#158 | Optical Comms As-a-Service | Jordan Vannitsen, Odysseus Space

Space lasers again! Odysseus Space from Luxembourg focuses on providing optical communications solutions between Space and Earth as a service. If you seem to notice that is not the first episode on optical communications, you’re right – I think this will be a potentially very big theme going forward. Our guest this week is Odysseus’ CEO & Co-Founder Jordan Vannitsen. Enjoy! 🕰️ Timestamps:  0:00 Podcast Intro 01:14 Elevator Pitch 02:44 Optical Communications 07:02 Business Model 13:09 Interoperability and Integration 15:17 Space-to-Ground Communication Architectures 18:41 Security and Geopolitical Considerations 22:18 Future of Optical and RF Coexistence 24:10 Challenges in Optical and Radio Communication 26:44 Satellite Requirements 32:05 Marketing and Business Development 34:05 Commercial Operations and Ground Stations 38:57 Future Plans 40:20 Luxembourg's Space Ecosystem 42:35 Origin Story 44:59 Closing: What else in Space? & Favorite Science-Fiction   🔗 Odysseus Space 🏠Website :  https://www.odysseus.space/home   🔗 Follow us: 🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/ 🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/ 🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast     🔗 Follow Raphael: ◇  Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC 🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen 🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/   To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy: "To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities. 📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO  edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments. 🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space- Space Founder Newsletter A new newsletter with opportunities for space startup founders. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/JCUq92vERtxsuYnF8 Space Business Newsletter 📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/

Magma Space is a U.S. startup with advanced technology to help keep satellites stable / jitter-free, which is more important to satellite communications and remote sensing than you may realize. We have Magma's CEO & Co-Founder Alessandro Stabile as our guest to help explain. 🕰️ Timestamps:  0:00 Podcast Intro 02:02 Elevator Pitch 04:31 Markets & Customers 10:11 Origin Story 15:50 Technology 21:46 Superconducting Materials in Space 22:35 Magnetic Levitation and Shielding 23:55 Testing and TRL Levels 24:35 Future Applications and Challenges 27:27 Scaling Production 28:22 Magnets 30:08 Vision for the Future of Space Technology 35:39 Orbital Edge Accelerator experience 37:42 DC Space Ecosystem 39:31 Science Fiction   🔗 Magma Space 🏠Website :  https://www.magma-space.com/   🔗 Follow us: 🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/ 🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/ 🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast     🔗 Follow Raphael: ◇  Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC 🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen 🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/   To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy: "To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities. 📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO  edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments. 🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space- Space Founder Newsletter A new newsletter with opportunities for space startup founders. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/JCUq92vERtxsuYnF8 Space Business Newsletter 📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/

Pixxel is a prominent earth observation startup originally from India and now present in the U.S., too. They are focused on so-called hyperspectral imaging. CEO & Co-Founder Awais Ahmed is our guest. 🕰️ Timestamps:  0:00 Podcast Intro 01:23 Elevator Pitch 03:32 Origin Story 07:51 Hyperspectral Imaging 09:54 Market Demand and Use Cases 18:25 Hyperspectral vs. Multispectral 22:07 Pixxel's Satellites 31:28 Data Cube and Onboard Processing 34:38 Machine Learning in Orbit 36:06 Current and Future Satellite Deployments 38:40 Beyond Hyperspectral 39:34 Future of Earth Observation 46:43 Entrepreneurial Lessons and Industry Insights 50:32 The Indian Space Ecosystem 52:19 Science Fiction Favorites   🔗 Pixxel 🏠Website :  https://www.pixxel.space/   🔗 Follow us: 🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/ 🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/ 🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast     🔗 Follow Raphael: ◇  Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC 🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen 🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/   To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy: "To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities. 📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO  edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments. 🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space- Space Business Newsletter 📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/

