By Titik Puspa 
Rama Afullo, a visionary Kenyan-American engineer with a deep understanding of both cloud computing and the burgeoning space industry, foresaw a future where computational power would transcend terrestrial boundaries. His conviction, initially met with skepticism at tech giants like Google and even within SpaceX, has now propelled his startup, Satlyt, to the forefront of orbital data center innovation. Satlyt, which operates with dual headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, and Nairobi, has successfully raised an $8 million seed round to develop software that will enable a multitude of satellites to collaboratively tackle complex computing tasks in space. This funding injection arrives at a pivotal moment, as the concept of orbital data centers gains significant traction, with SpaceX itself heavily investing in the endeavor and Google preparing to launch its own space data center prototype, Project Suncatcher.
Afullo’s journey into the realm of space-based computing began during his tenure at Google’s cloud division, a period that provided him with invaluable insights into the architecture and potential of distributed computing. His subsequent, albeit brief, engagement with SpaceX’s Starlink communications network in 2024 further solidified his belief in the untapped potential of computers operating beyond Earth’s atmosphere. “When I was at SpaceX, I tried to pitch this internally. They said no. When I was at Google, I tried to pitch this internally. They said no,” Afullo recounted to TechCrunch, underscoring the initial resistance he faced in articulating his ambitious vision. Undeterred by these rejections, he departed SpaceX to co-found Satlyt, driven by the ambition to democratize and decentralize computational power in orbit.
Satlyt’s strategic approach differentiates it from its more vertically integrated competitors. While companies like SpaceX, Google, and nascent startups such as Starcloud and Cowboy Space Company are focused on building their own spacecraft and hardware infrastructure, Satlyt’s core competency lies in its sophisticated software. Afullo likens their software development to that of VMWare and Snowflake, platforms renowned for abstracting complex infrastructure, allowing users to run sophisticated applications without needing to manage the underlying hardware. This philosophy translates to Satlyt’s mission of building software that empowers numerous satellites to share computational workloads, effectively creating a distributed, cooperative computing environment in space. "The folks like SpaceX who are doing orbital data centers—if they are the iPhone, we’ll build Android as a horizontally integrated, open ecosystem," Afullo explained, highlighting Satlyt’s goal of offering a versatile software solution that can operate across a diverse range of satellites from various manufacturers.
The company has already conducted two successful demonstration missions, validating the efficacy of its software. The initial focus of Satlyt’s technology is on enhancing operational efficiencies for spacecraft. Traditionally, satellites rely heavily on ground control for problem-solving, a process that involves costly and time-consuming data transmission, known as downlink. By enabling satellites to make on-board decisions using artificial intelligence (AI), Satlyt aims to significantly reduce these costs and delays. This can range from autonomously resolving anomalies to processing sensor data directly in space, rather than transmitting it back to Earth for analysis.
A significant milestone in this direction was Satlyt’s earlier deployment of Google DeepMind’s Gemma AI model onboard a spacecraft operated by Momentus. This deployment demonstrated a remarkable efficiency gain, reducing the size of transmissions related to onboard software errors by over 60%. Afullo estimates that such efficiencies can translate into annual savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars per satellite, a substantial economic incentive for satellite operators.
The upcoming launch, scheduled for Thursday, will see Satlyt’s software deployed on a spacecraft manufactured by TakeMe2Space, an Indian startup specializing in satellite hardware. This mission is particularly notable for its multi-customer engagement, involving NASA, Stellerian, and TakeMe2Space itself. NASA is utilizing the opportunity to test protocols for cloud computing in space, a crucial step in advancing the capabilities of space-based infrastructure. Stellerian, a startup focused on space surveillance and tracking orbital objects, aims to leverage Satlyt’s software for its image processing workloads. Meanwhile, TakeMe2Space will use the mission to showcase its satellite’s ability to host third-party software, further validating the interoperability of Satlyt’s platform.
While the current landscape of orbital computing is characterized by a limited number of high-powered GPUs, Satlyt’s focus on operational efficiencies and AI-driven decision-making positions it favorably for immediate adoption. However, the company’s long-term vision is even more ambitious: to establish a truly shared computing system—an orbital cloud—spanning multiple satellites. Satlyt anticipates attempting this next year, a feat that, if successful, will solidify its position as a third-party provider of cloud computing services for spacecraft builders. "The way to think about it is that we turn your satellite into a revenue-generating managed service," Afullo stated, encapsulating the value proposition of his company.
The $8 million seed round was spearheaded by Houston-based Non Sibi Ventures. The firm’s partner, Bernard Harris, a veteran NASA astronaut with over two decades of experience in space exploration, played a crucial role in solidifying the conviction behind Satlyt’s novel space-based business model. The investment was partly driven by Satlyt’s pragmatic approach, which does not solely rely on the high-risk, high-reward vision of massive orbital data centers, an endeavor currently facing economic uncertainties and launch bottlenecks. "We don’t need data centers in space for Rama to be wildly successful, right?" commented Kent Lucas, a partner at Non Sibi, to TechCrunch. "It can just be driven by the number of satellites going up.” This perspective highlights the inherent value in Satlyt’s software, which can deliver tangible benefits to the growing satellite ecosystem regardless of the full realization of large-scale orbital data centers.
Afullo’s ambition extends to having Satlyt’s software integrated into 20% of all satellites by the end of the decade. This ambitious target is underpinned by his prediction that nearly every spacecraft builder will incorporate GPUs and advanced processors into their satellites in the coming years. "If you’re putting up a satellite without putting up a GPU on it, at the very least, you’re doing yourself a disservice, right?" he posited, emphasizing the inevitable trend towards more powerful and intelligent satellites.
Satlyt’s participation in TechCrunch’s Disrupt Battlefield competition, scheduled for October 13-15 in San Francisco, will provide a significant platform to showcase its innovative technology and business model to a global audience of investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. This exposure, coupled with its recent funding success, positions Satlyt as a key player in shaping the future of distributed computing in space, moving from a niche concept to a tangible and economically viable orbital infrastructure.
The broader implications of Satlyt’s work extend beyond mere cost savings and operational efficiencies. The development of a robust, software-defined orbital compute cloud has the potential to revolutionize space exploration, scientific research, and commercial applications. It could enable more complex on-board data processing for Earth observation satellites, facilitate real-time analysis of astronomical data, and support the development of sophisticated AI-driven systems for autonomous space missions. As the satellite industry continues its exponential growth, Satlyt’s ability to provide a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective software solution for orbital computation places it in a prime position to capitalize on this burgeoning market. The company’s dual focus on immediate operational benefits and long-term infrastructural development makes it a compelling proposition in the rapidly evolving landscape of space technology.
