Founders in Arms

Manufacturing in Low Earth Orbit with Delian Asparouhov, Co-Founder of Varda Space Industries

Jan 10, 2024

Delian Asparouhov, Co-Founder of Varda Space Industries, discusses the potential of space manufacturing, economic incentives for human presence in space, pharmaceutical applications, market potential, and the challenges of atmospheric reentry. The conversation provides insights into the future of space tech entrepreneurship and the innovative opportunities in space manufacturing.

01:07:50

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Episode guests

Delian Asparouhov

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Space manufacturing offers improved drug manufacturing processes in microgravity for the pharmaceutical industry.

Delian's background in venture capital brings a commercial mindset to space technology entrepreneurship.

Overcoming the re-entry challenge is crucial for the success of space manufacturing companies like Varda.

Deep dives

Space manufacturing and the pharmaceutical industry

Space manufacturing is a promising field for the pharmaceutical industry. The ability to produce drugs in space, utilizing the unique microgravity environment, offers opportunities for improved drug manufacturing processes. Merck, a renowned pharmaceutical company, conducted an experiment on the International Space Station and achieved remarkable results. The microgravity environment allowed for the production of drugs with uniform crystal structures, enhancing their efficacy and predictability. This breakthrough has significant implications for drug stability, dosage, and patient experience. The space manufacturing sector aims to leverage these advantages to revolutionize drug manufacturing and distribution.

Introduction

2min

Venturing into Space Innovation and Entrepreneurship

14min

Exploring Microgravity Manufacturing in Space

24min

Financial Strategies and Scaling Up Production in Aerospace Industry

2min

Exploring the Viability of Manufacturing High-Value Products in Space

19min

Envisioning Comfort and Mobility in Future Space Living

2min

Innovative Applications of Low Earth Orbit Manufacturing

5min

In this episode, Immad and Raj interview Delian Asparouhov, a Partner at Founders Fund and the Co-Founder of the space-manufacturing startup Varda. Delian shares his insights on the potential of space manufacturing and how overcoming the difficult challenge of atmospheric reentry will be the key to opening manufacturing in orbit. Delian's background in venture capital brings a commercial mindset to the field of aerospace, offering a fresh perspective on space technology. The conversation provides a deep look into what the future of the space tech industry holds for entrepreneurs and the world at large.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:10 - Delian's path from VC to Space Tech

00:08:25 - The Advantages of VC Experience in Aerospace

00:10:12 - Economic Incentives for Human Presence in Space

00:12:19 - Industrializating Outer Space

00:16:09 - Manufacturing and Micro-Gravity