On Orbit
Hosted by Via Satellite's Senior Managing Editor Rachel Jewett, On Orbit is a technology podcast focused on the socioeconomic value of space and satellite capabilities.
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Breaking the Power Constraint in Space With Star Catcher’s Andrew Rush
05/19/2026
Breaking the Power Constraint in Space With Star Catcher’s Andrew Rush
SWAP — size, weight, and power — is a defining feature of space engineering constraints. As new technologies and designs have opened up options for size and weight, power is still a limiting constraint. Longtime space executive Andrew Rush turned his attention to the issue of power in space with Star Catcher, the company he co-founded in 2024. Star Catcher has the bold ambition to break the constraints of power in space by deploying satellites that can function as a power grid in orbit and beam power to client satellites, on demand. Andrew joined the On Orbit podcast just ahead of Star Catcher’s Series A funding announcement. As former CEO of Made in Space and Redwire’s first COO, Andrew has had a front row seat to the evolution of commercial space, and considers himself a student of the sector. That experience and hearing from industry colleagues informed the design and business model of Star Catcher. In this episode, Andrew talks about why he sees power as a fundamental infrastructure need in space, similar to transportation and telecommunications, and how plans for the generation of infrastructure compares to the changes he’s seen so far.
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Future-Proofing Satellite Networks With ST Engineering iDirect Sales SVP Brian Jakins
05/05/2026
Future-Proofing Satellite Networks With ST Engineering iDirect Sales SVP Brian Jakins
How do you future-proof your satellite network to thrive in an increasingly connected world? It’s a key question that network operators are asking as they navigate new technologies like 5G, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), multi-orbit architectures, and AI-driven applications. This week, Brian Jakins, senior vice president of Sales at ST Engineering iDirect joins the On Orbit podcast for a conversation about network modernization. Brian works closely with ST Engineering iDirect’s customers, which gives him a unique viewpoint at the intersection from both the satellite side and the network operator perspective. In this episode, he talks about the tradeoffs operators are making, how they are approaching emerging technologies and what’s truly responding as they look to build scalable, resilient networks. This episode of On Orbit is brought to you by ST Engineering iDirect, a global leader in satellite communications providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their businesses and optimize their satcom networks.
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Inside SatEnlight’s Spiral Staircase of Lasers: Interview with Startup Space Winner Matteo Vismara
04/21/2026
Inside SatEnlight’s Spiral Staircase of Lasers: Interview with Startup Space Winner Matteo Vismara
Based in Milan, Italy, SatEnlight is an optical communications technology company with a terminal that stacks multiple beams on top of each other, arranged in what looks like a multi-layered spiral staircase of lasers. SatEnlight CEO and co-founder Matteo Vismara and his co-founder developed the product based on years of scientific research in Physics and work based at the CERN Large Hadron Collider in Geneva. Matteo joins On-Orbit this week in a conversation with Via Satellite Executive Editor Jeffrey Hill after he won SATShow’s 10th Annual Startup Space entrepreneur pitch contest. In this interview, he explains why he chose the risk of starting a private company over the safety of almost guaranteed university tenure and the details of a slide deck tip he received during pitch coaching that helped him win Startup Space. Matteo also talks about how Italy is building off of its deep legacy in cutting-edge space science and why he believes the SatEnlight terminal could actually help create new standards for optical transmissions in space.
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Automation and Agility: How SSC Space Go Is Designed for the New Age of Ground
04/07/2026
Automation and Agility: How SSC Space Go Is Designed for the New Age of Ground
SSC Space has a mission to help its customers access space — whether that’s spacecraft operations and engineering, operating the Esrange launch center in Sweden, or its global ground network. With 54 years of operations, SSC Space has deep experience in space missions. Now, the company is expanding its ground systems business with SSC Space Go, designed for commercial companies with small satellites in LEO. This week, On Orbit hosts Jonas Åslund, product manager, and Viktor Pankov, product owner, of SSC Space Go to hear about how the service was designed to meet the needs of the evolving commercial space market. Both Åslund and Pankov are ground segment experts, and they share the hardware and software upgrades that went into the service, and how it’s designed to enable greater automation and flexibility. This episode of On Orbit is brought to you by SSC Space, a leading global provider of advanced space services in science, ground segment, rocket test and launch services.
