Description

Cecilia Hertz, founder of Umbilical Design and co-founder of I.S.A.A.C. (International Space Asset Acceleration Company), offers transformative insights into how the space sector manages complexity, fosters innovation, and drives sustainable solutions for Earth. Drawing from her extensive experience collaborating with NASA, astronauts, Sir Richard Branson, and global space entrepreneurs, Cecilia reveals how mindsets, materials, and methodologies from the space industry can unlock new ways of thinking, acting, and leading on Earth. This course connects space exploration to practical strategies for businesses and individuals seeking to thrive in uncertain and complex environments.

Prerequisites and audience

This course is for:

• Individuals working within organizations who want to drive development, innovation, and sustainability.
• Professionals curious about what we can learn from the space sector and how to transfer that knowledge to daily operations.
• Anyone passionate about shaping a sustainable future through interdisciplinary inspiration and complexity-embracing tools.
• No specific technical background is required—just an open mind and a willingness to think beyond Earth.

Course Goal

Explore and apply key insights, behaviors, and technologies from the space sector to real-world business and sustainability challenges on Earth. Learn how space-tested strategies—ranging from psychological safety to iterative innovation and trust in uncertainty—can empower organizations to embrace complexity, catalyze transformation, and build resilient, opportunity-focused teams.

Certificate

At the conclusion of the course, you have the option of purchasing a blockchained digital micro-credential certificate for USD29.

Instructor

Cecilia Hertz

Cecilia Hertz started her career in the space sector already as an Industrial design student at Lund Institute of Technology in Sweden. An initial STAR design project at NASA, Houston, Johnson Space Center was followed by her Diploma work at NASA, Houston, developing the interior of the Crew Return Vehicle (CRV), which was planned as a rescue vehicle for the International Space Station (ISS).

Umbilical Design was founded in 2001 by industrial designer Cecilia Hertz, and since its inception has worked with NASA and ESA on design for the space industry. Umbilical Design is an innovation consultancy company with over 15 years of experience in space technology transfer representing Sweden as part of ESA Space Solutions Network.
Cecilia Hertz has been successful in showing how design, technology and material from the space industry can be transferred to sustainable solutions. What Cecilia Hertz call the “Astronaut lifestyle” inspires to increased sustainability both through technology and behaviour changes. It also inspires to a new mindset. Technology developed for space can serve as a driving force in developing and transferring sustainable solutions to terrestrial challenges. Space technology transfer is a potential growth engine and an innovative force for industry.

Umbilical Design has worked with a wide range of large companies over the years such as Volvo Cars, Electrolux, Scania and Björn Borg, and active in industries such as forestry industry, steel industry, truck and car industry, and the construction industry.

In year 2022 Hertz founded I.S.A.A.C. International Space Asset Acceleration Company, with serial entrepreneur Mattias Hansson and Swedish Astronaut Christer Fuglesang as co-owner. First project in I.S.A.A.C. is Space for Agenda 2030, with the purpose to accelerate sustainable development by using insights and technologies from space sector. I.S.A.A.C. proudly works with NREP, Koenigsegg, Stilride, Jernkontoret, STUA and Stena Fastigheter.


Cecilia Hertz is a frequently booked speaker and panellist at seminars, and has recently launched a book called “SPACE – and everything we can learn from it”.
Cecilia Hertz gives speaks within space technology transfer, design for outer space and extreme environments, design strategy, innovation, creativity, sustainable city development and entrepreneurship.

Prakash Airani Kalathil
2025-11-12

Yes. Very much

Beda Meienberger
2025-11-11

How you break down "A Space Vision" in a daily effort progress.

Jeremy Staples
2025-11-10

Provides a different perspective on the value of space and the space industry on the innovation process by eliminating earth based boundaries that we take for granted and helps you to let go of your own thinking.

Dr. Kasia Hein-Peters
2025-11-10

It's a very inspirational course on how to transfer an innovation approach between industries.

Joel Duran
2025-11-10

Insightful, inspiring, actionable, a simple way to check your innovation mindset and ask yourself why not.

Sheetal Meesala
2025-11-10

Excellent Course!