation we promise and the way we actually work, is where credibility quietly dies.

Why It Matters

In NewSpace, speed and innovation make the difference. Funding cycles are tight, missions are complex, and collaboration is global. Falling back on outdated ways of working is not just inefficient; it is dangerous. The tools we choose define how far we get, not only in orbit but in business.

The Question

So tell me: are you still waiting for Clippy to run your satellite project, or are you trying out the new stuff?