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Investing in American Manufacturing: Shey Sabripour Talks CesiumAstro’s Ramp-Up
03/17/2026
Investing in American Manufacturing: Shey Sabripour Talks CesiumAstro’s Ramp-Up
As a young electrical engineer at RCA Corporation, Shey Sabripour was inspired by the company’s legacy of contributing to space missions, and he wanted to make his own mark by establishing a company that builds technology in the United States. He went on to found CesiumAstro 10 years ago, which is now at a pivotal moment in its growth journey. He joins On Orbit this week after and secured $200 million EXIM financing to build out its manufacturing capabilities in Texas under the “Make More in America” initiative. In this interview, he shares his deep passion for building in America, and how he sees a crucial link between strong commercial competition, resilient supply chains, and defense readiness. Sabripour also talks about how CesiumAstro has methodically grown from providing software defined radios to now, full-scale missions and previews the launch of the company’s first Element satellite, targeted for later this year.
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Designing for the Next Generation of GEO With Swissto12 CEO Emile de Rijk
03/10/2026
Designing for the Next Generation of GEO With Swissto12 CEO Emile de Rijk
Emile de Rijk started Swissto12 with a simple goal — to make access to Geostationary Orbit (GEO) faster and more affordable. In order to achieve that, the company had to think smaller. From its origins as a startup, Swissto12 is now coming of age as a disruptive European satellite manufacturer. This week, Swissto12 CEO Emile de Rijk joins On Orbit to talk about the company’s cutting edge payload technology and the decision trade-offs that come with payload flexibility. De Rijk also talk about how Swissto12’s approach to smaller, more flexible GEO satellites fits in with the issue of sovereign space, and how it might also fit into the future concepts of orbital data centers. The company is at a critical juncture this year with satellite builds for both SES and Viasat underway. De Rijk shares the latest updates on the Hummingsat program. This episode of On Orbit is brought to you by Swissto12, a manufacturer of advanced satellite radio frequency components, payloads, and systems.
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Semiconductors, Satellites, and Scale With Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy
03/03/2026
Semiconductors, Satellites, and Scale With Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy
Semiconductors are foundational to satellite operations, powering everything from communications payloads, to sensing, and propulsion control. As CEO of Spirit Electronics, Marti McCurdy’s work is at the heart of the semiconductor supply chain. Spirit Electronics offers semiconductor services that range from ASIC design and foundry, to wafer processing, and qualification. The company has always served a mix of defense and space, but is seeing growth in its space business in recent years with the uptick of growth in the industry. Marti says the work isn’t new; it’s just applying the company’s expertise in semiconductors to a new customer base. In this episode, Marti shares the ins and outs of semiconductor supply chains and the work that goes into being a trusted manufacturing partner. She also shares what’s in store for Spirit Electronics in 2026 and how AI is impacting the company’s work in test development. This episode of On Orbit is brought to you by Spirit Electronics is a supplier of high reliability electronic components, engineering services, and superior supply-chain solutions.
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From Skepticism to Maturity: Unpacking Space Investment in 2025 With Chad Anderson
02/10/2026
From Skepticism to Maturity: Unpacking Space Investment in 2025 With Chad Anderson
Investment in space infrastructure hit a new record in 2025, reaching $22.2 billion, according to Space Capital’s latest report. This level of investment surpassed the previous record of 2021. Chad Anderson, CEO and founder of Space Capital, joins On Orbit this week to share his takeaways from 2025 from Space Capital’s recent , alongside predictions for 2026. Anderson says the record levels of investment in 2025 show the market has transitioned from skepticism to industrial maturity and proven utility. He also shares some of the trends driving momentum for 2026, like the uptick of investment in geospatial intelligence capabilities aligning with AI investment, and how a SpaceX IPO in 2026 could impact the rest of the space investment landscape.
