And through it all spun the growing clutter of 29,000 bits of large debris, spent rocket bodies, and decommissioned spacecraft that make launch and orbital operations increasingly risky.
We researched, studied, listened, and learned.
We spent time absorbing knowledge and needs from astrophysicists, U.S. Space Force Guardians, satellite operators, and experts in fields ranging from launch, spacecraft engineering and near-earth imaging to digital communications and space-domain awareness.
As we listened, a common problem emerged: data practitioners and leaders find themselves working inordinately hard and long – with a risk of costly human error – to reliably process multidisciplinary data sources for critical, rapid decision-making.
The space industry and newly-spawned data sources are growing so fast as to outstrip industry participants’ abilities to keep up their own demands for clarity, safety, and decision support. And as they start to drown in data, they remain starved for insights.
So, Planetary Systems AI leaned in to meet the challenge:
PSAI joined the work at SDA TAP Lab in August, 2024
We joined the U.S. Space Force’s SDA TAP Lab‘s Apollo Accelerator at Space Systems Command – an extraordinary collaboration among dozens of private firms, government, and academia working on a system to track and identify threats to U.S. and allied assets in orbit.
Last fall, we developed AI methods there for reading large quantities of semi/unstructured text to populate the SDA TAP Lab’s Target Model Database (TMDB). Once populated with details about a satellite’s payloads, power, and propulsion systems, the TMDB can be used by USSF analysts to evaluate close approaches by potentially threatening spacecraft.
Over the winter, we have worked to expand these capabilities for the USSF over at Space Systems Command, with new developments that we will be announcing in a couple of weeks.
CEO Cindy Chin (front row, center) at the KPMG/Seraphim Accelerator event in London, October, 2024
We joined the Seraphim Space Accelerator, a leading, dedicated accelerator for startups in the global SpaceTech industry. Since 2018 the accelerator has been working with early-stage SpaceTech companies on a global scale. To date, supporting 109 companies across 30 countries, helping them raise over $540 million in funding for the first time. Seraphim remains dedicated to finding and supporting early-stage companies through every stage of their journey.
We are developing working partnerships with companies in satellite operations, radio-frequency security, and spacecraft hardware equipment testing.
We added two deeply experienced and valuable space domain experts to our board of advisors, Dr. Steve Crews (U.S. Army and U.S. Space Force, Ret’d.) and Eileen Vidrine, former U.S. Air Force Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer.
PSAI’s newest advisors, Steve Crews & Eileen Vidrine
And we are sharpening our larger AI toolset for the data-dense future we see taking shape in launch and orbital operations.
As the industry expands, data processing needs will balloon. As rocket companies like Blue Origin,, rise to compete with SpaceX, satellite operators like Turion Space offer bespoke near-earth imaging services, and firms like Blue Ring tool up to deliver on-orbit servicing for orbital industrial applications that are still taking shape, Planetary Systems AI will be there with critical data-management and decision-making infrastructure now under development.
We can’t wait to show you what we’re working on. In the meantime, check out our new website design and bookmark it for more news.
PSAI CEO Cindy Chin and Senior Architect Ian Douglas visit Turion Space in Irvine, CA
With the Turion Space team at Turion HQ in Irvine, CA
PSAI CTO Aaron Sloman and Aquarious Workman celebrate their birthdays
PSAI Team at SDA TAP Lab’s Cohort 5 Demo Day
Demonstrating our tech to Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess and the S4S command team
At the NYSE Space Summit with NYSE CTO Sridhar Masam and PSAI advisor Eileen Vidrine
Seraphim Space & Generation Space (USA) Accelerator Announces Mission 14 Cohort. The Accelerator reaches milestone figure with companies raising over $500m in funding as investor appetite grows.Seraphim Accelerator Mission 14 at KPMG London Offices
London and San Francisco, October 7, 2024: Seraphim Space, known as Generation Space in the U.S., which runs the leading, dedicated accelerator for startups in the global SpaceTech industry, announces the companies participating in Mission 14.
Since 2018 the accelerator has been working with early-stage SpaceTech companies on a global scale. To date, supporting 109 companies across 30 countries, helping them raise over $540 million in funding for the first time. Seraphim remains dedicated to finding and supporting early-stage companies through every stage of their journey. There have been many success stories from the alumni over the years, recently Xona Space Systems, from Mission 3, who earlier this year raised a $19m Series A from new and current investors including Seraphim.
This year the space sector has continued to demonstrate robust growth and resilience evidenced by consecutive quarters of investment recovery. Q2 2024 saw $2.41bn invested, bringing the total investment over the past twelve months to $8.5bn. The growth in investment this quarter was primarily driven by a large volume of deals across from series A to series C, indicating stronger investor confidence in early-stage SpaceTech ventures. The Accelerator’s track record and unique position at the epicentre of the ‘New Space’ ecosystem continues to attract early-stage startups from all over the world – with this year’s cohort being scouted from 7 countries. For the first time, companies from Saudi Arabia, Chile, and Turkey are joining the cohort, demonstrating SpaceTech’s global significance and growth. Mission 14 participants focus on key areas like data analytics, earth observation, and advanced manufacturing. By leveraging insights from space, these startups are driving advancements that will positively impact life on Earth.
Seraphim Space continues to strengthen its collaboration with leading corporate partners and industry bodies, including Dentons, ESA, JSAT, NEC, NSIFF, Telespazio, Thales, UK Space Agency and KPMG., who have been instrumental in supporting this cohort. Acquora earned a place on the programme as a ‘#TeC Fellow’ after winning the Telespazio’s Technology Contest.
