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Eye of the Dragon: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Balerion Space Ventures
Space and defense tech companies hosted by Balerion Space Ventures balerionspace.substack.com
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- 4 days ago46 min
BSV Podcast 0192: Orbital Robotics
Balerion Principal Aidan Daoussis sits down with Aaron Borger, Co-Founder & CEO of Orbital Robotics, to discuss satellite servicing. The company is developing robotic arms and autonomy software to capture, refuel, upgrade, and reposition satellites. The conversation covers spacecraft manipulation, defense applications, modular satellite design, and planned demonstrations aboard the International Space Station.00:00 – Introducing Orbital Robotics and its focus on satellite servicing01:33 – Aaron’s background, student robotics missions, Blue Origin, and satellite-servicing research03:52 – Capturing a tumbling satellite and replacing a propulsion module with two robotic arms05:36 – Launch loads, vacuum, radiation, and the coupled motion of spacecraft and robotic arms07:44 – Deep reinforcement learning, simulation-based training, and conventional collision avoidance10:57 – Modular satellites, component upgrades, debris removal, and repairable spacecraft14:06 – Defense demand for refueling, maneuverability, and orbital deterrence17:17 – Orbital data centers, launch access, and priorities for replacing propulsion and compute22:20 – Control algorithms, sensor data, and the potential growth of the servicing market25:24 – Recurring servicing contracts, fuel limitations, and propulsion partnerships29:39 – Learning from mission failures and planned capture experiments using ISS Astrobee robots33:49 – Hubble servicing concepts and partnerships with spacecraft providers38:15 – Hardware progress, $1.1 million in funding, flight heritage, and the service business model41:34 – Longer-term applications in orbital construction, space stations, and lunar infrastructure45:19 – Closing takeaway: demonstrating servicing capabilities to support modular satellite adoption This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit balerionspace.substack.com
- 5 days ago55 min
BSV Podcast 0191: OuSoCo
Balerion Principal Aidan Daoussis sits down with Karl-Georg Schlesinger, Co-Founder & CEO of OuSoCo, to discuss nuclear asteroid relocation. OuSoCo is developing a concept to redirect metal-rich asteroids into cislunar space using fusion energy, while strengthening their iron-nickel material for construction. The conversation covers CERN meteorite experiments, a proposed digital twin for validating the process, and the commercial and regulatory requirements for supplying construction materials in space.00:00 – Introduction to OuSoCo and its concept for relocating metal-rich asteroids into cislunar space01:54 – Schlesinger’s theoretical physics background, deep tech diligence experience, and co-founding of Marvel Fusion05:24 – Why OuSoCo targets bulk construction materials for use in space rather than precious metals for Earth07:32 – Proposed mission sequence: asteroid selection, reconnaissance, equipment delivery, and nuclear redirection10:32 – Combining asteroid relocation with material strengthening, followed by robotic cutting and partner-led construction13:12 – Potential customers, orbital infrastructure applications, and the economics of launching steel from Earth15:10 – CERN experiments using proton pulses on meteorite samples to study energy transfer and changes in material strength18:52 – Developing an experimentally validated digital twin, with a proposed five-to-seven-year research timeline24:47 – External dependencies, future experimental facilities, and launch constraints for large orbital data centers29:57 – Commercial bottlenecks, customer ecosystem development, and remaining research risk32:55 – Government approvals, regulatory uncertainty, and independent verification of asteroid trajectories38:06 – Initial 100-meter asteroid concept, equipment requirements, and tuning fusion output to preserve the resource44:14 – Broader propulsion applications, misuse concerns, trajectory monitoring, and proposed emergency deflection measures50:30 – Planetary defense applications and a potential nuclear deflection demonstration mission53:08 – Closing perspective on nuclear energy, scalable space infrastructure, and the path from research to a business This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit balerionspace.substack.com
- 1 weeks ago53 min
BSV Podcast 0190: Solstar Space
