Valley of Depth

John Serafini, CEO of Hawkeye 360, leads a company that maps radio-frequency emissions from space to reveal human activity. The conversation covers RF-listening satellites in three-satellite clusters, how RF ties to intent, detecting dark vessels and GPS jamming, fingerprinting emitters over time, and the data and software that form Hawkeye 360’s competitive edge.

In this lively discussion, Philip Johnston, CEO and founder of Starcloud, discusses the revolutionary idea of space-based data centers. He highlights how energy and water limitations on Earth are driving the need for off-planet compute solutions. Philip reveals the outcomes of running an NVIDIA H100 in orbit and dives into the economics of launching GPUs into space. He also addresses national security concerns regarding who will control future compute capacities, positioning Starcloud as a leader in this burgeoning field.

As more nations realize that space is no longer just a scientific domain but a foundation of economic power and national security, a new question is emerging: who will actually build the infrastructure that underpins it? Orbitworks believes the answer lies in sovereign capability: designed locally, manufactured locally, and operated with speed and control.Founded by Hamdullah Mohib, a former national security advisor and diplomat who spent years operating at the highest levels of geopolitics, Orbitworks sits at an unusual intersection of statecraft and space manufacturing. Based in Abu Dhabi, the company is building one of the region’s first commercial satellite manufacturing facilities and developing Altair, a native constellation designed to move beyond raw imagery and toward information-driven services for both sovereign and commercial customers.We discuss:How Orbitworks is building a commercial satellite industry from scratch in the UAEThe strategic logic behind flexible architectures over fixed hardwareHow the Middle East is positioning itself as a serious node in the global space economyWhat it takes to build talent, supply chains, and culture in a brand-new space ecosystem • Chapters •00:00 - Intro00:59 - Hamdullah's journey from government and geopolitics to space05:11 - What is Orbitworks?06:25 - Partnerships with Orbitworks08:43 - A joint venture09:40 - Partnering with Loft Orbital17:09 - Differences that founders experience in the Middle East21:26 - Altair constellation23:29 - Dual use commercial and government26:34 - Building a facility in KEZAD33:02 - Cultivating and nurturing talent34:30 - How the Middle East is thinking about space40:21 - Priorities of sovereign wealth funds42:33 - Lessons in leadership47:08 - Fundraising plans/goals48:47 - Hamdullah's vision for space in the Middle East50:46 - What excites Hamdullah the most about the space industry? • Show notes •Orbitwork’s website —https://www.orbitworks.space/Mo's socials — https://twitter.com/itsmoislamPayload’s socials — https://twitter.com/payloadspace / https://www.linkedin.com/company/payloadspaceIgnition’s socials — https://twitter.com/ignitionnuclear / https://www.linkedin.com/company/ignition-nuclear/Tectonic’s socials  — https://twitter.com/tectonicdefense / https://www.linkedin.com/company/tectonicdefense/Valley of Depth archive — Listen: https://pod.payloadspace.com/ • About us •Valley of Depth is a podcast about the technologies that matter — and the people building them. Brought to you by Arkaea Media, the team behind Payload (space), Ignition (nuclear energy), and Tectonic (defense tech), this show goes beyond headlines and hype. We talk to founders, investors, government officials, and military leaders shaping the future of national security and deep tech. From breakthrough science to strategic policy, we dive into the high-stakes decisions behind the world’s hardest technologies.Payload: www.payloadspace.comIgnition: www.ignition-news.comTectonic: www.tectonicdefense.com

Marc Berte, CEO of Overview Energy, is revolutionizing power generation with his expertise in aerospace and energy engineering. He discusses why space-based solar power is finally a feasible option, addressing rising energy demands and aging grid infrastructure. Marc explains the unique design of Overview's satellites that transmit energy via laser, which is safer than sunlight. He outlines the economic strategy to serve high-demand markets first and anticipates exciting applications from military bases to data centers.

In this engaging conversation, Kerry Wisnosky, CEO of Quantum Space and aerospace veteran, discusses the future of space maneuverability. He unveils the Ranger spacecraft, designed to operate for 15 years and shift orbits seamlessly. Wisnosky emphasizes the shift from disposable to reusable space assets, highlighting the strategic importance of in-orbit refueling. He also explores how Ranger could enhance missile defense and the significance of multimode propulsion as a game changer. With the growing demand for space infrastructure, Quantum is well-positioned to lead this transformation.