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The Infrastructure Revolution Behind Data Centers in Space With Ramon.Space CEO Avi Shabtai
01/27/2026
The Infrastructure Revolution Behind Data Centers in Space With Ramon.Space CEO Avi Shabtai
Data centers in space have been a hot topic in the last few months as a potential future solution to the limitations of running massive data centers on Earth. Ramon.Space, which builds edge computing and onboard processing systems has been preparing for this future for years. In this episode, Ramon.Space CEO Avi Shabtai shares the concept of a distributed architecture data center in space, with many satellites acting as nodes in a mesh network. Avi envisions a fleet of satellites forming a large data center, with each satellite capable of computation, storage, and other capabilities. He explains the tech behind the headlines, and shares his predictions for how data centers in space might take shape over the next five to ten years. This episode of On Orbit is sponsored by Ramon.Space
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The Commercial-Defense Convergence: 2026 Trends to Watch
01/13/2026
The Commercial-Defense Convergence: 2026 Trends to Watch
There’s a growing understanding that space-based capabilities are critical for national defense strategies, and defense demand for commercial space systems has been a key trend in 2025 influencing both satellite communications, manufacturing, and imagery and sensing. 2025 brought the announcement of the Golden Dome planned missile defense architecture, and a steep ramp-up in space investment in nations around the globe. Nations are working to secure sovereign communications and access to space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data. This episode of On Orbit shares a webinar Via Satellite editors hosted in December on space and defense trends for 2026. Experts from Lanteris Space Systems and BlackSky shared some of the key takeaways from this trend in 2025, how commercial companies are evolving their offerings to answer the call, and what’s ahead in defense adoption of commercial satellite technologies in 2026. This episode features Krupal Patel, senior director of National Security Space Business Development for Lanteris Space Systems and Scot Currie, vice president of Geospatial Solutions for BlackSky. The webinar was sponsored by Lanteris and BlackSky.
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Quantum is Coming: How Does it Change the Game for Space Systems and Networks?
12/22/2025
Quantum is Coming: How Does it Change the Game for Space Systems and Networks?
Forecasts on the arrival time for quantum computing vary greatly – from “it will be here in a decade” to “it’s already here.” There is consensus on the fact that it’s coming, and when it does, it will change the way we build and protect networks in space. In this episode of our , we’re joined by experts in the field to help understand how quantum computing and quantum encryption will most likely work according to the research that is being conducted today. This episode covers the concept and definition of quantum resiliency and how that will be determined in an unknown future. Experts also discuss what quantum computing could accomplish in space if these powerful systems are able to survive the harsh environment. This is hosted by Jeffrey Hill, executive editor of Via Satellite and features Capella Space CEO Frank Backes and Joe Touch, principal scientist in the Information Systems and Cyber Division of The Aerospace Corporation. This is the last episode of On Orbit for 2025. See you next year!
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Space Traffic Management for Security With Neuraspace CEO Chiara Manfletti
12/09/2025
Space Traffic Management for Security With Neuraspace CEO Chiara Manfletti
Is space crowded? Although there’s been such a large increase in satellites in orbit, it’s not a simple question. On Orbit with Chiara Manfletti, CEO of Portugal-based space traffic management company Neuraspace. Chiara emphasizes the need for better coordination on space situational awareness (SSA) and space traffic management (STM) and the evolving landscape of standards and regulations. This episode also covers how nations have taken a greater interest in working with commercial operators for SSA capabilities, and why strong SSA is critical for ensuring peace as space becomes more contested.
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Space-Grade Innovation: The Evolution of Onboard Computing With Aethero CEO Edward Ge
11/25/2025
Space-Grade Innovation: The Evolution of Onboard Computing With Aethero CEO Edward Ge
Computing capability has advanced rapidly on Earth, but on-board computing in space is more challenging — as chips have to be hardened to function amid the radiation environment in space. Edward Ge, co-founder and CEO of three-year old startup Aethero, is working to tackle this challenge and enable higher computing power onboard satellites. In this On Orbit episode, Ed explains some of the challenges with space-based computing, and why there’s the push to improve on-board processing to support missions like space missile defense, space domain awareness, rendezvous and proximity (RPO) operations and even future targets like orbital data centers. He sees the space industry in the midst of a transition where on-board processing will become the default, rather than the exception.
