On Orbit

Inside SatEnlight's Spiral Staircase of Lasers: Interview with Startup Space Winner Matteo Vismara

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Based in Milan, Italy, SatEnlight is an optical communications technology company with a terminal that stacks multiple beams on top of each other, a...

Automation and Agility: How SSC Space Go Is Designed for the New Age of Ground

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

SSC Space has a mission to help its customers access space — whether that's spacecraft operations and engineering, operating the Esrange launch cen...

Investing in American Manufacturing: Shey Sabripour Talks CesiumAstro's Ramp-Up

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As a young electrical engineer at RC Corporation, Shey Sabripour was inspired by the company's legacy of contributing to space missions, and he wanted...

Designing for the Next Generation of GEO With Swissto12 CEO Emile de Rijk

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Emile de Rijk started Swissto12 with a simple goal — to make access to Geostationary Orbit (GEO) faster and more affordable. In order to achieve t...

Semiconductors, Satellites, and Scale With Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Semiconductors are foundational to satellite operations, powering everything from communications payloads, to sensing, and propulsion control. As CEO ...

From Skepticism to Maturity: Unpacking Space Investment in 2025 With Chad Anderson

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Investment in space infrastructure hit a new record in 2025, reaching $22.2 billion, according to Space Capital's latest report. This level of invest...

The Infrastructure Revolution Behind Data Centers in Space With Ramon.Space CEO Avi Shabtai

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

The Commercial-Defense Convergence: 2026 Trends to Watch

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There's a growing understanding that space-based capabilities are critical for national defense strategies, and defense demand for commercial space sy...

Quantum is Coming: How Does it Change the Game for Space Systems and Networks?

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Space Traffic Management for Security With Neuraspace CEO Chiara Manfletti

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is space crowded? Although there's been such a large increase in satellites in orbit, it's not a simple question. On Orbit revisits the question wit...

Space-Grade Innovation: The Evolution of Onboard Computing With Aethero CEO Edward Ge

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Computing capability has advanced rapidly on Earth, but on-board computing in space is more challenging — as chips have to be hardened to function a...

How Sovereign Networks Fit Into National Strategies With ST Engineering iDirect

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While sovereign satcom systems are not a new idea, sovereignty has become a critical issue in the satellite industry over the last year as geopolitica...

Building the Future of Infrastructure in Space With Dr. Ariel Ekblaw of Rendezvous Robotics

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

Digitization at the Edge With ETL Systems

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 manu...

D2D and Defense Momentum: Takeaways from World Space Business Week

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 W...

SAR for Sovereignty and Security: Inside Umbra's Mission Solutions Business With Jason Mallare

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

 Over the past year, Umbra has expanded its business from operating a commercial SAR constellation to also offering Mission Solutions — where it de...

Driving Commercial Integration in Space: Interview With COMSO Director Lt. Col. Tim Trimailo

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The relationship between the commercial space industry and the Space Force has evolved in recent years. While the Space Force using commercial capabil...

AI and a New Era of Geospatial Intelligence with Esri's Beau Legeer

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Nanomedicine on the ISS: Pioneering Medical and Pharmaceutical Research in Orbit

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 C...

Sizing Up Satellite-Mobile Integration in 2025 With GSMA Intelligence

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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. Di...

The Roadmap to the Satellite-Connected Car with BMW Group and 5GAA

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

Unveiling the Universe: How NASA's James Webb Telescope Changed Our Understanding of Space

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

NASA's James Webb Telescope has captivated the public with incredible discoveries that include dying stars, distant galaxies, and signs of life on oth...

How Cuts to NWS and NOAA Could Impact the Upcoming Hurricane Season

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With the start of hurricane season fast approaching, recent reports show that cuts and staff vacancies at the National Weather Service and NOAA could ...

Building Africa's Satellite Ecosystem With Phemotron Systems CEO Femi Ishola

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On Orbit interviews Femi Ishola, founder and CEO of Phemotron Systems, winner of the 2025 Startup Space competition at SATELLITE. Ishola is from Lagos...

Investors' Outlook on Future Space Economy Applications

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The third season of the Future Space Economy series kicks off with a discussion about the financial outlook for new and upcoming applications that f...

How the Ground Segment Enables Innovation in Space With Comtech's Daniel Gizinski

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As innovation has accelerated in satellite communications in the past five years, it has put pressure on hardware and software providers to deliver gr...

Navigating the Space Regulatory Environment in 2025 With River Advisers CEO Alexis Martin

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Navigating the space regulatory environment can be one of the biggest challenges for companies whether they are startups or established operators. Con...

Storytelling for Space: Sarah Cruddas on Communicating the Value of Space

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Space journalist and TV personality Sarah Cruddas joins the On Orbit podcast this week ahead of her appearance as guest host at SATELLITE 2025.  Sar...

