Abhishek Tripathi

We’ve updated our website with Canopy’s complete Advisor list. Check it out - https://lnkd.in/ecd3vfud Lee Steinke Lee Steinke, COO of CisLunar Industries and former Interim COO of Orbit Fab, is a seasoned executive and advisor in aerospace, defense, and energy. With a background in geology, an MBA from The Wharton School, and extensive leadership experience, she brings a unique perspective to strategic problem-solving, people leadership, and high-profile project management. Dr. Min-Yi Shih Bringing a dynamic blend of technical expertise and business insight, Dr. Min-Yi Shih is passionate about cultivating innovative solutions for startups and small businesses. Min-Yi brings significant experience as a technical executive who led growth across a number of deep technology business, as well as an angel investor on the west coast. Swami I. Swami Iyer, a seasoned leader with 25 years of experience, excels in building diverse teams to tackle complex challenges, particularly in aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity. He brings distinguished leadership experience from roles as a USAF test pilot; President of Virgin Galactic; and President and CEO of GKN Aerospace’s Advanced Defense Systems division. Mike Cassidy Mike Cassidy is a serial entrepreneur with numerous stints as CEO and Co-Founder of high-tech companies, including Apollo Fusion and Ruba, that achieved successful exits. He previously led Google's Project Loon, expanding internet access in developing countries with high-altitude balloons. His expertise in entrepreneurship, acquisitions, and cutting-edge technology will provide invaluable guidance and strategic insight for our team. Adam Jay Harrison Jay Harrison brings extensive experience as an entrepreneurial leader in the defense tech space. During his eight-year tenure as Managing Director of Mav6, Jay Harrison grew the company to over $250 million in revenue. Notably, Jay has distinguished himself in unique DOD roles such as leading the Army’s efforts to transition commercial technologies to the warfighter post-9/11 and as the inaugural Managing Director of what has become the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN). Dr. Karl Muth Karl Muth brings a wealth of experience to aerospace ventures, having led negotiations during bank failures and proposed restructuring architectures for Fortune 250 firms. As a rule 702 expert witness in securities fraud matters and an advisor to portfolio company CEOs in technology accelerators, he offers strategic insights crucial for navigating complex aerospace landscapes. Dr. Jerry McGinn, Ph.D. Jerry McGinn, a seasoned executive with 30+ years in national security, is an expert in defense acquisition strategy, industrial base policy, and corporate mergers. As Executive Director of the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting and previously served as the senior career official in the Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy in the Department of Defense.

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Solving the space plus critical infrastructure challenge is a big next step in protecting the future. Check this out 

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Space special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) were a hot topic in 2020 and 2021. The years since have not been kind to most space companies who participated in this trend. All recent space SPACs, even the most successful, are trading below their initial public offering. Below are two examples of space SPACs that have been in the news recently for unflattering reasons. ASTRA SPACE The SPAC Feb 2021: $2.6 billion valuation At the time, Astra had not yet launched a completely successful mission Recent Financials 2023: nearly $3.9 million in revenue, net loss of $178.4 million 2022: $9.4 million in revenue, net loss of $411.4 million The Decline Sept 2023: conducted a one-for-fifteen (1-15) reverse split of its Class A Common Stock 2023 & 2024: Considered bankruptcy and started preparing for Chapter 7 March 2024: Board accepted an offer from CEO Chris Kemp and CTO Adam London to take the company private VIRGIN GALACTIC The SPAC Oct 2019: $2.2 billion valuation At the time, the company had flown successful suborbital flights with employees but no commercial flights yet Recent Financials 2023: $6.8 million in revenue, net loss of $502 million End of 2023: cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $982 million 2022: $2 million in revenue, net loss of $500 million Recent History July 2021: first fully crewed flight June 2023: first commercial crewed flight As of April 2024: 6 commercial crewed flights to date 2024 Q2: 7th commercial flight planned The Decline Nov 2023: Stock fell when company announced it will reduce the frequency of flights and stop them entirely by mid-2024 to focus on Delta-class vehicles to be operational in 2026 March 2024: Boeing sued Virgin Galactic over unpaid work and proprietary business information concerns April 2024: Virgin Galactic counter-sued Boeing for “shoddy and incomplete work” April 2024: trading below $1, Virgin Galactic will ask shareholders to approve a reverse stock split STRUGGLING SPACE SPACS Other struggling space SPAC companies include: Terran Orbital Momentus Spire Space SPAC Virgin Orbit went public in 2021 and bankrupt in 2023. NOT ALL BAD NEWS Space SPAC Rocket Lab is an exception. Rocket Lab Aug 2021 SPAC with valuation of $4.1 billion At the time, the company had been launching for 3 years, had 21 mission attempts with 18 successful missions 2023: $244.6 million in revenue, net loss of $182.6 million ASTRALYTICAL ANALYSIS In 2021, Astralytical advised investors not to invest in space SPACs, which were largely risky and unproven. Most space SPACs were pre-revenue and pre-operations. The most successful space SPAC, Rocket Lab, already had a proven business case and ongoing operations. Astralytical conducts due diligence for investors and advises investors to look beyond the hype. Want space insights like these in your inbox? Subscribe for weekly analysis: https://lnkd.in/e8GYXW-a

