A space startup called Basalt Technologies is making waves in the industry by embarking on an ambitious project: hacking into a defunct satellite to install its space-specific operating system (OS). With the owner’s permission, of course, Basalt aims to utilize the satellite as a platform to demonstrate the power and capabilities of its software-driven approach.
Basalt Technologies was founded by Alex Choi and Maximillian Bhatti, who initially met while working on a satellite project at MIT. After parting ways and gaining valuable experience in the aerospace industry, Choi and Bhatti reunified to establish Basalt in 2023. The startup aims to address the challenges faced by legacy hardware and software in space missions.
Traditionally, the space industry relied on custom software development to maximize the hardware utility of individual components for each mission. However, with the rise of constellation-based spacecraft and the commoditization of space hardware, the need for customizable software has become increasingly impractical. Basalt recognizes this industry shift and is building an OS called Dispatch to resolve the software inefficiencies.
Dispatch is a simulation-based control system that allows software to be portable across different hardware, similar to running Windows on laptops built by various manufacturers. This software-defined approach enables satellite operators to coordinate tasks, repurpose on-orbit assets, and enhance operational flexibility. For example, in the case of a security crisis, a national security customer could reassign a satellite to conduct non-Earth imaging or Earth imaging based on the situation on the ground.
Basalt’s innovative approach has caught the attention of Initialized Capital, a venture capital firm that led the startup’s recent $3.5 million seed funding round. Initialized Capital recognizes the potential of Basalt’s software-defined OS and its ability to unlock new possibilities in the space industry. Other notable participants in the funding round include Y Combinator, Liquid2, and General Catalyst.
To validate their technology, Basalt plans to hack into a defunct satellite, recover it, and perform orbital flights during the summer. This crucial test will demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of Basalt’s space-specific OS. The company is also actively engaged in discussions with ten missions, including both spacecraft in development and hardware already in orbit.
By capitalizing on the growing demand for software-defined missions and leveraging their innovative OS, Basalt aims to revolutionize the space industry. With its portable software and operational flexibility, Basalt’s technology has the potential to reshape the way we approach satellite missions and enhance the efficiency and capabilities of space exploration.
Referências:
Basalt plans to ‘hack’ a defunct satellite to install its space-specific OS
Basalt plans to “hack” a defunct satellite to install its space-specific OS
Basalt plans to “hack” a defunct satellite to install its space-specific OS
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