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.