How can you get real-time intelligence from space rapidly and cheaply? Novi Space is a startup from Virginia that uses its own hardware and on-orbit edge processing to do just that. Their CEO Michael Bartholomeusz is our guest this week. 🕰️ Timestamps:  0:00 Podcast Intro 01:33 Elevator Pitch 02:50 Real-Time Intelligence and Use Cases 06:02 Technical Details 12:02 Commercial and Defense Applications 18:33 Low Latency 19:09 Cost Reduction and Democratization of Geospatial Intelligence 20:00 Innovative Use Cases and Market Disruption 23:33 Space Data Centers 25:47 Novi's Satellite Constellation 31:37 Developing a Space-Based App Ecosystem 36:35 Future Vision & Closing Thoughts   🔗 Novi Space 🏠Website :  https://www.novispace.ai   🔗 Follow us: 🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/ 🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/ 🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast     🔗 Follow Raphael: ◇  Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC 🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen 🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/   To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy: "To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities. 📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO  edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments. 🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space- Space Business Newsletter 📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/

Cailabs is a French laser company and one thing they are doing are optical communications between Earth to Space. This has a number of advantages over radio frequency communications, which is why it is being adopted by customers, for example in defense. The company also just raised EUR57M. Founder & CEO JF Morizur is our guest. 🕰️ Timestamps:  00:00 Podcast Introduction 01:08 Intro & Elevator Pitch 02:32 Advantages of Optical Communication 10:31 Solving Atmospheric Interference 24:13 Market Demand 26:38 Future of Optical Architecture 26:51 Spectrum Scarcity 28:31 Optical vs. Radio: A Hybrid Future 29:50 In-Flight Connectivity 31:12 Optical Comms and Constellations 37:37 Risk and Industrialization of Optical Comms 41:04 Supply Chain and Scalability 44:03 Future Plans and Expansion 46:56 Safety of Lasers 48:36 Extraterrestrials & Science Fiction   🔗 Cailabs 🏠Website :  https://www.cailabs.com/   🔗 Follow us: 🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/ 🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/ 🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast     🔗 Follow Raphael: ◇  Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC 🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen 🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/   To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy: "To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities. 📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO  edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments. 🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space- Space Business Newsletter 📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/

SatSure is an Earth intelligence company from India, processing satellite imagery to generate insights for various industry verticals. Co-founder and CEO Prateep Basu is our guest. Enjoy!  🕰️ Timestamps:  00:00 Podcast Introduction 01:10 Elevator Pitch 02:51 Non-Defense Markets 05:22 Market Education 08:27 Market Verticals 16:47 SatSure's Product 19:46 Satellite Data 23:43 Future Proprietary Data 24:15 Investments and Gaps in Earth Observation Capabilities 25:11 Sensor Diversity and Data Harmonization 26:50 Government Influence and Market Dynamics 28:49 Hyperspectral Data and Market Challenges 30:54 Space Data Explosion and Onboard Computing 32:28 Downlinking Challenges 33:35 Business Model and Market Strategy 37:09 Future of Earth Observation 41:54 SatSure's Vision and Indian Space Ecosystem 44:35 Closing: Other Opportunities in Space & Science Fiction   🔗 SatSure 🏠Website :  https://www.satsure.co/   🔗 Follow us: 🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/ 🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/ 🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast     🔗 Follow Raphael: ◇  Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC 🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen 🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/   To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy: "To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities. 📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO  edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments. 🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space- Space Business Newsletter 📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/  

SPACE ROBOTS! We are are talking about this exciting topic again in this episode. Icarus Robotics is a NY-based space robotics start up that just raised its $6M seed financing round. Co-founders Ethan Barajas and Jamie Palmer are our guests.  🕰️ Timestamps:  00:00 Podcast introduction 01:33 Elevator Pitch 02:56 Role of Robots in Space Stations 05:42 Challenges and Innovations in Space Robotics 12:22 Future of Space Robotics and Competition 24:16 Training for Space Missions 24:42 Robots in Space Exploration 25:38 Business Opportunities in Space 26:43 Low Earth Orbit Innovations 32:10 Prototyping and Testing Robots 36:05 Future of Robotic Labor in Space 38:41 Founders' Backgrounds and Inspirations 42:56 Favorite Robots in Science Fiction   🔗 Icarus Robotics 🏠Website :  https://www.icarusrobotics.com/   🔗 Follow us: 🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/ 🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/ 🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast     🔗 Follow Raphael: ◇  Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC 🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen 🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/   To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy: "To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities. 📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO  edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments. 🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space- Space Business Newsletter 📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/  