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) David “Abu” Nahom spent decades defending the American homeland, from commanding Alaska Command and the 11th Air Force to shaping Air Force budgets and strategy as the A8. Mike Dickey started his career in the original Strategic Defense Initiative, helped build the USSF and now advises companies and government leaders on the future of national security. Together, they unpack the realities behind Golden Dome: what it is, what it isn’t, and why it may be the most complex defense undertaking of our time.Inside the episode:Why homeland defense is no longer a Cold War problem and why threats across all domains demand a fundamentally new architectureWhat it actually takes to detect, track, and intercept advanced weapons, from ballistic missiles to hypersonics to low-observable cruise missilesHow command & control is the real bottleneck, and why BMC2 will define the success or failure of Golden DomeWhy integrating F-35s, space sensors, legacy radars, and new AI systems is a social-engineering challenge as much as a technical oneThe role of startups in a mission where “move fast and break things” collides with the reality of life-or-death stakesWhy public perception lags far behind the actual threat picture and what Americans get wrong about homeland defenseThe technologies on the horizon that could completely reshape missile defense in the next decade• Chapters •00:00 – Intro00:41 – David's and Mike's Backgrounds04:01 – How Elara Nova has grown since last episode05:17 – What makes Golden Dome different?08:00 – How exposed has the US been to missile threats?10:53 – What is the Golden Dome supposed to look like today?14:02 – Not reinventing the wheel16:38 – Capabilities of today and tomorrow23:00 – How new modes of launch change missile defense24:57 – Integrating new solutions with current systems27:15 – Golden Dome isn't a technology problem29:41 – How much does ego play into the social engineering challenge of the Golden Dome?32:47 – Unable to fail in this startup-driven golden age of space and defense tech36:11 – Risks of the Golden Dome budget ballooning39:29 – The deterrence calculus42:12 – How will Golden Dome interface with our allies44:20 – Exciting defense tech being developed or doesn’t exist yet46:29 – How putting weapons in space changes things48:13 – Golden Dome issues they wish were fixed today50:24 – What everyday Americans don't understand about the Golden Dome53:01 – Measurable outcomes that the Golden Dome works54:56 – What Mike and David do for fun• Show notes •Elara Nova’s website — https://elaranova.com/Mo's socials — https://twitter.com/itsmoislamPayload’s socials — https://twitter.com/payloadspace / https://www.linkedin.com/company/payloadspaceIgnition’s socials — https://twitter.com/ignitionnuclear /  https://www.linkedin.com/company/ignition-nuclear/Tectonic’s socials  — https://twitter.com/tectonicdefense / https://www.linkedin.com/company/tectonicdefense/Valley of Depth archive — Listen: https://pod.payloadspace.com/ • About us •Valley of Depth is a podcast about the technologies that matter — and the people building them. Brought to you by Arkaea Media, the team behind Payload (space), Ignition (nuclear energy), and Tectonic (defense tech), this show goes beyond headlines and hype. We talk to founders, investors, government officials, and military leaders shaping the future of national security and deep tech. From breakthrough science to strategic policy, we dive into the high-stakes decisions behind the world’s hardest technologies.Payload: www.payloadspace.comIgnition: www.ignition-news.comTectonic: www.tectonicdefense.com

Halen Mattison, Co-founder and CEO of General Galactic, left SpaceX to pursue a vision for advanced space propellant infrastructure. He discusses his innovative water electrolysis propulsion system, Genesis, which aims to deliver high efficiency using abundant resources. Halen highlights the industry's reluctance to adopt new technology, the importance of specific impulse for mission economics, and the potential of mobility services to support long-term lunar and Martian infrastructures. He envisions a future with refueling depots stretching from low Earth orbit to Mars.

Trevor Smith, founder and CEO of Atomic-6, builds deployable solar arrays (Lightwing) and composite MMOD shields (Space Armor) for space and defense. He talks about making fast, mass-manufacturable power for satellites and a RF-permeable shield that stops hypervelocity debris while keeping comms. Also covers manufacturing scale, cell-agnostic supply chains, and near-term flight milestones.

Austin Link, co-founder of Starfish Space and former Blue Origin engineer, delves into the revolutionary concept of on-orbit satellite servicing. He discusses the creation of Otter, an autonomous vehicle designed to dock with satellites for life-extension and disposal. Listeners learn about the challenges of recovering tumbling spacecraft and the balance of cost and value in the growing market for satellite servicing. Austin shares insights into future missions and the long-term vision for a sustainable space infrastructure, highlighting the importance of autonomy in this evolving field.

In this engaging discussion, Nicolaas Verheem, CEO of TRL11 and a pioneer in wireless video technology, explores the revolutionary potential of video in space. He highlights how video serves as the "missing sensor" in spacecraft, providing unparalleled insights for mission awareness, health monitoring, and enablement. Nicolaas shares lessons from early orbital missions, the importance of software over hardware for competitive advantage, and his vision for a future where every spacecraft has access to live video feeds. The conversation delves into transforming the space economy with cutting-edge edge computing and radiation-tolerant technology.