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How Sovereign Networks Fit Into National Strategies With ST Engineering iDirect
11/11/2025
How Sovereign Networks Fit Into National Strategies With ST Engineering iDirect
While sovereign satcom systems are not a new idea, sovereignty has become a critical issue in the satellite industry over the last year as geopolitical trends push nations to want more control over their communications and space data. This episode of On Orbit features Keith Blanchet, vice president of Global Government for ST Engineering iDirect, to dig into this global trend. Sovereignty can involve control over space and ground assets, spectrum, cryptography, and supply chains. Blanchet gives insight into the challenges that nations work through as they make decisions about sovereign networks like affordability, local expertise, and managing scope creep, and how commercial providers work closely to meet national needs. He also talks about how multi-orbit orchestration is playing a key role as nations look to build hybrid architectures and partner with their allies. This episode of On Orbit is sponsored by ST Engineering iDirect
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Building the Future of Infrastructure in Space With Dr. Ariel Ekblaw of Rendezvous Robotics
10/28/2025
Building the Future of Infrastructure in Space With Dr. Ariel Ekblaw of Rendezvous Robotics
In-space manufacturing on a large scale is a capability that has seemed like science fiction but is now moving closer to reality. Rendezvous Robotics, which came out of stealth mode last month, is one startup working on the challenge of how we will build a future in space. This episode of On Orbit features co-founder Dr. Ariel Ekblaw to hear more about the autonomous, modular tiles that Rendezvous Robotics is developing to dock and build structures in space, and what this could mean for structures like large phased array antennas, solar panels, or in-space manufacturing sites. Ariel is also the founder of the Aurelia Institute, which works to democratize space access through education and outreach. She shares her passion for building the future of human life in space, which she gave a Ted Talk on earlier this year, and how she envisions a future in space where humans don’t just survive, but thrive.
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Digitization at the Edge With ETL Systems
10/14/2025
Digitization at the Edge With ETL Systems
The satellite industry is going through a digital transformation. In this episode of On Orbit, we’re joined by a group of experts representing RF manufacturing, and both parabolic and electronically scanned antennas for a look at digitization at the edge. Guests include Simon Swift, engineering director of ETL Systems; Dave Nicoll, strategic business director of Holkirk Communications; and John-Paul Szczepanik, CTO of All.Space. The discussion covers what digitization at the edge looks like for both conventional antennas and ESA terminals, and how it allows users at the edge with small, portable terminals to have the resilience of multiple networks without the need for multiple physical modems. This episode of On Orbit is sponsored by ETL Systems. For more information, visit .
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D2D and Defense Momentum: Takeaways from World Space Business Week
09/30/2025
D2D and Defense Momentum: Takeaways from World Space Business Week
Back from Paris, Via Satellite Editor Mark Holmes joins On Orbit host Rachel Jewett to unpack some of the top takeaways from World Space Business Week. Two themes drove much of the conversation during the week — direct-to-device (D2D) and defense. Spectrum was a big topic of conversation with SpaceX’s big spectrum buy and Viasat and Space42 unveiling a new shared spectrum approach to D2D. And while defense demand is not new, it’s driving conversations from satellite connectivity, imagery, and manufacturing, as Europe in particular is working though what increased defense spending means for space capabilities. Change was another theme this year with a new venue, and lots of new faces getting together to learn about the space and satellite industry. The editors cover some of the top storylines from the week, and their favorite parts of being in Paris in September.
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SAR for Sovereignty and Security: Inside Umbra’s Mission Solutions Business With Jason Mallare
09/10/2025
SAR for Sovereignty and Security: Inside Umbra’s Mission Solutions Business With Jason Mallare
Over the past year, Umbra has expanded its business from operating a commercial SAR constellation to also offering Mission Solutions — where it develops bespoke and custom space systems for the U.S., and its partners and allies. This episode of On Orbit features Jason Mallare, vice president and general manager of Umbra’s Mission Solutions business. Jason describes Umbra’s culture as “customer-obsessed,” and talks about how his team takes the learnings from operating its own constellation and uses that experience to help customers fulfill their own unique missions. Jason sees rising demand for space systems from defense and intelligence around the world, and explains why sovereignty is an important issue for these customers. This episode of On Orbit is sponsored by Umbra.