Balerion Principal Aidan Daoussis sits down with Brian Barnett, Founder & CEO of Solstar Space, to discuss spacecraft connectivity. Solstar builds communications terminals that connect spacecraft to existing satellite networks and provide onboard Wi-Fi for instruments, payloads, and other devices. The conversation covers flight demonstrations, the company’s hardware and subscription model, and communications requirements for orbital operations and lunar infrastructure.00:00 – Introduction to Solstar and its spacecraft connectivity terminals02:43 – Adapting Wi-Fi for radiation, extreme temperatures, and orbital communications05:37 – Connecting onboard devices and using existing satellite constellations to reach Earth08:57 – Reliability, flight heritage, and NASA’s rendezvous and proximity operations demonstration12:05 – Ground testing, spacecraft integration, and validating two-way communications in orbit17:06 – Barnett’s background in drumming, microgravity research, and NASA operations22:48 – Deke Slayton, commercial space consulting, and the founding of SatWest27:34 – Early connectivity demonstrations, Blue Origin flights, and Solstar’s formation30:13 – Commercialization, government customers, and development of broadband capabilities35:13 – Lunar networking, remote troubleshooting, and environmental requirements39:30 – Solstar’s addressable market estimate and recurring data subscription model41:56 – Applications in microgravity research, orbital computing, and manufacturing47:28 – Commercial space development and the role of private capital52:55 – Closing remarks This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit balerionspace.substack.com
- 1 weeks ago57 min
BSV Podcast 0189: Wardstone
Balerion Principal Aidan Daoussis sits down with Sebastian Fischer, Co-founder & CEO of Wardstone, to discuss the missing middle of air defense. Wardstone is developing modular surface-to-air interceptors for threats such as larger uncrewed aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles. Fischer explains how compatibility with existing launchers and higher production volumes could help defenders counter large numbers of lower-cost threats.00:00 – Introduction and Wardstone’s focus on the missing middle of air defense05:21 – Fischer’s aerospace and robotics background and the origins of Wardstone09:53 – Evaluating space-based missile defense before pursuing ground-launched interceptors13:56 – Interceptor size, compatibility with existing launchers, and ready-to-fire inventory15:56 – How engagements work, from tracking and guidance to hit-to-kill intercepts20:02 – Flight testing, hardware-in-the-loop simulation, and testing failure modes24:58 – Modular interceptor design and adapting to evolving threats31:10 – Where Wardstone is innovating and where it uses existing technology35:02 – Early development milestones and the logistics of finding a test range40:28 – Army xTech and how competitions give startups a path to military customers43:22 – What resonates with investors and why the missing middle is harder to enter47:00 – Deterrence through production capacity and distributed interceptor stockpiles50:03 – The broader air-defense kill chain and what Wardstone plans to build in-house54:06 – Fischer’s closing case for lower-cost interceptors and higher production capacity56:44 – Closing remarks This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit balerionspace.substack.com
- 1 weeks ago58 min
BSV Podcast 0188: Deployable Energy
Balerion Principal Aidan Daoussis sits down with Richard Gaut, CFO of Deployable Energy, to discuss microreactors and commercial deployment. Deployable Energy is developing a microreactor designed to deliver one megawatt of electricity using conventional low-enriched uranium fuel, with a containerized nuclear island exchanged every five years. The conversation covers its criticality demonstration, engineering and licensing work toward commercial deployment, and applications in diesel displacement, port electrification, and maritime power.00:00 – Introduction to Deployable Energy and its criticality milestone01:58 – Founding team, existing supply chains, and the 155-day path to criticality04:28 – Reactor dimensions, three-megawatt thermal design, and potential uses for waste heat07:17 – The nuclear battery model: five-year core exchanges, containerized installation, and scaling with multiple units12:59 – Choosing conventional low-enriched uranium to reduce supply chain dependencies14:50 – Bootstrapping development and collaborating with Idaho National Laboratory on criticality testing22:39 – Moving from a criticality experiment to a commercial product: power conversion and engineering challenges25:25 – Target markets: remote diesel generation, islanded grids, ports, and power barges30:55 – Commercial interest, NRC pre-application work, and the proposed Part 57 licensing framework33:36 – Naval reactor comparisons, recruiting Navy veterans, and maritime demonstration plans with Hornbeck Offshore39:46 – The commercial licensing path and applying oilfield delivery experience to nuclear deployment44:42 – Operating multiple reactors and building a field service workforce46:37 – Physical security, centralized spent fuel handling, and planned testing under abnormal conditions55:18 – Community engagement, public trust, and lessons from data center development57:35 – Closing perspective: delivering nuclear power as a manufactured product This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit balerionspace.substack.com
- 1 weeks ago51 min
BSV Podcast 0187: Blue Ocean Materials
