Founders in Arms Pre-Selling Your Way to Space with Topher Haddad (Albedo)
Jun 20, 2025
Topher Haddad, co-founder and CEO of Albedo, discusses the groundbreaking world of Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellites. He reveals how these satellites, operating at 275 km, achieve high-resolution imagery that outperforms traditional aircraft and drones. Haddad shares the engineering challenges posed by atmospheric drag and atomic oxygen. He also outlines his journey from Lockheed Martin to a successful startup, securing millions through pre-sales while navigating the complexities of defense technology sales in today's market.
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$1M Satellite Launch Feasible Now
- Launching a small satellite can be done in a few months with about $1 million budget.
- Using off-the-shelf microsat components and finding a SpaceX launch slot makes this possible today.
Very Low Earth Orbit Advantage
- Albedo's satellites fly at 275 km altitude in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), twice closer than typical LEO satellites.
- This proximity enables much higher image resolution comparable to planes and drones.
VLEO's Unique Engineering Challenges
- Flying satellites in VLEO introduces high atmospheric drag and atomic oxygen damage.
- Albedo designs aerodynamically efficient, heavy satellites with body-mounted solar panels to reduce drag and extend lifetime.