Acquora(#T-TeC Fellow) – (Chile)Acquora addresses the $1 trillion water management market while prioritizing sustainable access to this essential resource for all. By leveraging innovative technology, it optimizes distribution systems, allowing water utilities to reinvest increased revenues into infrastructure and conservation efforts.
Artemis Earth Ltd – (UK) Artemis Earth delivers scalable biodiversity monitoring via satellite technology, enabling organizations to meet ESG goals, adhere to regulatory frameworks, and make informed, sustainable decisions.
Constellation Technologies & Operations – (France) Constellation Technologies & Operations empowers telecom operators to deliver high-performance, affordable, sustainable internet services to their clients through a disruptive broadband constellation of telecommunications satellites.
Flypix AI GmbH – (Germany) Flypix AI GmbH is a SaaS AI platform to understand the Earth from satellite and drone imagery.
Forg3D – (UK) Forg3D is bringing metal manufacturing into the digital age with 3D printed forgings, changing industry on Earth, and beyond.
ManufactureAI – (US) ManufactureAI develops generative AI tools to reduce the time and cost of scaling hardware production. Its platform integrates real-time data from factory floors, optimizing manufacturing processes, with its flagship product Launchflow leading the way.
Planetary Systems Corporation (dba Planetary Systems AI) – (US) PSAI builds AI, machine-learning applications, and digital twin technology to accelerate data flow, interoperability, and insight intelligence for decision-making in the space sector, optimizing planetary support operations.
ROVIAL SAS – (France) ROVIAL is pioneering AI-enabled robotics for orbital assembly, repair and service of space infrastructure. Their vision is to create hyper-powerful satellites & autonomous Orbital Outposts that produce sustainable space power for diverse applications.
SARsatX – (Saudi Arabia) SARsatX develops a vertically integrated constellation of SAR and optical satellites, powering a customizable Earth observation platform that delivers near-real-time insights tailored to diverse use cases.
Spacelis– (Turkey) SPACELIS is developing cutting-edge, ultra-lightweight flexible solar cell technologies to lead sustainable energy solutions for space exploration. With an innovative design and focus on specific power efficiency, SPACELIS is set to transform power systems for satellites, space missions, and terrestrial applications, driving environmental sustainability and deep-tech innovation.
Tiami Networks – (US) Tiami Networks designs robust, 5G software-defined ground and space systems with Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) capabilities, delivering secure, real-time data and communications for critical applications and high-security environments.
Alexander Holt, Managing Director, Seraphim Space Enterprise: “The Mission 14 cohort comes at an exciting time for global space innovation. Space investment has remained strong despite a challenging funding environment for the broader tech sector. In the last 12 months, over $8.5 billion has been invested into space-related startups, compared with $5.1 billion over the same period a year ago. Over the last six years, our accelerator alumni have secured investments of more than $540 million, and this new cohort will bring world-changing ideas to inception, helping shape the future of the space economy.”
Joe Cassidy, Seraphim Client Lead Partner, and Jonathon Gill, Global & UK Head of Industrial Manufacturing & Defence at KPMG: “The Seraphim Accelerator programme invests in pioneering entrepreneurial SpaceTech businesses to drive pace and focus in a sector that is a key strategic industrial and technological asset for the UK. We at KPMG are extremely proud of our deepening relationship with Seraphim and look forward to supporting pioneering businesses to scale up and shoot for the stars. Digital infrastructure in space supports human life on earth, from communication on smartphones, the transition to cashless societies, autonomous mobility, and smart cities. Space-led technology is disrupting every industry on the planet including defence, insurance, agriculture, financial services, pharmaceuticals, education, healthcare, and manufacturing to name a few. As well as presenting opportunities for advancement for humanity, space is also a highly congested and contested environment with nations competing with one another.“
ENDS
Media enquiries
For further information, or to arrange to speak to Seraphim Space Accelerator (UK) or Generation Space Accelerator (U.S) for other enquiries please contact:
About Seraphim Space Accelerator and Generation Space Accelerator: The Seraphim Space Accelerator (UK) and Generation Space Accelerator (USA) are the world’s leading accelerators focused on space technology, providing support, networks, and resources to scale up and become investment-ready. Working with 230 corporates, government agencies and over 500 investors worldwide. Since the conclusion of the previous 13 Missions, 109 alumni have raised $540 in investment.
About Seraphim Space Investment Trust plc Seraphim Space Investment Trust plc (“SSIT” or the “Company”) is the world’s first listed fund focused on SpaceTech. The Company seeks exposure predominantly to growth stage private financed SpaceTech businesses that have the potential to dominate globally and that are sector leaders with first-mover advantages in areas such as climate, communications, mobility and cyber security. The Company is listed on the Premium Segment of the London Stock Exchange. Further information is available at: https://investors.seraphim.vc.
About Seraphim Space Manager LLP Seraphim Space Manager LLP (“Seraphim Space” or the “Manager”) is based in the UK and manages Seraphim Space Investment Trust plc. Further information is available at www.seraphim.vc.
About Generation Space Generation Space LLC is the U.S. subsidiary of Seraphim Space Manager, LLP, and is responsible for its U.S. activities. Further information is available at: www.generation.space.
About Planetary Systems AI (www.planetarysystems.ai): Planetary Systems AI (PSAI) is a planetary support company addressing the challenges of building software applications with space and satellite data building artificial intelligence and machine learning tools and solutions, the foundations for neural networks in the space industry, digital twin technology, data models, digital and reliability engineering to empower planetary interoperability and computationally accessible data for space and satellite operations decision support.
