2025 DIGITAL CMC SUMMIT / ON-DEMAND SESSION
Lessons from Space: Scaling Innovation in Highly Regulated Industries
In this year’s keynote, a SpaceX astronaut shares how inventive thinking, resilience, and a fail-forward mindset can deliver big results—even in complex regulatory frameworks.
Session highlights & insights
Explore how SpaceX’s iterative design philosophy accelerates progress and mitigates risk.
Learn how NASA’s contract structure empowered private companies to drive innovation.
Discover how space program innovators shifted manual tasks to digital platforms.
See how agile team structures and strategic risk-taking can lead to mission success.
Keynote Spotlight | Doug Hurley
Astronaut ★ U.S. Marine Colonel ★ Speaker ★ Trailblazer
Astronaut Doug Hurley, a pioneer in modern spaceflight, piloted NASA’s final Shuttle mission and commanded SpaceX’s first crewed commercial flight, ushering in a new era of exploration.
His experience balancing innovation with strict regulation offers key lessons for the life sciences – where speed, quality, and compliance must align.
SUMMARY
Lessons from SpaceX: How failing forward redefined what's possible in a strict regulatory environment
This year’s Summit opened with an inspiring exploration of how SpaceX and NASA revolutionized commercial spaceflight. The session, featuring Doug Hurley, Astronaut and U.S. Marine Colonel, provided a firsthand account of the challenges, breakthroughs, and lessons learned in bringing a new era of crewed missions to life.
In sharing his experiences piloting NASA’s final Shuttle mission and commanding SpaceX’s first crewed commercial flight, Doug discusses how innovation can thrive within stringent regulatory frameworks—offering insights into adaptability, risk management, and the importance of strategic partnerships in pushing boundaries. From overcoming catastrophic test failures to redefining safety and innovation through iterative design, this session revealed how risk-taking and agility can drive transformational success.
Watch this session to learn:
– How SpaceX’s “fail forward” approach enables rapid innovation and problem-solving.
– The role of NASA’s contract structure in accelerating private sector-driven advancements
– Lessons in leadership, adaptability, and collaboration for leaders in any highly regulated space