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Driving Commercial Integration in Space: Interview With COMSO Director Lt. Col. Tim Trimailo
08/26/2025
Driving Commercial Integration in Space: Interview With COMSO Director Lt. Col. Tim Trimailo
The relationship between the commercial space industry and the Space Force has evolved in recent years. While the Space Force using commercial capabilities is not new, the “buy before build” philosophy has marked a change in acquisition strategy. Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office (COMSO) was set up two years ago to better integrate commercial capabilities. This week’s On Orbit podcast episode features Lt. Col. Tim Trimailo, director of the Commercial Space Office. Trimailo took the helm of COMSO in April. Trimailo says that while COMSO has spent time seeding the landscape of commercial capabilities, the focus is shifting to delivering operational capabilities to the warfighter. He also shares the latest on the Commercial Space Augmentation Reserve, the Proliferated Low Earth Orbit, or PLEO IDIQ contract, and takeaways from a recent wargame around space domain awareness. This interview was part of the GovMilSpace Digital Series, a virtual event that brought together U.S. and allied space, defense, and intelligence leaders to address the evolving threats and priorities shaping tomorrow’s missions. The , with a panel discussion and video interviews featuring the Space Development Agency, UK Ministry of Defense, German BSI, and more. Registration is now open for , where these critical conversations continue in person during SATELLITE Week.
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AI and a New Era of Geospatial Intelligence with Esri’s Beau Legeer
08/12/2025
AI and a New Era of Geospatial Intelligence with Esri’s Beau Legeer
In this week’s episode, On Orbit interviews Beau Legeer, director of Imagery and Remote Sensing at Esri. While Esri doesn’t operate its own satellites, the company integrates commercial satellite data into its ArcGIS software offering, working to make satellite imagery accessible and user friendly for its customers. Beau talks about how the barrier to entry to exploiting satellite imagery has dramatically decreased from his start in the industry, when images were still processed on tape. And now, advances in AI models and even business models and subscriptions are lowering that barrier to entry even further to allow for more widespread adoption of satellite imagery. This episode is sponsored by AvL Technologies. AvL Technologies is a leading manufacturer of multi-band and multi-orbit satellite communications ground terminals, serving both government and commercial markets. With terminals ranging in size from 60 cm to 4.6 m AvL provides efficient, cost-effective solutions for voice, video, and data connectivity without the need for specialized training. AvL’s innovative and visionary approach to engineering and design ensures the critical requirements of today’s missions are met. For more information please visit avltech.com.
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Nanomedicine on the ISS: Pioneering Medical and Pharmaceutical Research in Orbit
07/29/2025
Nanomedicine on the ISS: Pioneering Medical and Pharmaceutical Research in Orbit
This episode of the Future Space Economy series focuses on how space is shaping the future of medicine. Host Jeff Hill is joined by Eascra Biotech CEO and co-founder Mari Anne Snow and Jana Stoudemire, senior executive, Barrios Technologies, to discuss some exciting new developments in bringing medical and pharmaceutical research to space. Eascra Biotech is a nanomedicine company that was selected for NASA’s Igniting Innovation: Science in Space to Cure Disease on Earth program to study a new application for their Janus Base Nanoparticles (JBNps) on the ISS. The program just launched to the ISS this past May. Snow talks about what they’ve learned about the ISS mission and how the space industry can better communicate the value of space as a research environment for the pharmaceutical industry. Stoudemire is working to establish a new business at Barrios Technologies supporting the development of economically sustainable and profitable uses of space. After a career in pharma, biotech and medical devices, Stoudemire transitioned to lead life science research in microgravity as part of the team managing the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, and roles with Space Tango and Axiom Space. This episode is part of the webcast series, sponsored by MDA Space.
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Sizing Up Satellite-Mobile Integration in 2025 With GSMA Intelligence
07/15/2025
Sizing Up Satellite-Mobile Integration in 2025 With GSMA Intelligence
The past few years have seen an uptick in partnerships between satellite and telcos as mobile operators look to expand the reach of their networks. Direct-to-device has garnered many of the headlines in this area, but the satellite-telco convergence also encompasses satellite broadband, backhaul, and IoT. This week, we hear from Tim Hatt, head of Research and Consulting for GSMA Intelligence, with perspective from the mobile industry’s side of the satellite/telco convergence. GSMA Intelligence provides forecasts and research for the global mobile ecosystem. The mobile ecosystem is closely watching the rollout of satellite constellations, and GSMA Intelligence is now tracking more than 100 partnerships between mobile operators and satellite companies. Tim talks about how mobile operators see working with satellite as a differentiator, some of the issues at play as direct-to-device begins to commercialize, and why we shouldn’t overlook the potential of standards-based satellite IoT.
