Satlyt, a startup co-founded by Rama Afullo, who previously worked at Google and SpaceX, has secured $8 million in seed funding to develop software that allows satellite operators to run AI workloads directly in orbit, improving efficiency and reducing costly data downlinks.
- Satlyt raised $8M seed funding for AI satellite software
- Software aims to create an open, multi-platform space computing ecosystem
- Pilot missions include NASA and space surveillance startup collaborations
What happened
Satlyt, a startup founded by Rama Afullo, a Kenyan American engineer with experience at Google Cloud and SpaceX Starlink, has raised $8 million in seed funding to develop AI software that runs directly on satellites. The company’s vision is to create an open software ecosystem that operates across satellites from multiple providers, akin to Android for smartphones, in contrast to closed systems like SpaceX’s.
Satlyt’s software has already been demonstrated on two space missions, reducing data transmission sizes significantly by processing AI workloads in orbit. The latest software will launch onboard a satellite built by Indian startup TakeMe2Space, involving three customers: NASA, Stellerian, a space surveillance startup, and TakeMe2Space itself. This launch highlights early commercial and government adoption of Satlyt’s technology.
Why it matters
Satellites typically depend on ground controllers for anomaly resolution and sensor data processing, resulting in costly and slow data downlinks. By enabling AI workloads to run directly on satellites, Satlyt’s approach cuts down on transmitted data and operational expenses, enhancing satellite efficiency and responsiveness.
With plans to build a shared satellite cloud computing platform spanning multiple satellites, Satlyt aims to transform satellites into managed revenue-generating computing services. This new model could accelerate widespread adoption of AI in space and disrupt existing paradigms by providing a flexible, platform-agnostic alternative to vertically integrated satellite providers.
What to watch next
Satlyt intends to demonstrate inter-satellite cloud capabilities in the coming year, aiming to enable shared computing resources across different satellites. Success here would mark a significant milestone toward a scalable cloud computing network in orbit accessible by multiple satellite operators and users.
Investor interest and partnerships, highlighted by backing from Houston-based Non Sibi Ventures and NASA collaboration, will be critical indicators of Satlyt’s market traction. The company’s ambition to be installed on 20% of satellites by the end of the decade will depend on expanding its customer base beyond initial government and startup pilots to mainstream satellite manufacturers.