

Space Business Podcast
spacebusiness
Space is rapidly growing into an exciting ecosystem for business. In this podcast we hear from entrepreneurs, executives, investors and others about the many opportunities that exist. This podcast is produced by the Space Business Institute in partnership with the International Space University.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 22, 2025 • 1h 7min
#159 | SpaceX IPO | Aaron Burnett, Mach33
There has been a lot of recent talk about a potential SpaceX IPO. I sit down with Aaron Burnett, co-founder and CEO of Mach33, to discuss. Mach33 and Ark Invest collaborate on an open-sourced SpaceX financial model. Enjoy!
🕰️ Timestamps:
0:00 Podcast Intro
01:25 Episode Overview: SpaceX IPO and Business Model
03:07 Aaron Burnett
04:54 Understanding SpaceX's Businesses
09:31 Launch Business
17:51 Starlink
36:30 Margins, Cashflows and Valuation
43:54 Potential Future Business Lines
51:42 Mars and Long-Term Value
56:25 Potential Tail Risks
1:01:30 When to Sell?
🔗 SpaceX model by Ark Invest & Mach33: https://github.com/ARKInvest/ARK-Invest-Mach-33-SpaceX-Valuation-Model
🔗 Mach33 website: https://www.33fg.com/
🔗 Follow us:
🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/
🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/
🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast
🔗 Follow Raphael:
◇ Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC
🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen
🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/
To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy:
"To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy
This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities.
📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC
This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments.
🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-
Space Founder Newsletter
A new newsletter with opportunities for space startup founders. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/JCUq92vERtxsuYnF8
Space Business Newsletter
📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/

Dec 16, 2025 • 48min
#158 | Optical Comms As-a-Service | Jordan Vannitsen, Odysseus Space
Space lasers again! Odysseus Space from Luxembourg focuses on providing optical communications solutions between Space and Earth as a service. If you seem to notice that is not the first episode on optical communications, you’re right – I think this will be a potentially very big theme going forward. Our guest this week is Odysseus’ CEO & Co-Founder Jordan Vannitsen. Enjoy!
🕰️ Timestamps:
0:00 Podcast Intro
01:14 Elevator Pitch
02:44 Optical Communications
07:02 Business Model
13:09 Interoperability and Integration
15:17 Space-to-Ground Communication Architectures
18:41 Security and Geopolitical Considerations
22:18 Future of Optical and RF Coexistence
24:10 Challenges in Optical and Radio Communication
26:44 Satellite Requirements
32:05 Marketing and Business Development
34:05 Commercial Operations and Ground Stations
38:57 Future Plans
40:20 Luxembourg's Space Ecosystem
42:35 Origin Story
44:59 Closing: What else in Space? & Favorite Science-Fiction
🔗 Odysseus Space
🏠Website : https://www.odysseus.space/home
🔗 Follow us:
🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/
🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/
🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast
🔗 Follow Raphael:
◇ Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC
🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen
🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/
To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy:
"To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy
This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities.
📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC
This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments.
🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-
Space Founder Newsletter
A new newsletter with opportunities for space startup founders. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/JCUq92vERtxsuYnF8
Space Business Newsletter
📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
Dec 8, 2025 • 42min
#157 | Keeping Satellites Stable | Alessandro Stabile, Magma Space
Magma Space is a U.S. startup with advanced technology to help keep satellites stable / jitter-free, which is more important to satellite communications and remote sensing than you may realize. We have Magma's CEO & Co-Founder Alessandro Stabile as our guest to help explain.
🕰️ Timestamps:
0:00 Podcast Intro
02:02 Elevator Pitch
04:31 Markets & Customers
10:11 Origin Story
15:50 Technology
21:46 Superconducting Materials in Space
22:35 Magnetic Levitation and Shielding
23:55 Testing and TRL Levels
24:35 Future Applications and Challenges
27:27 Scaling Production
28:22 Magnets
30:08 Vision for the Future of Space Technology
35:39 Orbital Edge Accelerator experience
37:42 DC Space Ecosystem
39:31 Science Fiction
🔗 Magma Space
🏠Website : https://www.magma-space.com/
🔗 Follow us:
🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/
🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/
🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast
🔗 Follow Raphael:
◇ Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC
🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen
🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/
To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy:
"To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy
This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities.
📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC
This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments.
🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-
Space Founder Newsletter
A new newsletter with opportunities for space startup founders. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/JCUq92vERtxsuYnF8
Space Business Newsletter
📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
Nov 28, 2025 • 54min
#156 | Hyperspectral Earth Intelligence | Awais Ahmed, Pixxel
Pixxel is a prominent earth observation startup originally from India and now present in the U.S., too. They are focused on so-called hyperspectral imaging. CEO & Co-Founder Awais Ahmed is our guest.
🕰️ Timestamps:
0:00 Podcast Intro
01:23 Elevator Pitch
03:32 Origin Story
07:51 Hyperspectral Imaging
09:54 Market Demand and Use Cases
18:25 Hyperspectral vs. Multispectral
22:07 Pixxel's Satellites
31:28 Data Cube and Onboard Processing
34:38 Machine Learning in Orbit
36:06 Current and Future Satellite Deployments
38:40 Beyond Hyperspectral
39:34 Future of Earth Observation
46:43 Entrepreneurial Lessons and Industry Insights
50:32 The Indian Space Ecosystem
52:19 Science Fiction Favorites
🔗 Pixxel
🏠Website : https://www.pixxel.space/
🔗 Follow us:
🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/
🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/
🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast
🔗 Follow Raphael:
◇ Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC
🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen
🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/
To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy:
"To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy
This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities.
📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC
This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments.
🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-
Space Business Newsletter
📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
Nov 18, 2025 • 39min
#155 | Real-time Geospatial Intelligence | Michael Bartholomeusz, Novi Space
How can you get real-time intelligence from space rapidly and cheaply? Novi Space is a startup from Virginia that uses its own hardware and on-orbit edge processing to do just that. Their CEO Michael Bartholomeusz is our guest this week.
🕰️ Timestamps:
0:00 Podcast Intro
01:33 Elevator Pitch
02:50 Real-Time Intelligence and Use Cases
06:02 Technical Details
12:02 Commercial and Defense Applications
18:33 Low Latency
19:09 Cost Reduction and Democratization of Geospatial Intelligence
20:00 Innovative Use Cases and Market Disruption
23:33 Space Data Centers
25:47 Novi's Satellite Constellation
31:37 Developing a Space-Based App Ecosystem
36:35 Future Vision & Closing Thoughts
🔗 Novi Space
🏠Website : https://www.novispace.ai
🔗 Follow us:
🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/
🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/
🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast
🔗 Follow Raphael:
◇ Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC
🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen
🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/
To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy:
"To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy
This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities.
📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC
This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments.
🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-
Space Business Newsletter
📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
Nov 10, 2025 • 52min
#154 | Optical Communications | JF Morizur, Cailabs
JF Morizur, Founder and CEO of Cailabs, explores the revolutionary potential of optical communications for space-to-Earth links. He discusses how these laser-based connections outperform traditional radio links in security and bandwidth. Morizur elaborates on the challenges of atmospheric interference and the innovative solutions Cailabs is developing to harness tight beams effectively. He also highlights the growing demand for optical tech in defense and Earth observation, and envisions a future where hybrid architectures will dominate the landscape.
Nov 3, 2025 • 47min
#153 | Earth Intelligence| Prateep Basu, SatSure
SatSure is an Earth intelligence company from India, processing satellite imagery to generate insights for various industry verticals. Co-founder and CEO Prateep Basu is our guest. Enjoy!
🕰️ Timestamps:
00:00 Podcast Introduction
01:10 Elevator Pitch
02:51 Non-Defense Markets
05:22 Market Education
08:27 Market Verticals
16:47 SatSure's Product
19:46 Satellite Data
23:43 Future Proprietary Data
24:15 Investments and Gaps in Earth Observation Capabilities
25:11 Sensor Diversity and Data Harmonization
26:50 Government Influence and Market Dynamics
28:49 Hyperspectral Data and Market Challenges
30:54 Space Data Explosion and Onboard Computing
32:28 Downlinking Challenges
33:35 Business Model and Market Strategy
37:09 Future of Earth Observation
41:54 SatSure's Vision and Indian Space Ecosystem
44:35 Closing: Other Opportunities in Space & Science Fiction
🔗 SatSure
🏠Website : https://www.satsure.co/
🔗 Follow us:
🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/
🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/
🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast
🔗 Follow Raphael:
◇ Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC
🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen
🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/
To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy:
"To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy
This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities.
📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC
This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments.
🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-
Space Business Newsletter
📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
Oct 27, 2025 • 47min
#152 | Space Robots | Ethan Barajas & Jamie Palmer, Icarus Robotics
SPACE ROBOTS! We are are talking about this exciting topic again in this episode. Icarus Robotics is a NY-based space robotics start up that just raised its $6M seed financing round. Co-founders Ethan Barajas and Jamie Palmer are our guests.
🕰️ Timestamps:
00:00 Podcast introduction
01:33 Elevator Pitch
02:56 Role of Robots in Space Stations
05:42 Challenges and Innovations in Space Robotics
12:22 Future of Space Robotics and Competition
24:16 Training for Space Missions
24:42 Robots in Space Exploration
25:38 Business Opportunities in Space
26:43 Low Earth Orbit Innovations
32:10 Prototyping and Testing Robots
36:05 Future of Robotic Labor in Space
38:41 Founders' Backgrounds and Inspirations
42:56 Favorite Robots in Science Fiction
🔗 Icarus Robotics
🏠Website : https://www.icarusrobotics.com/
🔗 Follow us:
🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/
🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/
🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast
🔗 Follow Raphael:
◇ Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC
🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen
🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/
To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy:
"To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy
This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities.
📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC
This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments.
🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-
Space Business Newsletter
📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
Oct 20, 2025 • 41min
#151 | Advanced Composites | Trevor Smith, Atomic-6
Atomic-6 is an advanced composites solutions manufacturer providing products such as satellite solar arrays and Space Armor(TM), based in Atlanta. Founder & CEO Trevor Smith is our guest this week.
🕰️ Timestamps:
00:00 Podcast Intro
02:02 Elevator Pitch on Atomic-6
02:43 The Advantages of Composites in Space
04:00 From Real Estate to Advanced Composites: Trevor's Journey
04:14 The Birth of Atomic-6: From Tequila to Technology
08:40 Finding the Right Market: Space and Defense
13:49 Innovative Products: Space Armor and Solar Arrays
21:24 Customer Requirements for Solar Arrays
22:52 Challenges of Scaling Production
25:25 Space Armor
31:42 Future Milestones
35:30 Atlanta Space Ecosystem
36:55 What else is interesting in Commercial Space
39:58 Science Fiction
🔗 Atomic-6
🏠Website : https://www.atomic-6.com/
🎤 Trevor's podcast on Atomic-6 YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@atomic6_composites/podcasts
🔗 Follow us:
🏠Website : https://www.e2mc.space/
🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-business-podcast/
🌐Socials: https://linktr.ee/spacebusinesspodcast
🔗 Follow Raphael:
◇ Twitter/X - https://x.com/RaphaelE2MC
🔷LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelroettgen
🌐Instagram - https://instagram.com/raphael_space/
To Learn more about Space & the Space Economy:
"To Infinity" – Raphael’s Revised Introduction to the Space Economy
This book provides an insightful look into the space economy, its current trends, and future opportunities.
📚 https://a.co/d/6jIQ2LO
edX/EPFL's Space Economy MOOC
This course offers a detailed understanding of the New Space Economy, covering key concepts and market developments.
🎓 https://www.edx.org/course/new-space-
Space Business Newsletter
📬 https://spacebusiness.substack.com/
15 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 41min
#150 | Methane Monitoring | Daria Stepanova, Airmo
Daria Stepanova, Founder and CEO of Airmo, is pioneering methane monitoring through cutting-edge LiDAR technology. She discusses the urgent need for transparency in greenhouse gas emissions and how Airmo's instruments can detect minute leaks. The conversation shifts to the shift from aerial to satellite monitoring and the implications of regulations on energy sector reporting. Daria also shares insights into the future of remote sensing, exploring commercial applications and exciting possibilities while emphasizing collaborations in the evolving space sector.