Balerion Principal Aidan Daoussis sits down with Lucas Medal, Founder & CEO of Blue Ocean Materials, to discuss engineering plastics supply chains. The company is developing software-integrated distribution facilities to supply engineering and high-performance plastics to American manufacturers. Its approach combines digital ordering, inventory management, cutting, and fulfillment to reduce procurement delays and improve material availability for aerospace, medical, and semiconductor applications.00:00 – Introduction to Blue Ocean Materials and the domestic plastics supply chain02:20 – Procurement delays, limited inventory, and manual ordering processes04:32 – Commodity, engineering, and high-performance plastics and their applications08:39 – Founder background and lessons from developing locally manufactured spare parts12:00 – Material availability, minimum order quantities, and manufacturing economics15:24 – Plastics supply chain structure and software-integrated distribution20:25 – Early customer demand and plans for the first Southern California facility22:24 – Cutting services, material testing, and quality assurance24:59 – Secondary plastics markets and pricing inefficiencies26:35 – Discipulus and El Segundo’s hardware startup ecosystem33:07 – Founder mentorship, fundraising preparation, and communicating technical businesses37:43 – Digital procurement, API integration, and automated purchasing39:43 – Domestic manufacturing resilience and plans for upstream integration46:01 – Plastics consumption, waste management, and recycling49:32 – First-facility milestones, initial material focus, and nationwide expansion plans This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit balerionspace.substack.com
- 2 weeks ago50 min
BSV Podcast 0186: LESATH International
Balerion Principal Aidan Daoussis sits down with Thomas Pawlak III, Founder & CEO, and Alexander Taleb, Co-Founder & CTO of LESATH International, to discuss launch. LESATH is developing Scorpius 1, a partially reusable, methane–oxygen launch vehicle targeting 1,500–1,700 kilograms to low Earth orbit, depending on altitude and inclination. The discussion covers return-to-launch-site recovery, propulsion development, and the company’s approach to providing dedicated orbital delivery with shorter wait times.00:00 – Introduction to LESATH International and its target satellite market04:19 – Company origins and the case for a dedicated launcher between existing vehicle classes09:11 – Launch availability, growing satellite demand, and the founders’ industry outlook12:20 – Scorpius 1 architecture: reusable first stage, expendable upper stage, and common engine design17:03 – Evaluating launch sites on the East Coast, West Coast, and internationally19:53 – Building versus buying components and adapting manufacturing as operations scale23:28 – Choosing methane–oxygen propulsion to support reuse and reduce refurbishment28:55 – Investor questions, market differentiation, partnerships, and risk management33:38 – Manufacturing challenges, turbopump development, and early hardware testing39:15 – Customer priorities: launch scheduling, price, and delivery to the desired orbit42:05 – Lessons exchanged between the CEO and CTO43:55 – Demonstrating technical capability with limited capital and iterative test hardware46:29 – Business implications of achieving a lower launch cadence than planned47:41 – Target milestones for engine development, full-size tanks, and test hardware49:36 – Closing remarks This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit balerionspace.substack.com
- 2 weeks ago56 min
BSV Podcast 0185: Interorbital Systems
Balerion Principal Aidan Daoussis sits down with Randa Milliron, CEO & Co-founder of Interorbital Systems, to discuss containerized orbital launch. Interorbital is developing Neptune 100, a three-stage launch vehicle designed to deliver 100 kilograms to low Earth orbit for under $1 million using storable liquid propellants and a containerized launch system. Milliron discusses the company’s development history, satellite-kit business, planned orbital demonstrations, and approach to reducing launch infrastructure and manufacturing costs.00:00 – Introduction to Interorbital Systems, its low-cost launch goals, and storable liquid propellants03:50 – Company origins, early engine development, and the emergence of commercial spaceflight08:59 – Neptune 100’s payload and pricing targets, satellite products, and planned flight demonstrations12:49 – Containerized launch architecture, rapid-response operations, and initial flight testing17:45 – Satellite customers, academic pricing, rideshare plans, and larger launch vehicle ambitions19:44 – Mojave’s amateur rocketry community and its role in building the commercial space industry28:09 – Lunar transportation goals, technical collaborators, and the company’s small-team development model32:20 – Neptune 100’s configuration and proposed missile and counter-drone products34:12 – Development lessons, self-funding tradeoffs, and fundraising for a factory and orbital launches36:58 – Commercial launch demand, defense markets, and proposed on-orbit propulsion applications41:14 – Launch-site constraints, inland spaceport proposals, and distributed launch capability44:49 – Floating ocean launch concepts and Interorbital’s commercial launch licensing history49:33 – Government facility costs and barriers facing commercial launch providers52:28 – Military adoption of commercial systems, demonstration flights, and manufacturability55:15 – Closing perspective on commercial space investment, supply-chain alternatives, and STEM satellite access This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit balerionspace.substack.com
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Space and defense tech companies hosted by Balerion Space Ventures balerionspace.substack.com
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