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The wind blows in 3 dimensions. we mostly only care about 2... it's time to modernize. What opportunities exist when we close knowledge gaps and leverage this immense movement of mass? Some interesting topics NOAA has identified related to nested scales and knowledge gaps. the impact of waves and sea spray (small particles) on the formation and movement of hurricanes ( 500-1000km scale) cloud formation and transitions within the boundary layer. factors affecting the vertical transport of heat and matter during the boundary layer daily cycle. concentration and transport of pollutants in realistically variable boundary layer structures We live and exist in the planetary boundary layer by the way. Early 360 camera the Rylo, that is still my favorite camera. lost in the trees in St. Hilare. This is 120+ flying humans. About to spend 3-5 hours flying over 100km using sunlight and the resulting convective thermodynamic reality. this is already the future. weather matters. VR if you have it... or full resolution at least.

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Advanced Power for Extreme Space Exploration! Consider submitting an abstract to this special session we are putting together at the AIAA SciTech 2025 Conference. Go to aiaa.org/SciTech to submit your abstract, and select “Other Topics in Aerospace Power Systems."

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Take a look at our paper on global forecasting of storm surges at ungauged locations through ML techniques. Our work will be preseted at the #CVPR #EarthVision workshop.#ai4eo

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As NASA focuses on exploring the Moon, Mars, and the solar system for the benefit of humanity, the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) is shifting how it prioritizes technology development. As part of this refinement effort, NASA is asking the American aerospace community for feedback on nearly 190 national space technology needs – or shortfalls – it has identified for future space exploration and science endeavors https://lnkd.in/gp4CCJS8

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Could airships lift payloads into orbit? JP Aerospace has designed a three-stage system to get their Orbital Ascender airship-to-orbit concept off the ground. Jamie Little, our Cofounder and CTO, is intrigued by the approach John Powell, President of JP Aerospace, is taking. She says, "I love the Ascender concept. Using an airship to lift a rocket to the upper atmosphere will dramatically reduce the amount of propellant necessary to achieve orbital velocity. It also eliminates the need for the lower stages of the rocket itself since you don't need giant propellant tanks or atmospherically-optimized rocket nozzles.” We’re excited to see the ways in which aiships are revolutionizing aviation! #Airships #Orbit #AirshipToOrbit #SpaceInnovation https://lnkd.in/ej_ZvsPe

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This was an exercise that I was able to participate in; an important meeting of interagency and international participants on this important topic https://lnkd.in/esXTch44

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Since a few years, the largest and most prestigious aerospace organization in the world (30,000 members), the American Institute for Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA), has formed a dedicated committee of high-profile professionals, organizing a specific UAP panel at AIAA conferences welcoming scientific papers to stimulate an open discussion on such a complex and multi-disciplinary topic (including material science, relativistic physics, propulsion, RF communication, electromagnetism, plasma physics, hypersonics, etc.). Whether some people accept it or not (an increasing number of people do...), UAP has been established as a topic worth of scientific study in the space science/engineering community. Potential outcomes can lead to a giant leap in scientific knowledge towards developing revolutionary space and green energy technologies. Add to this the need for ensuring safety for both military and civil flights in presence of these objects.

