The Techne Connect

In this episode of Connect to Orbit: Visionaries, we speak with Mark Keremedjiev, CEO & Co-Founder of Orbital Sentry.Mark shares his journey from studying astrophysics at Cornell and building infrared cameras for black hole research, to working within the US intelligence community on advanced satellite programmes, before moving into the commercial space sector with Planet.Now, as the founder of Orbital Sentry, Mark is building a new approach to Earth observation, focused on delivering persistent, real-time data from geosynchronous orbit.We explore:Why current Earth observation systems struggle to provide timely dataThe challenges of monitoring rapidly changing events from spaceHow Orbital Sentry plans to support defence, wildfire detection and commercial applicationsWhy successful space companies need to solve customer problems, not only build impressive technologyThe lessons Mark has taken from government, startups and building a company from the ground upWhat the next 3–5 years could look like for the space industryA conversation about entrepreneurship, space innovation and building the infrastructure needed for the next era of Earth intelligence.

The next generation of space infrastructure could be built much closer to Earth.In the latest episode of TECHNE Connect to Visionaries, we sit down with Steven P. Shepard, Co-Founder and CEO of Vaxon Space, to discuss the future of very low Earth orbit (VLEO) and why this emerging orbital regime could transform satellite technology.Steven shares his journey from working on advanced space programmes at Lockheed Martin to founding Vaxon Space and building satellites designed to operate in one of the most challenging environments in orbit.We discuss:- Why very low Earth orbit has remained largely unexplored- How Vaxon Space is overcoming the challenges of atmospheric drag and atomic oxygen- Why air-breathing propulsion could change the future of satellite operations-The applications VLEO could unlock across defence, imaging, AI and telecommunications- Steven’s journey from aerospace engineer to founderThis is a conversation about pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology and building the next generation of space capabilities.

Gerry Vannuffelen left a global head of robotics role at one of the world's largest automation OEMs to found Mantis Robotics, betting that robots could work alongside people without cages, fences, or dedicated specialists to deploy them.In this episode, he unpacks the technology behind that bet: a "nervous system" for robotics that gives any robot the reflexes to operate safely in the real world, not just the lab.Gerry talks candidly about the jump from corporate comfort back into startup uncertainty, why most robotics ventures fail by chasing technology instead of a real problem, and why the humanoid hype cycle matters less than people think. It's a conversation about physical AI, safety certification, and what it actually takes to keep choosing entrepreneurship.

In this episode of Connect to Visionaries, we speak with Mitchell Fogelson, Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Reach Labs, about the future of large-scale infrastructure in space.Mitchell shares his journey from mechanical engineering and robotics research through iRobot, robotics innovation in Japan, and a NASA-funded PhD at Carnegie Mellon University, which led to the creation of Beyond Reach Labs.The company is developing deployable solar arrays designed to scale from the size of a dining table to the size of a football field in orbit, helping power the growing space services industry.We explore: • Why scalable space infrastructure is becoming critical as commercial space expands • The engineering challenges behind building large deployable structures in orbit • How Beyond Reach Labs is moving from research concepts into real-world space applications • Mitchell’s experience building a deep-tech startup through Y Combinator • The lessons learned from entrepreneurship, failure and finding the right team • Why the future of space will require interdisciplinary engineers and buildersA conversation about engineering ambition, entrepreneurship and the infrastructure needed to unlock the next era of space exploration.

In this episode of TECHNE Connect to Flight, Tom Sloan sits down with Phillip Gomez, VP of Product and Defense Systems at MagLev Aero, to explore his journey through aerospace and defence. Phillip shares how early experience at startup AVX Aircraft, followed by seven years at Bell, shaped his technical expertise, leadership approach and understanding of the full aircraft development lifecycle.The conversation also explores the changing aerospace landscape, from the rise of new defence players and the challenges facing the eVTOL market to the role of hybrid propulsion and emerging technologies. Phillip discusses MagLev Aero’s mission to develop breakthrough propulsion systems using magnetic levitation and electromagnetic control, the company’s plans for the next 12–24 months, and the skills it is looking for as it scales.

In this episode of TECHNE Connect, Joe Reed sits down with Leo Pauly, CEO & Co-Founder of Plasma Orbital, to discuss building the next generation of intelligent satellite systems.Leo shares his journey from electronics engineering and AI & robotics research into entrepreneurship, including the experiences that led him to create Plasma Orbital.Plasma Orbital is developing smart satellite networks with onboard AI capabilities designed to provide real-time satellite surveillance, beginning with maritime domain awareness.The conversation covers:Why current satellite imagery solutions struggle with real-time intelligenceHow AI-enabled satellites could transform maritime surveillanceBuilding a new category within the space industryThe challenges of founding a deep-tech companyLessons learned from previous startup attemptsThe future of the space economy and orbital infrastructureThe skills engineers need to help shape the next era of space technologyLeo also shares his perspective on why the future of space will not be a standalone industry, but an extension of industries already operating on Earth, creating new opportunities across defence, communications, manufacturing and beyond.A conversation about entrepreneurship, AI, satellites and building the infrastructure that will define the next generation of space.