On a serene spring evening in Michigan, the universe conspired — although not quite in the manner that Upfront Ventures partner Nick Kim had anticipated.
Having just spearheaded a $9.5 million seed funding round for OurSky, a software platform focused on space observation data, he was keen to witness the capabilities of its telescope partner, PlaneWave Instruments.
However, upon arriving at PlaneWave’s manufacturing base to test the telescopes that evening, he found himself waiting.
“It took them several hours just to get the first image. I mean, these are the folks who craft the telescopes! They were utilizing a hodgepodge of off-the-shelf, open-source software,” Kim recounted in an interview with TechCrunch.
Despite the delays, Kim felt no frustration; instead, he was filled with enthusiasm. “This is the exact reason OurSky was created, right? This is the challenge we aim to solve,” he recalled. “What a fantastic alignment this is.”
This synergy was so promising that OurSky and PlaneWave have decided to merge, forming a new entity named Observable Space.
Dan Roelker, the founder of OurSky, and Richard Hedrick, the head of PlaneWave, assert that this merger will simplify telescope usage. Furthermore, they believe that a closer collaboration will unlock new market opportunities — particularly as they capitalize on their unique status as the sole U.S.-based telescope manufacturer. Current clientele includes NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy at Georgia State University.
“My vision was to integrate all the components within the telescope, including those we don’t manufacture, and merge the telescope’s control functions,” Hedrick remarked in an interview. “It became evident that collaboration was the way forward for us.”
Roelker, who previously served as the VP of software engineering at SpaceX from 2015 to 2019, highlighted the challenges users face with what he refers to as a “messy integration nightmare.” He believes that combining PlaneWave’s vertical approach with OurSky’s software will alleviate these frustrations.
Addressing the integration issue presents a substantial growth opportunity for Observable Space, Roelker noted. (The OurSky software platform will retain its name, while the telescopes will continue to be marketed under the PlaneWave brand.)
This could encompass various enhancements, such as allowing users to access multiple telescopes at a single location — or even globally — to replicate the functionality of a larger observatory, as well as utilizing lasers for effective communication with space, all while reducing expenses.
For Hedrick, optimizing the performance of high-quality telescopes played a crucial role in his support for the merger. The aim is to make the technology more accessible and financially viable for both enthusiasts and institutions.
He mentioned that one institution had recently commissioned some one-meter telescopes from another manufacturer, stating, “If we had been around, they would never have needed to do that.”
Emerging Business
As the costs associated with reaching orbit decrease, increasingly more companies are launching payloads into space, according to Roelker. This surge in space activity generates a heightened demand for tools that can identify and monitor objects in orbit, establish communication with spacecraft, and support defense and intelligence applications.
Mislav Tolusic, managing partner at dual-use venture fund Marlinspike, which has invested in Observable Space, believes the company could become a crucial player in this evolving market.
“Every day, we depend on space,” Tolusic stated in an interview. “If we lose our GPS constellations, the economic implications would be severe. Many systems would cease to work. And looking ahead, our dependency on this infrastructure is only going to increase.”
Tolusic acknowledged the superior quality of PlaneWave’s products, emphasizing that Hedrick managed to build the company during a period when virtually all telescope manufacturing occurred abroad — a strategic advantage in his view.
“To replicate that in the U.S., one must figure out how to produce precise lenses and gimbals, not just how to design them, but how to manufacture them en masse,” he explained.
Jordan Noone, general partner at Embedded Ventures, provided insight into his fund’s investment by illustrating what OurSky and PlaneWave can achieve together.
Just before their merger, Noone attended a demonstration at Mount Wilson Observatory in Los Angeles featuring the combined capabilities of the companies’ products.
He recounted to TechCrunch that the groups managed to retrieve an observation request from OurSky’s platform: a satellite operator had lost contact with its spacecraft. The teams quickly pinpointed its location.
He contrasted this streamlined experience with Kim’s earlier demonstration in Michigan, reinforcing his belief that Observable Space represents a savvy investment.
“Some of the world’s most valuable companies, like Apple and Nvidia, blend hardware with software,” Noone explained. “While companies that focus solely on one aspect can hold significant value, the combination of both is incredibly potent in today’s landscape.”
Star Wars or Star Trek?
Observable Space boasts a workforce of about 100 employees, with manufacturing operations based in Michigan, engineering efforts taking place in Los Angeles, and an observatory situated near Washington, D.C.
The company is already generating revenue and has accumulated $11 million in funding to date, which includes an investment from In-Q-Tel, the CIA’s nonprofit strategic investment arm.
Hedrick and Roelker shared that the two organizations have integrated seamlessly, as they focused on distinct areas of business without extensive back-office complexities.
“Navigating the merger process was genuinely beneficial, as it brought various challenges to light,” Roelker noted. “It provided a clear understanding of how we will collaborate moving forward. Both Rick and I felt optimistic as we tackled some demanding issues during the merger.”
When queried about these challenges, the duo refrained from specifics, with Hedrick humorously stating: “We had to determine whether the company would align with Star Wars or Star Trek.”
So, what was their conclusion?
“Battlestar Galactica,” Roelker quipped.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
Fanpage: TechArena.au
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