The SPAC Comeback, Military AI, & Future of Defense Tech 8/22/25

SPACs, or Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, are back – with aerospace & defense tech startups embracing the moment. Merlin, a startup focused on deploying AI into cockpits, is the latest to do so. The company announced a reverse merge with a SPAC led by Inflection Point Asset Management, valuing the company at $800 million pre-money and raise hundred of millions of dollars in proceeds. CEO Matt George joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the prospects of going public.

Armada is a startup focused on movable data center systems in AI computing in remote locations. It all started with a close collaboration with SpaceX, using the Starlink broadband network for connectivity. Co-founder & CEO Dan Wright joins Morgan Brennan to discuss edge computing, partnerships with energy producers and the AI arms race.

Impulse Space is expanding further into space. The in-space services startup has two space tugs in low earth orbit, but an upgraded spacecraft capable of going to geosynchronous orbit will launch this fall. Founder & CEO Tom Mueller was a founding member of SpaceX where his work on propulsion led the way for reusable rocket engines. He joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the new frontier, the startup’s $300M Series C funding round, and the potential for an IPO.

The IPO market heads to space today as Firefly Aerospace, a small & medium launch rocket maker, debuts on the Nasdaq. In what’s expected to be 2025’s biggest American space tech listing, the company is looking to list between $41 and $43 apiece for a $6.3 billion valuation. CEO Jason Kim joins Morgan Brennan ahead of trading to discuss the IPO, the company’s pathway to profitability, and how lunar missions play a role.

Apple's had its biggest revenue growth since December 2021—but it also has a space play in its back pocket. Apple owns a 20% stake in Globalstar, the satellite company that gives iPhones their space-based emergency service communications. Globalstar CEO Paul Jacobs joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the promise of satellite communications, physical AI and the fight for spectrum.

ULA is preparing for its next Vulcan launch in what will be the first official national security mission for the new rocket. A joint venture between Boeing & Lockheed Martin, ULA will conduct several launches for the government and then turn back to its commercial customer Amazon in the fall. ULA CEO joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the latest launch forecast for the company, Amazon Kuiper, and the need for national security in space.

Planets Labs CEO Will Marshall joins Manifest Space to discuss the company’s rapid growth, fueled by deals across the globe as the changing geopolitical landscape means countries are looking for real-time data from satellites to respond to natural disasters, security threats and more. Planet Labs stock is up more than 100% in the last three months and Marshall talks about the demand for his company’s product.  

Hadrian, a defense manufacturing startup focused on machine parts, has closed a $260 million Series C funding round. Led by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and Lux Capital, the capital will go towards building a 270,000 square foot factory in Arizona and expanding its California footprint. CEO Chris Power joins to discuss the raise, reviving American manufacturing and where defense tech goes from here.

Varda Space, an in-space manufacturing startup, has just raised $187 million in a Series C round led by Natural Capital and Shrug Capital. Since its inception four years ago, Varda has completed three successful missions, with a fourth in orbit and fifth expected by the end of 2025. Co-founder & CEO Will Bruey joins Morgan Brennan to discuss drug manufacturing in microgravity, hypersonic testing and more.

Axiom Space recently launched its fourth private crew mission to the International Space Station. AX-4-- sponsored by India, Poland and Hungary-- lifted off from Florida in a SpaceX capsule last week and is currently completing a two-week tour on the ISS. It was the first mission under CEO Tejpaul Bhatia, a serial entrepreneur with experience from Google, who took the helm at Axiom Space earlier this year. He joins Morgan Brennan to discuss the mission, alongside the company's development of its own commercial space station and lunar space suits for Prada.