From FEE to Korea and Space Technologies
Could you briefly introduce yourself? What did you study at FEE, and what are you doing today?
My name is Filip Řežábek, and I am currently finishing my PhD at the Technical University of Munich. At FEE CTU, I studied Communications, Electronics and Multimedia and completed my bachelor's degree in 2016. During my studies, I spent a year on an exchange programme in South Korea, which was an invaluable experience made possible by FEE.
Today, I am the co-founder of SpaceComputer, a company focused on security technologies for satellites and space infrastructure.
You are behind the startup SpaceComputer. How would you explain what you do and why it matters?
The space industry is currently experiencing enormous pressure to launch ever-larger numbers of satellites while reducing launch costs. However, considerably less attention is being paid to security.
Satellites are gradually becoming part of critical infrastructure, making it essential to ensure secure communication between them. At the same time, most satellites today serve a single customer, which limits efficiency and scalability.
We are developing specialised hardware and software that allow multiple users to securely share a single satellite without having to trust one another. In the long term, our goal is to build infrastructure in space that functions similarly to cloud services on Earth.
When Cryptography Meets Space
How does your expertise in security, cryptography, and distributed systems translate into space technologies?
It is the perfect intersection of all the fields I have been working on throughout my career. We use cutting-edge cryptographic technologies ranging from post-quantum cryptography and secure multi-party computation to zero-knowledge proofs. These technologies form the foundation of our solution.
At the same time, it is necessary to understand the telecommunications protocols that enable communication between Earth and satellites. Since a single satellite can represent a point of failure, entire satellite constellations must be built. This is where expertise in distributed systems and network architectures becomes essential.
You have worked at Siemens and Cisco Systems. How have those experiences helped you build your own startup?
Each experience came at a different stage of my career. I spent a year at Cisco Systems between my bachelor's and master's studies, working in Silicon Valley. I was part of a team focused on security and product development and had the opportunity to see how technologies for major enterprise customers are created.
During my master's studies, I worked for approximately two and a half years at Siemens in Munich, in its central research and development team. There, I learned how to dive deeper into research, approach problems systematically, and develop security technologies with greater rigour.
Today, we try to combine both approaches: the speed and product focus of the startup world with the thoroughness and technical rigour of research.
Where do you see the greatest opportunities in space tech over the next few years?
Opportunities exist across virtually every segment of the industry. We are seeing the rise of new launch companies, growing competition to dominant players, and new satellite communication providers.
One of the biggest future trends, however, is space-based data centres. While this may still sound futuristic, a growing number of startups and projects are already working intensively on the concept.
If this vision becomes reality, there will be a need for specialised hardware, software, and entirely new applications designed specifically for the space environment. In many ways, it resembles the early days of the internet—the creation of infrastructure upon which entirely new services and applications can later emerge.
Academia and Entrepreneurship: Can They Go Together?
You founded your startup while pursuing a PhD at the Technical University of Munich. How can academic work and entrepreneurship be combined?
It is challenging. The greatest support comes from my wife, as a significant portion of evenings and weekends is devoted to work.
On the other hand, there are many synergies between the university and the startup. We are a deep-tech company, so collaboration with students and academia is extremely important to us. Moreover, I have been working on similar topics in my research for years; today, I am simply applying them to the space sector.
What has surprised you most about building a company?
Probably the breadth of responsibilities a founder must take on. One day I am dealing with marketing, the next I am writing research papers, then working on the product, leading a team, or meeting investors.
I originally came from a purely technical background. Today, I also need to present our product, engage with customers, and serve as the strongest ambassador for the technology we are building. It is a constant learning process.
You also continue to return to FEE as an external lecturer in the Blockchain Lab. What do you enjoy about teaching?
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have many mentors who helped me and provided valuable guidance. I believe it is important not only to receive support but also to give back to the community.
FEE gave me a very strong foundation, and I feel it is important to stay connected with the faculty. Blockchain Lab is a great initiative, and I enjoy helping students gain insight into current technologies and the realities of industry. If I can inspire someone or pass on useful experience, I consider that meaningful.
FEE versus Munich
Why did you choose FEE CTU?
Both CTU and FEE have long enjoyed an excellent reputation and offer high-quality technical education. I was already interested in computer networks and security in secondary school, so the choice was fairly straightforward.
One of FEE’s greatest strengths is the range of opportunities it offers students, whether through international exchanges, high-quality teaching, or the possibility of taking courses across different faculties. That is far from commonplace.
You studied at both FEE and the Technical University of Munich. How would you compare the two institutions?
Both universities offer students excellent educational opportunities. The biggest difference is their size.
The Technical University of Munich is significantly larger. Some introductory courses attract more than a thousand students, which naturally limits individual interaction. In this respect, FEE felt more personal and close-knit.
On the other hand, TUM is very strongly connected to industry and places a strong emphasis on research. Students frequently have opportunities to collaborate with companies or pursue academic careers. That said, I believe CTU has also made significant progress in strengthening industry links in recent years.
Memories of FEE
Which lecturers or moments from your studies do you remember most fondly?
I have many great memories. I still remember the Signals and Systems course, which had a rather intimidating reputation among students. However, we had an excellent teaching assistant who managed to keep us motivated and made the classes enjoyable.
I also fondly recall the Electromagnetic Field lectures, where a correct answer could earn you a bottle of wine. And, of course, I remember the many courses at the Department of Telecommunications, where I spent a large part of my studies.
Do you remember any story from your student years that still makes you smile today?
I vividly remember my final major exam in Signals and Systems with Professor Vejražka. It was one of those exams students genuinely feared.
We completed the written part in the morning, followed by the oral examination. Meanwhile, dark clouds gathered outside, a thunderstorm rolled in, and from the seventh floor the view looked like Mordor. The atmosphere perfectly matched the stress surrounding the oral exam.
In the end, everything turned out well. I passed the exam, the sun came out, and all the anxiety disappeared. I still remember that contrast between the storm and the sense of relief afterward.
What advice would you give to today’s students?
Do not be afraid. Do not expect to change the world within a single semester. Studies and careers are marathons, not sprints.
What matters is building strong foundations and learning how to learn. Technologies will change, but fundamental principles remain. A university cannot provide all the answers for the next thirty years, but it can teach you how to continuously acquire new knowledge.
If you had to summarise in one sentence what studying at FEE gave you professionally, what would it be?
Perseverance and self-confidence. It taught me not to give up, to overcome demanding challenges, and to believe that with persistence, you can keep moving forward.
Photo credit: Petr Neugebauer
