Satlyt Raises $8M to Run AI Software on Satellites
Founded by a former Google and SpaceX product manager, Satlyt aims to operate as an open software ecosystem for orbital computing.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Founding and Vision for Orbital Computing
Rama Afullo, a Kenyan American engineer with a background at Google’s cloud computing business and a brief stint at SpaceX’s Starlink network, foresaw the emergence of orbital data centers. After facing internal rejections at both tech giants for his orbital computing pitches, Afullo co-founded Satlyt, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and Nairobi, as detailed in an exclusive report by TechCrunch.
To fund the venture, Satlyt has secured an $8 million seed round. The startup's core ambition is to function as the open software ecosystem for orbital computing, positioning itself as the Android to closed, vertically integrated alternatives such as SpaceX's iPhone-style approach.
Software Strategy and Past Deployments
Unlike competitors building proprietary spacecraft, Satlyt focuses entirely on developing software that allows artificial intelligence models to operate directly on satellites. Afullo likens the company's platform model to infrastructure providers like VMware and Snowflake, allowing users to run complex applications without managing underlying hardware.
The startup has previously executed demonstration missions to validate its technology. Earlier this year, Satlyt deployed a Google DeepMind model onboard a spacecraft operated by Momentus. According to the company, this deployment successfully reduced the transmission size of onboard software error logs by over 60%, delivering notable operational efficiencies.
Upcoming Missions and Testing Protocols
Satlyt’s software is slated to launch on a SpaceX rocket alongside a prototype for Google’s space data center initiative, Project Suncatcher. The upcoming mission features workloads from multiple customers, including NASA testing cloud computing protocols, Stellerian evaluating space surveillance image processing, and TakeMe2Space hosting external software.
By executing tasks locally via on-board processing rather than relying solely on expensive ground downlinks, Satlyt aims to help spacecraft operators resolve anomalies and process sensor readings more efficiently.
Funding Details and Future Goals
Satlyt's seed round was led by Houston-based Non Sibi Ventures, with partner Bernard Harris—a former NASA astronaut—helping shape the firm's investment perspective. Non Sibi partner Kent Lucas noted that Satlyt’s business model does not depend strictly on large-scale space data centers, but rather on the overall growth of satellites being launched into orbit.
Looking ahead, Satlyt plans to test a shared computing cloud spanning two different satellites next year. Afullo's broader objective is for Satlyt's software to run on 20% of all spacecraft by the end of the decade, anticipating that advanced processors and GPUs will become standard equipment across the industry.
Sources
- TechCrunchSatlyt, founded by a former Google and SpaceX product manager, raises $8M to run AI on satellites
Continue chronologically
Related entity coverage
Related stories
NASA Updates Artemis Lander Plans and Solves Orion Issue
NASA has detailed updated Artemis lunar lander plans, modifying mission architecture for SpaceX and Blue Origin while addressing Orion propulsion challenges.
Anthropic Files S-1 Prospectus for Nasdaq IPO
Anthropic has filed its S-1 prospectus with the SEC to list on Nasdaq under the ticker ANT, detailing financials, risks, and compute deals.
US Data Center Bans Delay Only Three Projects
A new audit reveals that over 300 local data center moratoriums have had a minimal impact, delaying just three projects across the United States.
AI Industry Debates Safety Pacts Amid Calls to Slow Down
Tech leaders are divided on the future of AI development as Anthropic and OpenAI propose safety frameworks while Nvidia pushes back against regulation.