The Satellite Industry's Policy Priorities for Trump 2.0 With Madeleine Chang

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on On Orbit, we hear from Madeleine Chang, director of policy for the Satellite Industry Association about the policy priorities SIA is advo...

Not Your Dad's Space Domain Awareness, With Brien Flewelling of ExoAnalytic Solutions

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We often hear space described as congested and competitive but Dr. Brien Flewelling likes to describe the situation in space as dense, dynamic, and de...

Space Situational Awareness in an Era of Weaponized Space

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of the Future Space Economy series explores the dangerous, yet increasingly likely hypothetical situation that a space-faring nation brea...

2024 Year in Review With Via Satellite Editors

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's never a slow news day in the space and satellite industry and there's a lot to talk about from 2024 — from SES's acquisition of Intelsat, St...

Baiju Bhatt on Aetherflux's Vision to Build a Power Grid in Space

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tech entrepreneur Baiju Bhatt, known for disrupting the investing landscape with Robinhood, has his sights on the space industry. The Robinhood co-fou...

Evolving Launch and Delivery Infrastructure to Support an Expanding Space Economy

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode in the Future Space Economy series, leaders from Rocket Lab, NASA, and Northrop Grumman explain how launch infrastructure is...

Acres of Potential: How NASA Acres Works to Bring Satellite Imagery to the Agriculture Industry

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

NASA Acres is working to bring the value of satellite imagery to farmers and the agriculture industry in the U.S. This episode features NASA Acres Dep...

What a Trump or Harris Election Win Means for the Space and Satellite Industry

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week's On Orbit podcast is a topical look at space policy in the U.S. election. Host Rachel Jewett is joined by fellow Via editor Jeff Hill for a...

Via Editors Recap World Space Business Week

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Via Satellite editors Jeff Hill and Mark Holmes join the podcast to talk about their trip to Paris for the annual World Space Business Week....

Patti Grace Smith Fellows Share the Program's Outsized Impact

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's On Orbit podcast episode, we hear firsthand about the impact the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship is making. Patti Grace Smith was a pion...

Space Robotics: Leading Autonomous Systems for Building, Capturing, and Servicing

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode in the Future Space Economy series highlights breakthroughs from leading space system manufacturers in building autonomous robots that i...

What's Propelling the Need for In-Space Mobility?

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On-board propulsion is one of the biggest decisions that satellite operators make in the process of designing their spacecraft. The decision impacts t...

Bluetooth from Space: Hubble Network Reimagines Satellite IoT

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You probably use Bluetooth every day to connect your phone to your car, speakers, and headphones. Now satellite startup Hubble Network is rethinking t...

Caleb Henry Sets Out to Catalog the Story of OneWeb

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

OneWeb is one of the most compelling stories of the New Space era. From its start as one of the first constellation ventures, and early success, to it...

Exploring NASA's Post-ISS Space Station Options

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the approaching retirement of the International Space Station (ISS), NASA has contracted several commercial companies to develop orbital faciliti...

Fighting Wildfires from Space With the Earth Fire Alliance

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wildfires have a devastating impact on human and animal life, property, biodiversity, and air quality, local economies, and so much more. In this week...

How Planet Works with Partners to Accelerate its Impact With CFO Ashley Johnson

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're joined by Ashley Johnson, Planet CFO and president for a conversation about how satellite data contributes to transparency fo...

Building Deep Space Satellite Connectivity Networks

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Connectivity is the cornerstone of today's global economy and it will certainly be the case for the Future Space Economy, with even more complex, data...

How TrustPoint Aims at the Commercial Future of GPS, with CEO Patrick Shannon

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's On Orbit episode, we're joined by Patrick Shannon, CEO of TrustPoint. Patrick won the 2024 Startup Space pitch contest at SATELLITE in ...

To LEO, GEO, and Beyond: A Conversation With Tom Mueller

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We have a special On Orbit episode from SATELLITE 2024 this week, a fireside chat with Impulse Space CEO Tom Mueller. Mueller is considered one of t...

Nuclear Weapons in Space: Behind the Headlines With Brian Weeden

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A few weeks ago, space security issues took center-stage in the news after reports of a nuclear satellite weapon. This raised a lot of questions — W...

Unpacking the Geopolitical Landscape of GNSS With Zephr CEO Sean Gorman

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We often take for granted how much of our modern lives are underpinned by GPS technology. This episode of On Orbit digs into GPS and the global landsc...

Exploring Potential in Quantum Tech, Diversity, and Creativity With Sonali Mohapatra

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, On Orbit interviews Sonali Mohapatra, who works in quantum innovation at the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) in the U.K. Son...

Keeping Space Clean and Safe for Everyone: The Global Sustainability Mission

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is always an inherent risk when doing anything in space. That said, a handful of space sustainability-minded companies are working hard to minim...

