How Direct-to-Device Satellites Are Changing Military Communications | Tim Hillner
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Release Date: 02/04/2026
How Direct-to-Device Satellites Are Changing Military Communications | Tim Hillner
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
What if military satellite communications worked on standard cell phones? Not as a future concept, but today. In this episode of Mission Critical: Defense and Aerospace Recruiting, Katherine Jerald is joined by Tim Hillner, co-founder of Fairwinds Technologies, to unpack a breakthrough that is redefining tactical communications. Tim and his team recently demonstrated the world’s first tactical direct-to-device satellite connectivity using standard, unmodified commercial cell phones with no custom hardware required. Working alongside AST SpaceMobile, Fairwinds validated secure voice, data,...
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CEO Reveals Why Small Engineering Firms Are the Future of Space | Janet Grondin
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Small engineering firms are not just competing with the primes… they may be the future of national security space. Janet Grondin, CEO of Stellar Solutions, joins Mission Critical to explain why small systems engineering companies are positioned to solve the hardest problems in the space ecosystem, and why culture has become a strategic advantage. With more than 27 years of leadership across the Air Force, Space Force and Northrop, Janet has seen every side of the industry. At Stellar, she leads a company built on a culture of empowerment that removes bureaucracy and lets engineers solve...
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Frank Muth: Small Drones Are Changing the Future of War
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Small drones are no longer just tools... they’re transforming the very nature of warfare. Retired Major General Frank Muth joins Mission Critical to explain why the battlefield of tomorrow is already here, and how Deltawerx Aerospace is building drones designed for it. Frank shares the mission of Deltawerx Aerospace; building ultra-compact drones with changeable payloads that deploy in seconds. With over 200 patents and a product the size of a deck of cards, Deltawerx is answering the Army’s call to arm every warfighter with their own drone—now, not five years from now. If you work in...
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Onkar Singh Batra: The 19-Year-Old Building Space’s Next Internet
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
04At just nineteen, Onkar Singh Batra is redefining what it means to lead in aerospace. As founder and CEO of Apolink, a YC-backed startup building a 24/7 Internet for satellites, he’s tackling one of space’s most complex challenges; eliminating communication dead zones in low Earth orbit. In this episode, Onkar shares how he went from launching satellites in high school to leading a Silicon Valley space-tech company, what he’s learned about leadership before his 20th birthday, and why true innovation in aerospace comes from those willing to think differently. “You can’t go at it...
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The Empathy Engine: MilDef's Sales Team Secret | Jim Rimay
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Katherine welcomes Jim Rimay, President of MilDef US, a systems integrator and full-spectrum provider specializing in rugged IT for the most demanding military and government environments. With Swedish roots and a growing U.S. presence, MilDef is bridging two worlds, bringing Nordic collaboration and balance to the fast-paced American defense market. Jim shares how cultural integration, customization, and a “win-win” mindset are driving MilDef’s expansion and redefining what it means to lead in defense technology. “No lone wolf out here is going to make it. What we’re selling is a...
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Jon Ostrower: The Quiet Strategy Behind Aerospace’s Most Trusted Newsroom
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
You can now follow mission critical on Youtube: In a time when AI-generated noise clutters every feed, Jon Ostrower is doing the opposite; Building a trusted, slow growth media brand rooted in depth, clarity, and real human connection. In this episode, Jon shares the founding story of The Air Current and the contrarian media bet that made it one of aerospace’s most respected outlets. From his time at CNN and The Wall Street Journal to launching a premium aerospace newsletter, Jon walks us through how The Air Current avoids hype and rewrites the rules of aviation journalism. “Time is the...
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Inside Airbus U.S: Debra Facktor on Why People and Culture Drive Space Innovation
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
What makes a space company win? According to Debra Facktor, it’s not just engineering — it’s the people. As Head of U.S. Space Systems at Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc., Debra has led the organization through one of its boldest pivots to date — from a missed contract opportunity to becoming a key player in the SDA’s Tranche 1 and 2 programs. But as she reveals in this conversation, the real transformation wasn’t just technical. It was cultural. In this episode, Debra explains how Airbus U.S. scaled up operations, developed a new satellite bus, and embraced speed — all...
