#164 | Earth Return | Ryohei Kobayashi, Elevation Space

Elevation Space is a Japanese startup working on downmass – bringing things back from space to Earth – leveraging Japan’s strong heritage in reentry and recovery technologies. CEO and co-founder Ryohei Kobayashi in our guest. Enjoy!   🕰️ Timestamps:  0:00 Podcast Intro 01:35 Elevator Pitch 03:49 Origin Story 09:11 Product & Missions 17:22 Payload Strategy 18:53 Customers & Use Cases 25:05 Post-ISS Future 28:45 Milestones 32:42 Long-Term Vision 37:24 Closing: Japan Space Ecosystem + Sci‑Fi Favorites   🔗 Elevation Space 🏠Website :  https://elevation-space.com/en   🔗 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/

The most beautiful launchsite in the world – that is my description for this week’s episode. Andøya Space is a space launch center in Northern Norway. It is kind of what you would imagine if Disney’s Frozen had a rocket launch site. Jokes aside, it is a serious strategic asset that has launched rockets since 1962 and now has German launch company Isar Aerospace as an orbital launch customer. My guest to talk about all this is Andøya Space’s CEO, former Vice Admiral Ketil Olsen. Enjoy! 🕰️ Timestamps:  0:00 Podcast Intro 00:41 Intro to Andøya Space 03:12 Historical Background 04:56 Location aspects 10:45 Transition to Orbital Launches 15:01 Commercial Aspects 18:18 Infrastructure 21:25 Regulations 23:51 Liability considerations 25:34 Technology Safeguard Agreement with the U.S. 27:08 Future Plans 31:45 Building a Space Ecosystem 33:58 Visiting Andøya Space 40:36 Closing remarks   🔗 Andøya Space 🏠Website :  https://andoyaspace.no/   🔗 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/

Open Cosmos, a European space scale-up, has cemented a reputation as a reliable provider and operator of satellites for various mission types. Now they have secured priority spectrum to build a new LEO broadband satellite communications constellation. Co-founder and CEO Rafel Jordá Siquier is our guest to tell us about it. Enjoy! 🕰️ Timestamps:  0:00 Podcast Intro 01:13 Elevator Pitch 02:05 Today's News: Spectrum Rights for Satellite Communications 04:24 The Journey of Open Cosmos 06:02 Innovative Business Models 13:46 Manufacturing Capabilities 19:52 Future Plans and Partnerships 24:02 What It Takes To Build A LEO SatComm Constellation 31:19 Synergy Between Earth Observation and Communications 36:02 Spectrum & Regulatory 43:41 Vision for the Future and Favorite Science-Fiction   🔗 Open Cosmos 🏠Website :  https://www.open-cosmos.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/

Apex Space is a Los Angeles based satellite bus manufacturer. They want to productize satellite buses and build them at scale for government and commercial customers. Our guest is co-founder and CEO Ian Cinnamon. Enjoy! 🕰️ Timestamps:  0:00 Podcast Intro 01:00 Welcome & Elevator Pitch 03:06 Origin Story 10:33 Challenges in Satellite Manufacturing 14:18 Vertical Integration and Supply Chain 19:23 Global Competition 22:03 Apex Space's Product Line 23:06 Introduction to Robust Satellite Platforms 27:53 Business Model 30:38 Markets 34:15 More on Manufacturing 36:25 Current Status & Future Plans 40:39 Favorite Sci-Fi   🔗 Apex Space 🏠Website :  https://www.apexspace.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/

This is my preview of what the year 2026 may hold for the Space sector - including in launch, lunar, space applications, science, government, finance, events, etc. 🕰️ Timestamps:  00:00 Podcast Intro 00:57 Intro: Preview of 2026 in the Space Sector 02:45 Launches & Rockets 07:27 Lunar Missions 09:12 Space Stations & Downmass 11:05 Human Spaceflight 12:01 Space Applications 14:51 Space Science Missions 15:39 Government Space 17:35 Finance, Funding & Investments 19:13 Selected Space Events 20:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   🔗 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/

There has been a lot of recent talk about a potential SpaceX IPO. I sit down with Aaron Burnett, co-founder and CEO of Mach33, to discuss. Mach33 and Ark Invest collaborate on an open-sourced SpaceX financial model. Enjoy! 🕰️ Timestamps:  0:00 Podcast Intro 01:25 Episode Overview: SpaceX IPO and Business Model 03:07 Aaron Burnett 04:54 Understanding SpaceX's Businesses 09:31 Launch Business 17:51 Starlink 36:30 Margins, Cashflows and Valuation 43:54 Potential Future Business Lines 51:42 Mars and Long-Term Value 56:25 Potential Tail Risks 1:01:30 When to Sell?   🔗 SpaceX model by Ark Invest & Mach33: https://github.com/ARKInvest/ARK-Invest-Mach-33-SpaceX-Valuation-Model 🔗 Mach33 website: https://www.33fg.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/

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/