Inside the World of Space Communications With Sarah Nickell

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Space has a compelling story to tell, but it can be a challenge to craft the message. As Space is such a technical sector, it can be hard for leadersh...

2023 Year in Review With Via Satellite Editors

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

2023 was a big year in news in the satellite industry. Nearly all the top operators saw a mix of leadership changes, mergers and acquisitions, and maj...

Explaining the Vital Space-to-Ground Link With SSC's Erwin Mercado

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

SSC's mission is: "We help Earth benefit from Space." For SSC — Swedish Space Corporation — fulfilling that mission involves its extensive ground ...

Satellite Policy and a Side of Space Movies With Henry Gola

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What do satellite policy and space movies have in common? For starters, space debris often plays a key role in both. In this episode of On Orbit, we t...

How Startups are Shaping the Future Space Economy

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Over the course of this debut season of Future Space Economy, we've learned how dependent both private and public sector space investors are on startu...

What Does ESG Mean for the Space Industry Here on Earth?

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we talk about sustainability in the space industry, we're usually talking to space sustainability issues like space traffic management and space ...

Protecting the Space Economy: Cyber Defenses and National Security

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us understand the damage caused by cyberattacks on Earth. In space, the consequences of cyberattacks are even more dire. They can sabotage yea...

Future Space Economy Series: The Evolution of the Space Tourism Experience

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As it exists today, the space tourism "experience" relies on the thrill of just being in space for a select group of dedicated space enthusiasts. Howe...

Why the MyRadar Weather App Launched its Own Satellites

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With 50 million downloads and 950,000 ratings, and an average rating of 4.8 stars, MyRadar is one of the most popular weather apps, putting weather i...

Future Space Economy Series: The Value of a Lunar Economy Explained

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why are the world's space faring nations racing back to the moon? What is the value of establishing a new lunar economy? In this episode of On Orbit's...

Is Space Crowded? Managing Traffic in Space With Chiara Manfletti of Neuraspace

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is space crowded? While space is infinite, space crowding is an important issue as the satellite industry launches more and more mass to orbit each ye...

Decoding the Direct-to-Device Market With Tarun Gupta of Skylo Technologies

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the past year, the satellite industry has been a part of a slew of announcements about direct-to-device and satellite to cell. Now, major names in ...

Future Space Economy Series: Laws and Liability in Space

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Space is an exciting new frontier for the global economy, but like all frontiers, it exists largely without a legal framework to guide and protect the...

Internet of Tractors: Unlocking Agricultural Connectivity with John Deere Engineer Chung Hsieh

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Deere made headlines last year announcing a satellite project — looking for industry partners to connect thousands of agricultural machines bey...

Our 100th Episode, Featuring Startup Space Winner Jacqueline Good

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The On Orbit podcast has reached 100 episodes! Thank to our listeners for tuning in over the past three years for engaging conversations with the peop...

An Inside Look at Geospatial Intelligence With Ronda Schrenk

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ronda Schrenk has had a front-row seat to the evolution of geospatial intelligence in the United States. She started out as an imagery analyst for the...

Future Space Economy Series: Computing Power in Space

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's modern global economy runs on data, and the world's most successful industries and organizations are defined by the speed and efficiency in wh...

Boeing's Michelle Parker on the Evolving Landscape of Satellite Manufacturing

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Michelle Parker recently took on a new role as vice president of Space Mission Systems at Boeing. After restructuring Boeing Defense, Space & Securi...

Future Space Economy Series: Business Models in Space

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this webcast, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Business Operations Casey Swails is joined by speakers from Voyager Space, Spaceflight, Loft ...

Satellite in the Wild: How the Smithsonian and Iridium Track Animals from Space

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most exciting things about the satellite industry is exploring how satellite can be used to improve life on Earth. Iridium and the Smithson...

Future Space Economy Series: Infrastructure for a New Frontier

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The second episode of On Orbit's Future Space Economy webcast features Sidus Space Founder and CEO Carol Craig, Kepler CEO Mina Mitry, Orbit Fab CDO J...

Can I Work in Space? Evona's Tom Kelly on Expanding the Sector Workforce

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The space industry is in a race for talent, to hire bright and innovative people to propel companies forward to meet their bold growth projections. Wh...

Future Space Economy Series: The Next Giant Leap

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is the very first episode of the On Orbit Podcast's new "Future Space Economy" educational series – designed to educate audiences about the opp...

How Space Startups Score Seed Investment in a Crowded, Competitive Market

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A wave of capital investment has poured into new space companies over the past few years, as investors searched for the next big disruptive space tech...

Does the iPhone 14's Satellite Service Signal Stronger Space-Cellular Industry Relationships?