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What It Takes to Scale in Aerospace: Global Talent, Smarter Buses & the End of One-Size-Fits-All | Tina Ghataore (Aerospacelab)
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
What’s the secret behind one of the fastest-scaling satellite companies in Europe? According to Tina Ghataore, it’s not just tech — it’s talent, vertical integration, and the courage to challenge industry narratives. In this episode, Tina Ghataore, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer at Aerospacelab, reveals the leadership and strategy behind building a global satellite business with staying power. From the upcoming launch of their mega factory to the complexities of international defense markets, Tina shares how Aerospacelab is pushing beyond the “one-box-fits-all” approach and...
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The $110M Deal Redefining Satellite Defense Connectivity | Per Norén
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
What happens when innovation, mission-critical needs, and geopolitical shifts come together in one game-changing deal? In this episode, we talk to Per Norén, CEO of Ovzon AB, a Swedish satellite communications company that’s leading the way in secure, mobile connectivity solutions. Per shares insights on Ovzon’s $110 million contract with the Swedish Defense Material Administration, marking a milestone in mission-critical satellite connectivity. This isn’t just about technology—it’s about resilience, speed, and the future of satellite communications in defense. From breaking into...
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The Legal Landmines That Can Kill Your Funding Before It Starts | John Gordon & Shawn Cheadle, Attorneys at Taft Law
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
"Compliance is a revenue driver, because you're going to attract more customers that want your business when your shop looks pristine." – Shawn Cheadle You’ve got a great product. You’re chasing contracts. Maybe you're eyeing VC funding or dreaming of an IPO. But if you ignore legal and compliance early on, those dreams could blow up at the worst possible moment. In this episode, Katherine sits down with Taft Law experts John Gordon and Shawn Cheadle to break down the most common legal and compliance mistakes startups make—and how to fix (or better yet, prevent) them....
info_outlineWhat if military satellite communications worked on standard cell phones?
Not as a future concept, but today.
In this episode of Mission Critical: Defense and Aerospace Recruiting, Katherine Jerald is joined by Tim Hillner, co-founder of Fairwinds Technologies, to unpack a breakthrough that is redefining tactical communications. Tim and his team recently demonstrated the world’s first tactical direct-to-device satellite connectivity using standard, unmodified commercial cell phones with no custom hardware required.
Working alongside AST SpaceMobile, Fairwinds validated secure voice, data, and mission applications over a non-terrestrial network, marking a significant shift in how military communications can be deployed at scale. Tim brings a rare perspective shaped by senior government engineering roles, startup leadership, and years spent operating in contested communications environments.
“You need to understand the intent of the requirement, not just what’s written on paper.” – Tim Hillner
This conversation is not just about satellites. It is about alignment between government and industry, leadership under pressure, and how trust and technical rigor turn ambitious ideas into operational capability.
Inside this episode:
– What direct-to-device satellite connectivity actually means for military operations
– How Fairwinds and AST SpaceMobile achieved tactical NTN using standard cell phones
– Why physics, not software alone, unlocked this capability
– Lessons from Tim’s time as an Army RF and satellite engineer
– Why written requirements often fail and how to fix them early
– How listening and alignment shape high-performing technical teams
– The role of AI and adaptive networks in future C5, ISR, and EW systems
– The hardest leadership lesson Tim learned as a founder under real pressure
If you work in defense communications, aerospace, or mission-critical technology, this episode offers a grounded look at how direct-to-device satellites are already changing the way the military connects, operates, and adapts.
Connect or learn more about Tim:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyhillner/
www.fairwinds-tech.com
Connect with Katherine Jerald:
http://www.elraysearch.com
Mission Critical is produced in partnership with https://www.podlad.com