#160 | 2026 in Space Preview | Raphael Roettgen, E2MC

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/

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/