Satlyt raises $8 million to put AI inside satellites
Satlyt（—）
A company building software that runs AI on satellites.
downlink（—）
A connection that sends data from a satellite to Earth.
Gemma（—）
An AI model from Google DeepMind used in a spacecraft test.
What happened
Satlyt, a software company for running AI on satellites, raised an $8 million seed round. TechCrunch reported that founder and CEO Rama Afullo previously worked in Google’s cloud business and at SpaceX’s Starlink network in 2024. The company is based in Sunnyvale, California, and Nairobi, Kenya.
Satlyt is not building its own spacecraft. It wants its software to run AI models across satellites from different companies. Its larger idea is to let spacecraft share space-based computing jobs.
Why put AI in orbit?
Satellites collect sensor readings and other data. They often send much of that information to Earth. That connection, called a downlink, can be expensive and slow. Satlyt wants AI to make some decisions on the spacecraft.
That could help with two tasks. First, AI could help identify spacecraft problems. Second, it could process sensor readings before sending them down. The goal is less data traveling to Earth. Satlyt says this could improve operations and reduce costs.
What has been demonstrated
Satlyt says its software has already flown on two demonstration missions. Earlier this year, it ran Google DeepMind’s Gemma model on a spacecraft operated by Momentus. The company says the model cut a transmission about onboard software errors by more than 60 percent. Afullo says that kind of reduction could save hundreds of thousands of dollars per satellite each year.
That result is a company-reported demonstration. It does not show that every satellite can run the same system. It also does not prove that a broad orbital cloud is ready.
An open software layer
SpaceX, Google, Starcloud, and Cowboy Space Company are working on their own spacecraft or orbital-computing systems. Satlyt is taking a different route. It wants to supply the software layer while other companies supply the satellites.
Afullo compares this approach with VMware and Snowflake. He also describes the difference using a familiar phone comparison. SpaceX’s model would be like an iPhone. Satlyt wants an Android-like, open ecosystem that can work across many satellites. The comparison describes business structure. It does not prove that one approach will win.
What comes next
The next test involves a spacecraft built by TakeMe2Space, an Indian startup that makes computing hardware for satellites. NASA will pay to test protocols for cloud computing in space. Stellerian will test image-processing workloads. TakeMe2Space will show that its spacecraft can host software from other companies.
Satlyt plans to attempt a shared computing system across two satellites next year. Few powerful GPUs are currently in orbit. So this two-satellite test could show whether the idea works at a larger scale.
What remains unproven
Satlyt’s seed round was led by Non Sibi Ventures. The firm told TechCrunch that Satlyt does not need giant space data centers to succeed. It could grow as more satellites launch. Afullo hopes the software will run on 20 percent of satellites by the end of the decade. That is a goal, not a result.
The key question is whether software made for many satellites can work reliably across different hardware. The next mission, the two-satellite cloud test, and named customer results will provide better evidence. For now, Satlyt has shown an interesting path: process more data where it is collected, then use open software to connect spacecraft. Source: TechCrunch
Satlyt raises $8 million for AI software on satellites
📰 Full story: Satlyt raises $8 million to put AI inside satellites
Satlyt wants to put AI software inside satellites and connect their computing power.
Satlyt（—）
A company building software for satellites.
downlink（—）
A way to send information from a satellite to Earth.
GPU（—）
A chip that helps a computer calculate quickly.
💡 The gist
- Satlyt raised $8 million for satellite AI software.
- Its software could study data before satellites send it down.
- The company wants many satellites to share computing work.
Satlyt is a software company for space machines. It wants AI, computer software that finds patterns, to run inside satellites. TechCrunch reported the funding. The founder is Rama Afullo. He worked at Google, a cloud and search company. He also worked at SpaceX, a rocket and satellite company.
Satellites collect pictures, sensor readings, and other information. They often send that information to Earth. This connection is called a downlink. Downlinks can cost money and take time. AI inside a satellite could check information first. Then the satellite might send only the useful parts.
Satlyt says its software already flew on two test missions. One mission used Momentus, a spacecraft operator. Satlyt ran Google DeepMind’s Gemma model there. The company says one transmission became more than 60 percent smaller. The transmission described software errors aboard the spacecraft. Afullo says this could save hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly.
Satlyt does not plan to build its own spacecraft. It wants software that works across many companies’ satellites. Afullo compares this idea with Android. Android runs on devices from many companies. He compares SpaceX’s approach with the iPhone. That comparison explains two business models. It does not show which model will win.
The next test uses a spacecraft from TakeMe2Space. It is an Indian company making satellite computing hardware. NASA will test cloud-computing methods in space. Stellerian will test image-processing work. TakeMe2Space will show other software can run there.
Satlyt plans a bigger test next year. Two satellites may share computing work. Few powerful GPUs currently orbit Earth. So this test could show whether the idea works at larger scale.
Many details remain unknown. We do not yet know how many satellites will use Satlyt. We also do not know whether the system works across different spacecraft. Satlyt’s goal is 20 percent of satellites by the decade’s end. That is a plan, not a measured result.
The next spacecraft test and two-satellite test matter most. They can show whether Satlyt has a useful open software layer. Source: TechCrunch
Satlyt wants AI inside space satellites
📰 Full story: Satlyt raises $8 million to put AI inside satellites
Satlyt wants satellites to look at information before sending it home.
Satlyt（—）
A team that wants to use AI on satellites.
AI（—）
A computer helper that sorts information.
software（—）
Instructions that tell a machine what to do.
What is the news?
Satlyt is a team that makes software for satellites.
AI is a computer helper that sorts information.
Satlyt wants AI to work inside satellites.
Satlyt raised 8 million dollars.
The money will help its plan.
Why put AI there?
A satellite gathers pictures and other information.
It sends messages down to Earth.
Those messages can take time and money.
AI can look at the information first.
Then the satellite may send less information.
What did Satlyt try?
Satlyt says it tried the software on two space missions.
One test made a message more than 60 percent smaller.
The message was about a software problem.
Satlyt wants many satellites to use its software.
It does not want just one satellite.
Next year, it plans to test two satellites together.
They may share computer work.
But the plan is not finished.
We do not know if many satellites can use it.
We will watch the next tests.
Source: TechCrunch