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The SPARTA initiative over at The Aerospace Corporation underscores the multifaceted nature of threats to #spaceassets, highlighting 83 primary techniques for attacking spacecraft. As a #PhDAstrophysicist and #veteran with expertise in #spaceoperations, I find the emphasis on non-kinetic methods, such as #cyberwarfare and #electronicwarfare, particularly pertinent. These methods can disable or manipulate #satellites without physical destruction, aligning with modern warfare's trend towards #asymmetric and #covertoperations. The detailed analysis provided by SPARTA serves as a crucial resource for developing comprehensive #defensestrategies against these sophisticated threats. The notion that #space inherently offers a safe haven for critical assets is debunked by the diverse attack vectors outlined in the #SPARTA matrix. This perspective is essential for #defenseplanning, as it highlights the necessity for robust #cybersecurity measures and alternative #PositionNavigationTiming (PNT) sources. The recommendation to provide multiple PNT sources to reduce #GPSsatellite vulnerability is a strategic move that can significantly enhance #resilience. It shifts the paradigm from solely protecting assets to creating an environment where attacks are less impactful, thereby ensuring continued #operationalintegrity. In addition to conventional threats like #jamming and #kineticattacks, the potential for #cyberintrusions and #signalspoofing poses a significant risk to #satelliteoperations. The SPARTA framework's inclusion of these threats reflects a comprehensive understanding of modern warfare dynamics. As someone deeply invested in leveraging #spaceexpertise for #DoD applications, I advocate for increased investment in #cybersecurity and signal integrity technologies. These measures will not only protect current assets but also ensure that future space operations remain secure against an evolving landscape of threats. https://lnkd.in/gAiGcDV6 #SpaceAssets #PhDAstrophysicist #Veteran #SpaceOperations #CyberWarfare #ElectronicWarfare #Satellites #Asymmetric #CovertOperations #DefenseStrategies #SPARTA #DefensePlanning #Cybersecurity #PositionNavigationTiming #GPSSatellite #Resilience #OperationalIntegrity #Jamming #KineticAttacks #CyberIntrusions #SignalSpoofing #SatelliteOperations #SpaceExpertise #DoD

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Have (updated) thoughts about what the FCC should do on orbital debris/space sustainability? Let them know!

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Hear from Jacki Cortese, Senior Director of Civil Space, Blue Origin, on the key factors to growing a sustainable space economy. "The most vital element of the space economy is the people. Think of the technologies, the facilities, the factories, the money, but the most important thing is the people that are making all of this happen." - Jacqueline Cortese Whether your focus is on the moon or LEO, during 2024 ASCEND we take a deep dive into the prospects, opportunities, challenges, and cost drivers for the growing use of space. Learn how you can prosper in the space economy; secure your seat today and save up to 25% on registration by 10 June. https://bit.ly/3R6e0sg #AIAA #ascendspace

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Doubling Down: Progress on Space Debris Mitigation and Remediation The recent article by Ian Christensen highlights significant strides in space debris mitigation and the ongoing challenges of remediation. As a space journalist, I find these developments crucial for space sustainability. Key Developments: - **European Space Agency**: 12 countries and 40+ companies signed the Zero Debris Charter, aiming for no net addition of debris by 2030. - **India's ISRO**: Committed to “Debris Free Space Missions” by 2030. - **US FCC**: Refining orbital debris mitigation requirements to protect current and future services. The Challenge of Existing Debris: While mitigating future debris is essential, we can't ignore the risks posed by over 25,000 tracked objects already in orbit. Efforts to remediate these face technical, political, and economic hurdles. However, advancements in satellite servicing and in-space logistics are paving the way for active debris removal (ADR). Promising Initiatives: - **Europe, Japan, UK**: Leading ADR pilot programs. - **NASA**: Policy shift to fund debris remediation technologies. Need for Government Action: Further government action is needed to sustain and scale these programs. NASA's recent study suggests debris remediation can offer comparable risk reduction per dollar spent as mitigation efforts, highlighting the value of investing in these technologies. Looking Ahead: The upcoming 6th Summit for Space Sustainability in Tokyo will explore key questions on debris remediation, aiming to catalyze operational deployment and ensure a sustainable orbital environment. Ensuring sustainable and scalable outcomes in debris remediation, coupled with strong mitigation commitments, is crucial for the future of space activities. Ian Christensen, Senior Director, Private Sector Programs at the Secure World Foundation, encapsulates the urgency and necessity of these efforts. Let's continue pushing for progress in both space debris mitigation and remediation to secure our space future. https://lnkd.in/edycqHjy

