Space Angels: “Things We’d Love to Fund”

If you’re looking for something to build, this is a good place to start

A couple weeks ago I attended the NewSpace 2017 conference in San Francisco. On the third day, Space Angels Chairman Joe Landon gave a talk, styled after the YC “Things We’d Love to Fund” blog posts, in which he outlined the problems/solutions in the space industry that he finds compelling.

What makes a space startup great

In the preface to the list of things he wants to fund, he stressed that they don’t invest in companies that are just ideas, and outlined the things that make a startup attractive to Space Angels.

• Solves a unique problem.
• Addresses a sufficient and tenable market opportunity.
• Has a viable business model, based on valid assumptions.
• Focused on Growth.
• Has a team that ‘was born for this’, both qualified and passionate about the problem.
• Presents an attractive deal/terms for investment.

This is nothing new if you come from startup land.

The things space angels would love to fund

SmallSats and Space Data

There is still a huge need for Earth Observation and space data solutions.

• Plug and Play Satellite Systems: Standardization for satellite components and activities (Comms, position, power, propulsion, etc.)
• Communications Systems and Services
• Space Data as a Service
• Data Management and Distribution Platforms
• GEO comms satellites: They’re prime for disruption

Human Spaceflight Enablers

He referenced Bezos and Musk’s keen interest making it possible for millions of people to live and work in space.

• Human-Hardware Interfaces: AR, VR, Mixed Reality, Other Senes, Teleoperation, Direct Human-Machine Interfaces
• Health: Bio-augmentation to make jobs easier in space. Astronaut Mental and Physical Health Monitoring, Management. Automated/Tele-operated Procedure Enablement
• Living in Space: Habitat Structures, Food Production, Supply Chain, Entertainment
• Hibernation Pods: Would simplify things alot.

Building and Serving the In-Space Economy

What do we need to enable industry in space?

• In-space materials processing: Water is like Gold in space.
• Material Transport and Logistics: Enabling spacecraft refuel, distributed launch.
• Down-mass from LEO
• Astrodynamics as a Service
• Robotics for manipulation and transporation in space
• In-Space Manufacturing: De-Risking launches, de-coupling spacecraft design from launch requirements and stresses
• Space-Based Platforms: Unmanned platforms or distributed satellite system that serves the same functions as ISS and more.
• Orbital Debris Monitoring: Dont think of it as junk, but instead as abandoned resources.
• Waste, Reuse, and Disposal of space stuff
• Satellite Servicing: Refuel, Upgrade, Fix

Disclosure: My statements and opinions are my own, and do not represent those of any organization with which I am associated.

Also, that list is not word for word what he said. He was going pretty fast so I paraphrased some things.