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The relationship between satellite operators and cellular wireless carriers has always been complicated, vacillating between being close business part...

Adventures in Paris: World Satellite Business Week Wrap-Up

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

World Satellite Business Week (WSBW) has wrapped up in Paris capping off what has been a very busy summer for the satellite industry. Via Satellite Ma...

Super-Charged Hyperspectral Satellite Imaging with Dan Katz, Orbital Sidekick

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of the On Orbit podcast, Orbital Sidekick Founder and CEO Dan Katz joins us to talk about the souped-up Global Hyperspectral Observa...

Super-Charged Hyperspectral Satellite Imaging with Dan Katz, Orbital Sidekick

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of the On Orbit podcast, Orbital Sidekick Founder and CEO Dan Katz joins us to talk about the souped-up Global Hyperspectral Observa...

Spaceflight's Curt Blake on the Future of Multi-Orbit Ridesharing

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Spaceflight has shipped its brand new fully integrated Sherpa-LTC orbital transfer vehicle to Cape Canaveral for launch on SpaceX's Falcon 9 and sign...

Cloud to Street Transforms Climate Change-Era Flood Insurance with Satellite Data

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

News coverage of extreme weather events and flooding has brought climate change to the forefront of public consciousness. As this flooding displaces a...

Can Europe's Newest Spaceports Turn the Continent into a Global Launch Hub?

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In order to have meaningful access to space to meet the demand for launch services, the world needs more spaceports and launch centers. British and Eu...

John Deere's Kiel Ronning Sees Data-Driven Solutions for Food Shortages

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Via Satellite's On Orbit Podcast, John Deere's Industry 4.0 lead Kiel Ronning joins us to talk about how his company is working to ...

US, UK, and Argentine Government End Users Outline What They Need from Commercial Partners

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this special episode of On Orbit, government satellite technology program directors from the United States, United Kingdom, and Argentina join us t...

Boosting Smallsats to Geostationary Orbit With GeoJump's Isa Fritz

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You may not realize it, but the distance between Low-Earth Orbit, where most small satellites reside, and Geostationary Orbit, where nearly all of the...

Startup Space Winner Dr. Luisa Buinhas of Vyoma Balances Building Tech and Building Her Business

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of On Orbit, we welcome the grand prize winner of the 2022 Startup Space entrepreneur pitch contest, Dr. Luisa Buinhas. She is the co-...

Why Argentina is Investing in a Future-Focused, Government-Supported Space Economy

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After a short break following the SATELLITE 2022 conference, Via Satellite's On Orbit podcast returns with a very special interview with two of Argent...

Space Gets Caught in the Crossfire of Russia's War on Ukraine

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia demolished the foundation of the world's geopolitical and financial structure by commencing a military invasion of Ukraine. T...

Asia's Satellite Bandwidth Market Prepares for a Post-COVID Rebound

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The overall global demand for satellite-connected applications has been steadily increasing during the past decade, and market researchers expect this...

Startup Space 2022 Entrepreneurs Battle for Million-Dollar Pitch Meeting

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of nine startup entrepreneurs will soon find themselves on a 30-minute pitch call with some of the most powerful investors in the space sector, in...

BryceTech's Carissa Christensen Shares the Science of Space Industry Soothsaying

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As more and more commercial space companies go public and their technologies become more entwined with other industries, the demand for accurate and d...

BryceTech's Carissa Christensen Shares the Science of Space Industry Soothsaying

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As more and more commercial space companies go public and their technologies become more entwined with other industries, the demand for accurate and d...

GSOA's Satellite Spectrum, Space Sustainability Mission Goes Global

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This past December, the CEO members of the EMEA Satellite Operators Association (ESOA) announced that the organization was changing its name to the G...

GSOA's Satellite Spectrum, Space Sustainability Mission Goes Global

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This past December, the CEO members of the EMEA Satellite Operators Association (ESOA) announced that the organization was changing its name to the G...

World-Renowned Physicist Dr. Michio Kaku Explains Our Future in Space

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The very first On Orbit podcast episode of 2022 features a discussion about the possibilities and challenges related to our future in space with one o...

Why Does the Space Industry Struggle with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace?

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are transforming the modern workplace culture to more accurately reflect the reality of its workfor...

Former Blue Origin President Rob Meyerson: Will Private Capital Fund Off-World Infrastructure?

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of On Orbit, C5 Capital's Rob Meyerson explains how private investors define "space infrastructure" both as physical constructs and in...

Taiwan's Space Startups are Creating a Global Sandbox for Low-Earth Orbit

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of On Orbit, we are joined by the second of our two Startup Space 2021 entrepreneur pitch event winners, TMY Technologies (TMYTek) Co-...

How Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo Caught the Space Bug

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This past September at the SATELLITE show, leaders from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service...