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iPerformX is proud to support Air Force Agency for Modeling & Simulation (AFAMS) eXploration division efforts to enhance F-35 Training Capabilities. The AFAMS eXploration division explores innovative technology and collaboration with partner organizations like #iPerformX to minimize risks when developing technologies for the #Air_Force. The division works to integrate technologies to support the #warfighter and address difficulties within #modeling and #simulation-based solutions. AFAMS is now collaborating with iPerformX to help integrate our F-35 Mixed Reality Training Device and MissionXR Effects Based Simulator (EBS) capability with existing AFAMS technologies and software to create a common synthetic training environment. This platform integrates with the iPerformX Performance Data Management System (PDMS) that powers the Digital Backbone for Pilot Training Transformation and Pilot Training Next. To learn more about this AFAMS effort, as well as some of the Air Force's recent development of training programs, including its Pilot Training Next (#PTN) and Pilot Training Transformation (#PTT) programs, read the full Team Orlando news story below. See iPerformX at the Training & Simulation Industry Symposium (#TSIS) 2024 in booths 8 and 31 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, June 12 and 13th. iPerformX provides adaptive training ecosystems designed to cultivate measurable outcomes and improved performance across the continuum of learning to our government and civilian customers. iPerformX offerings comprise the key elements of major US military training programs. The Adaptive Courseware Ecosystem (ACE), an AI-driven training platform that elevates student performance through personalized presentation of military curricula. The Adaptive Program Execution (APEX), an AI-driven, comprehensive scheduling and training timeline prediction platform.      MissionXR, a synthetic environment, flight simulation, and training ecosystem featuring AI-enabled planning, debriefing, and remote instruction. Second Order Cognition for the Results and Analysis of Training and Evaluation Systems (SOCRATES), a solution that accelerates expertise through AI-guided adaptive training simulations that maximize human potential. Weapons Integrated NextGen Training (WING) devices that accelerate performance through immersive training innovation. We look forward to hearing from you!

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NASA is soliciting industry proposals to carry out rapid studies of mission designs and mission elements capable of delivering samples collected by the Mars Perseverance rover from the surface of Mars to Earth. NASA recognizes that U.S. industry has innovative ideas and substantial capabilities that may be relevant to a Mars Sample Return campaign. This Rapid Mission Design Studies for Mars Sample Return program element (henceforth “program element”) seeks to establish whether there are viable mission designs or mission element options, such as a smaller Mars Ascent Vehicle, to return samples from Mars that offer benefits (e.g., less complexity, lower overall cost, lower annual cost, earlier sample return, and/or lower risk; see Section 3.4) compared to NASA’s reference mission design. Studies may be for complete mission designs, for mission designs that include elements of NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program or NASA’s Artemis Program as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), or for individual mission elements; see Section 3.2. The results of these studies may inform revisions to NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program and may result in future procurements. go.nasa.gov/rasmsr24

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What do the following have in common? 🏛️ US Congress 👨‍🔬 Merlin Labs 🛩️ Safran ⛓️‍💥 Israeli Hostages 🚀 Boeing’s disastrous engineering ⚽️ and Soccer They’re all top news this week! Clearly, I’m behind schedule today and there’s a lot to dissect in the news. First, the House Appropriations Committee did its committee markup on the Defense Appropriations bill this week. Watch for a lot of interesting insights to come in the near future on that. Second, we’re continuing to see VC firms raising funds to focus on hard tech and defense tech. Hopefully, this will quickly translate into opening the spigot for startups, but that still remains muted—although there were some defense or defense-adjacent investments announced this week. More movement in the M&A sphere with Merlin Labs acquiring EpiSci and Italy finally approving French firm Safran’s acquisition of Eurofighter component maker Microtecnica. Geopolitically, Israel rescued four hostages captures on 7 Oct, at the cost of several hundred Palestinian lives. The US has proposed a ceasefire plan, now endorsed by the UN Security Council, although Hamas has asked for some amendments. Russia is floating part of its navy in the western hemisphere near Cuba and China may be attempting to probe Taiwanese naval defenses. In space, Boeing’s Starliner craft is stranded with its return date pushed to 22 June, amid multiple leaks from the spacecraft, just the latest in what feels like dozens of major engineering mishaps from one of the largest aerospace and defense companies. How have shareholders NOT demanded the heads of the entire board, yet. Finally, the UEFA European Championship 2024 kicks off today at 3:00pm Eastern at Munich’s Allianz Arena, where Germany is heavily favored to beat Scotland. Dive in to these and other issues surrounding aerospace and defense technology. #defense #defensetechnology #venturecapital #technology #news https://lnkd.in/erMZDUMQ

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