Manifest Space with Morgan Brennan

Carol Craig, Founder and CEO of Sidus Space, dives into the company’s impressive 400% stock surge and its pivotal role in the Missile Defense Agency's SHIELD program. She shares insights on the agility and vertical integration that set Sidus apart in the evolving defense landscape. Carol emphasizes the need for adaptive missile defense strategies and the importance of onboard AI for rapid intelligence. As commercial space and defense converge, she highlights the shift towards mid-sized satellites, promising exciting innovations on the horizon.

John Serafini, Founder and CEO of HawkEye 360, sheds light on tracking 'dark vessels'—ships that go off-grid in international waters. He discusses the strategic acquisition of Innovative Signal Analysis and how RF-sensing satellites operate to identify these vessels using various signals. Serafini also touches on the growing commercialization of signals intelligence and the role of AI in enhancing detection capabilities. With an eye on the future, he hints at the potential for an IPO and addresses the evolving competitive landscape in defense tech.

Will Marshall, Co-founder and CEO of Planet Labs, discusses the innovative use of AI in satellite imagery to enhance national security and economic monitoring. He highlights how their 200-satellite constellation analyzes data for real-time threat detection. The conversation explores potential space-based data centers and their advantages, alongside partnerships with Google and NVIDIA to pioneer computing in orbit. Marshall shares his vision for future energy sustainability by relocating heavy computing infrastructure off Earth.

Will Roper, CEO of Istari Digital and former Pentagon official, dives into groundbreaking developments like a moon dust battery designed in collaboration with Blue Origin. He details how AI facilitates this innovation by extracting heat from lunar regolith to generate energy. Roper also explains Istari's unique AI guardrails that promote creativity while minimizing errors. He discusses upcoming projects and the necessity of regulatory acceptance for AI in engineering, aiming for a transformative future in aerospace.

Morgan Brennan sits down with Dirk Wallinger, York Space Systems founder and CEO, on the latest episode of Manifest Space. They discuss the rapid shift in the role space plays in national security—and why supply chain resiliency is more important then ever, plus York’s role as a prime contractor for the U.S. government and who wins the next era of commercial and defense space.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this engaging discussion, Steve Altemus, CEO and co-founder of Intuitive Machines, shares insights on his company's ambitious plans following the $800 million acquisition of Lanteris. He envisions a 'Verizon from the Moon,' detailing a layered communications network that connects Earth, the moon, and Mars. Altemus also addresses the challenges posed by the government shutdown, shares lessons from past lunar landings, and highlights the growing importance of data services as future revenue drivers. Prepare for an exciting leap into lunar exploration!

Ashley Pilipiszyn, Founder and CEO of Besxar, is on a mission to manufacture semiconductors in space using autonomous 'fab ships.' She explains how the ultra-high vacuum of space can create ultra-pure wafers, potentially cutting costs significantly. Ashley shares insights about her origins at OpenAI and the inspiration behind Bexar’s innovative approach. The discussion also covers partnerships with SpaceX and the U.S. Navy, along with future plans for launches and the impact of space manufacturing on domestic chip supply chains.

Shey Sabripour, the visionary CEO of CesiumAstro, is shaping the future with advanced phased-array telecom systems, while Phillip Sarofim, CEO of Trousdale Ventures, focuses on investing in hard-tech for reindustrialization. Together, they discuss the critical role of connectivity in AI and defense, the shift in aerospace pricing models, and how CesiumAstro's tech will impact vehicles and robotics. They emphasize the urgency for reindustrialization amidst the new space race, highlighting the importance of a dual-use strategy for global innovation.

Dan Smoot, CEO of Vantor (formerly Maxar Intelligence), shares insights on the company’s bold transition to AI-powered geospatial software. He discusses the impressive 90% recurring revenue model and their new products, Raptor and Century. Smoot highlights how Vantor is integrating satellite data with AI to enhance defense and navigation, while also expanding their international customer base. The conversation touches on the convergence of commercial and defense technologies, showcasing the agility and strategic growth of Vantor in a changing market.

The global space economy has hit a record $613 billion, growing nearly 8% year over year. Morgan Brennan speaks with Space Foundation CEO Heather Pringle about what’s fueling the boom—like human spaceflight and national security initiatives such as Golden Dome. They also discuss investor enthusiasm, the role of AI, and why Pringle expects the sector to hit $1 trillion by 2032. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.