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The Roadmap to the Satellite-Connected Car with BMW Group and 5GAA
07/01/2025
The Roadmap to the Satellite-Connected Car with BMW Group and 5GAA
While the satellite connected car has long been seen as a future market for the satellite industry, it hasn’t broken through into the mainstream yet. But recent developments in standards and technology are bringing this closer to reality. This week’s episode features two experts in vehicle connectivity from BMW Group, Olaf Eckart and Georg Schmitt, for a discussion on the path to integrating satellite connectivity into vehicles. Eckart and Schmitt explain the use cases where satellite makes sense for vehicles, some of the challenges specific to the automotive industry, and the roadmap for integrating satellite into vehicles from narrowband, wideband, to broadband. The first mass market applications with non-terrestrial network (NTN), narrowband IoT applications are expected to be deployed from 2027 on. They are part of the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), and the discussion covers vehicle demonstrations that 5GAA in Paris. The automotive industry is looking to benefit from the work that has been done to integrate satellite into mobile networks, and Eckhart and Schmitt talk about how standards have driven new momentum in the work between automakers, MNOs, and satellite players.
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Unveiling the Universe: How NASA's James Webb Telescope Changed Our Understanding of Space
06/17/2025
Unveiling the Universe: How NASA's James Webb Telescope Changed Our Understanding of Space
NASA's James Webb Telescope has captivated the public with incredible discoveries that include dying stars, distant galaxies, and signs of life on other planets. The telescope after 25 years in development. In this episode, we explore the history of the James Webb project, its journey to space, its breakthrough findings, and potential follow-up programs that could build on its success. Via Satellite Executive Editor Jeffrey Hill interviews Scott Willoughby, who served Northrop Grumman’s vice president and program manager for the James Webb Space Telescope, and Dr. Bhanu Sood, deputy chief technologist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Sood has served as NASA's risk assessment process owner for microelectronics on a number of flagship programs including JWST. This episode is part of the webcast series, sponsored by MDA Space.
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How Cuts to NWS and NOAA Could Impact the Upcoming Hurricane Season
05/27/2025
How Cuts to NWS and NOAA Could Impact the Upcoming Hurricane Season
With the start of hurricane season fast approaching, recent reports show that cuts and staff vacancies at the National Weather Service and NOAA could impact public safety services. Earlier this month, that a number of NWS weather forecast offices do not have a meteorologist-in-charge due to layoffs, early retirements, and vacancies. In this episode, On Orbit interviews Dan Harkins, COO of Tropical Weather Analytics, about how the upcoming hurricane seasons could be impacted by cuts and vacancies, and the critical role that government weather satellites play in keeping the public safe. While the U.S. is talking about investing in a massive-scale Golden Dome for missile defense, Harkins argues the country should consider a similar investment into weather monitoring capabilities — given how extreme weather events lead to loss of life, and disruption for both people and businesses. Aside from cutbacks, Harkins talks about what is missing in government weather monitoring capabilities, and how commercial companies play a role.
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Building Africa’s Satellite Ecosystem With Phemotron Systems CEO Femi Ishola
05/06/2025
Building Africa’s Satellite Ecosystem With Phemotron Systems CEO Femi Ishola
On Orbit interviews Femi Ishola, founder and CEO of Phemotron Systems, winner of the 2025 Startup Space competition at SATELLITE. Ishola is from Lagos, Nigeria, and has worked and studied all over the world including in Japan, Australia, and the U.S. Now he is taking his global experience developing space systems to use small satellites to solve challenges in Africa. Phemotron Systems plans to launch its first satellite next year, an Earth observation satellite with an AI engine for onboard edge computing, called AI-Motherbox-1. Ishola wants to establish the company as a key satellite integrator in Africa, help grow the space industry, and expand Africa countries’ access to satellite solutions. He hopes his startup space win encourages more investment in the African space industry.