Atomic-6 is an advanced composites solutions manufacturer providing products such as satellite solar arrays and Space Armor(TM), based in Atlanta. Founder & CEO Trevor Smith is our guest this week. 🕰️ Timestamps:  00:00 Podcast Intro 02:02 Elevator Pitch on Atomic-6 02:43 The Advantages of Composites in Space 04:00 From Real Estate to Advanced Composites: Trevor's Journey 04:14 The Birth of Atomic-6: From Tequila to Technology 08:40 Finding the Right Market: Space and Defense 13:49 Innovative Products: Space Armor and Solar Arrays 21:24 Customer Requirements for Solar Arrays 22:52 Challenges of Scaling Production 25:25 Space Armor 31:42 Future Milestones 35:30 Atlanta Space Ecosystem 36:55 What else is interesting in Commercial Space 39:58 Science Fiction   🔗 Atomic-6 🏠Website :  https://www.atomic-6.com/ 🎤 Trevor's podcast on Atomic-6 YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@atomic6_composites/podcasts   🔗 Follow us: 🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/ 🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/ 🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast     🔗 Follow Raphael: ◇  Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC 🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen 🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/   To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy: "To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities. 📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO  edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments. 🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space- Space Business Newsletter 📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/  

Monitoring greenhouse gases, including from Space. That’s our topic this week. We therefore have another earth observation startup on the show as our guests: Airmo from Germany. They’re developing an innovative instrument including LiDAR to track greenhouse gases. Founder-CEO Daria Stepanova joins me to explain their technology and market in more detail. Enjoy! 🕰️ Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction 01:20 Elevator Pitch and Daria's Background 04:20 Airmo's Technology 07:12 Comparison with Existing Solutions 09:38 Customer Benefits 11:51 From Drones to Satellites 14:44 Potential Additional Applications 20:17 Evolution of Remote Sensing Technologies 20:32 LIDAR as a New Commercial Remote Sensing Instrument 22:06 Regulations as a Demand Driver 25:53 Use Cases and Target Customers 29:44 Business Model and Vision 35:13 Vision for the Future of Remote Sensing 40:20 Science Fiction   🔗 Airmo 🏠Website :  https://www.airmo.io   🔗 Follow us: 🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/ 🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/ 🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast     🔗 Follow Raphael: 🔷LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen 🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/  ◇  Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC   To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy: "To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities. 📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO  edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments. 🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space- Space Business Newsletter 📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/

Mini-brains in space. Did you know that we can study something called brain organoids, effectively mini-brains, in the special conditions in space, on the International Space Station, and that such studies may help us with diseases like Alzheimers, Autism or Parkinsons? My guest this week is Prof. Alysson Muotri from the University of California San Diego. He and his team have flown such brain organoids to the ISS many times already. Don’t miss this episode on what I consider one of the most exciting intersections of space and biology, and ultimately a potential source of massive positive impact right here on Earth! 🕰️ Timestamps:  00:00 Intro 00:29 Alysson Muotri 02:12 Understanding Brain Organoids 03:49 Stem Cells and Brain Organoids 10:31 Accelerated Aging in Space 14:18 Challenges and Discoveries in Space Research 17:33 Applications and Future Research 26:43 Neurodegenerative Diseases 27:27 Brain Organoids in Computing 29:25 Ethical Considerations of Brain Organoids 31:32 Regenerative Medicine and Brain Organoids 34:39 Brain Evolution and Neanderthal Genes 39:21 Space Research and Future Prospects 43:58 Challenges and Opportunities in Space Biology 47:22 Science-Fiction   🔗 UCSD Sanford Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research Center (ISSCOR) 🏠Website :  https://stemcells.ucsd.edu/centers/sanford-integrated-space-stem-cell-orbital-research-center/index.html   🔗 Follow us: 🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/ 🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/ 🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast     🔗 Follow Raphael: 🔷LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen 🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/  ◇  Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC   To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy: "To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities. 📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO  edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments. 🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space- Space Business Newsletter 📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/