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Investors’ Outlook on Future Space Economy Applications
04/22/2025
Investors’ Outlook on Future Space Economy Applications
The third season of the kicks off with a discussion about the financial outlook for new and upcoming applications that fall under the “Future Space Economy” category. These include: space transportation, space stations, tourism, research, robotics, and Moon/Mars missions. This episode features guests Dara Panahy, partner in the Milbank LLP Transportation and Space group; MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley; Meagan Crawford, managing partner of SpaceFund, Raphael Roettgen, general partner of E2MC Ventures; and Dave Diaz, a Loudon County, Virginia, economic development official. This episode was recorded at SATELLITE 2025, and includes a live Q&A segment from the webinar rebroadcast. Check out some of the ideas for .
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How the Ground Segment Enables Innovation in Space With Comtech’s Daniel Gizinski
04/08/2025
How the Ground Segment Enables Innovation in Space With Comtech’s Daniel Gizinski
As innovation has accelerated in satellite communications in the past five years, it has put pressure on hardware and software providers to deliver greater performance and more flexible capabilities. While technology in space tends to get a lot of attention, its hardware on the ground that makes delivering services from space possible. Last month during SATELLITE, On Orbit interviewed Daniel Gizinski, president of Comtech’s Satellite and Space Communications Segment about changes happening in the satellite ground segment, and how Comtech is evolving its offerings along with those changes. This conversation digs into what’s new in Comtech’s Elevate 2.0 VSAT platform, and digital common ground modem line. Gizinski also talks about the customer needs that drove these products, like sovereign communications, and reconfigurability. This episode of On Orbit is sponsored by Comtech. For more information, visit
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Navigating the Space Regulatory Environment in 2025 With River Advisers CEO Alexis Martin
03/25/2025
Navigating the Space Regulatory Environment in 2025 With River Advisers CEO Alexis Martin
Navigating the space regulatory environment can be one of the biggest challenges for companies whether they are startups or established operators. Consulting firm River Advisers is trusted for its strategic regulatory advice to satcom operators, assisting with market access, licensing, and spectrum management. On Orbit host Rachel Jewett spoke with River Advisers CEO Alexis Martin on the first day of the SATELLITE conference in D.C. about some of the most pressing regulatory issues impacting the satellite sector right now, like developing regulatory regimes for direct-to-device connectivity and differences in the international regulatory landscape. He also details growing interest in commercial communication services around the Moon and how this will require coordination at the next World Radiocommunication Conference, WRC-27. Martin also talks about how River Advisers, , is evolving how it services clients. This episode of On Orbit is sponsored by River Advisers. For more information, visit
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Storytelling for Space: Sarah Cruddas on Communicating the Value of Space
02/25/2025
Storytelling for Space: Sarah Cruddas on Communicating the Value of Space
Space journalist and TV personality Sarah Cruddas joins the On Orbit podcast this week ahead of her appearance as guest host at . Sarah has had an exciting career in space journalism and communications from being a weather presenter and science correspondent to being a TV personality, industry consultant and author. She’s extremely passionate about how space technology can make life better on Earth, and wants to see the industry get out of its bubble and do a better job of communicating why space technology matters. Sarah tells the story of how she covered the final Space Shuttle launch and landing in 2011 using a satellite dish to send a signal back to the BCC, and how she took a scientific look at reports of alien activity and UFOs as part of her work on two TV shows. We also talk about what she’s looking forward to at SATELLITE, from the keynotes, GovMilSpace program, and networking opportunities to connect with folks in the industry. This episode is sponsored by AvL Technologies. AvL Technologies is a leading manufacturer of multi-band and multi-orbit satellite communications ground terminals, serving both government and commercial markets. With terminals ranging in size from 60 cm to 4.6 m AvL provides efficient, cost-effective solutions for voice, video, and data connectivity without the need for specialized training. AvL’s innovative and visionary approach to engineering and design ensures the critical requirements of today’s missions are met. For more information please , or visit AvL at the SATELLITE Show at Booth 2118 in the Exhibit Hall.
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