In a move that promises to reshape the landscape of space observation, two innovative companies, OurSky and PlaneWave Instruments, have announced their merger, forming a new entity called Observable Space. This strategic alliance brings together OurSky's cutting-edge software platform for observational data and PlaneWave's renowned expertise in telescope manufacturing, creating a powerful synergy that aims to democratize access to space and unlock unprecedented opportunities for scientific discovery, national security, and commercial endeavors.
The impetus for this merger arose from a shared vision to simplify the complexities of telescope operation and integration. Nick Kim, a partner at Upfront Ventures, witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by telescope users during a visit to PlaneWave's manufacturing facility in Michigan. Despite the high quality of PlaneWave's telescopes, the process of acquiring and processing images proved cumbersome and time-consuming, relying on a patchwork of off-the-shelf software solutions. This experience underscored the need for a more streamlined and integrated approach, highlighting the perfect synergy between OurSky's software platform and PlaneWave's hardware expertise.
"It took them quite a long time to get the first image. I’m talking like, multiple hours. And these are the people who make the telescopes! They were using all this, like, off-the-shelf, open source software that they kind of cobbled together," Kim recalled. "This is why OurSky needed to exist, right? This is the problem. What a perfect match."
The merger of OurSky and PlaneWave into Observable Space represents a significant leap forward in telescope technology. By tightly integrating the hardware and software components, Observable Space aims to eliminate the "mash of integration bullsh–," as described by OurSky founder Dan Roelker, referring to the fragmented and often frustrating experience of current telescope users. This seamless integration will not only simplify telescope operation but also unlock new possibilities for data acquisition and analysis.
"My dream was to integrate all the components on the telescope, even the parts we don’t sell, and then integrate the control of the telescope," said Richard Hedrick, founder of PlaneWave Instruments. "It was very obvious for us to be working together."
Roelker, who previously served as SpaceX's VP of software engineering, emphasized the potential for Observable Space to expand the market by making telescope technology more accessible and affordable. The combined expertise of the two companies will enable the development of innovative solutions, such as the ability for users to leverage multiple telescopes at different locations to simulate the capabilities of a much larger, single instrument. Furthermore, Observable Space is exploring the use of laser communication for transmitting data to and from space, paving the way for faster and more efficient communication with spacecraft.
The merger has garnered significant attention from investors and industry experts. Mislav Tolusic, managing partner at Marlinspike, a dual-use venture fund that has invested in Observable Space, highlighted the company's potential to capitalize on the growing demand for space-based services.
"Every day you’re relying on space," Tolusic emphasized. "If you take out GPS constellations, we’re in trouble economically. It’s a big, big, big deal. A lot of systems stop functioning. And guess what? The future is going to be even more dependent on that infrastructure."
Tolusic also praised PlaneWave's manufacturing prowess, noting that Hedrick built the company at a time when most telescope manufacturing had shifted overseas. This domestic manufacturing capability, he believes, gives Observable Space a significant competitive advantage.
Jordan Noone, general partner at Embedded Ventures, cited a specific example of the combined power of OurSky and PlaneWave's technologies. During a demonstration at Mount Wilson Observatory, the teams were able to quickly locate a satellite that had lost radio contact with its operator, showcasing the practical applications of their integrated platform.
"Many of the world’s most valuable companies, like Apple, Nvidia — they’re hardware/software platform combos," Noone observed. "Companies that approach just one of those two can have a lot of inherent value, but the combination of both in today’s world is extremely powerful.”
Observable Space currently employs approximately 100 people, with manufacturing operations based in Michigan, engineering offices in Los Angeles, and an observatory near Washington, D.C. The company is already generating revenue and has secured $11 million in funding to date, including investment from In-Q-Tel, the CIA's venture capital arm.
The founders of Observable Space expressed their satisfaction with the merger process, emphasizing the smooth integration of the two companies. "Going through the merger process itself was actually really valuable, because when you’re going through it, a lot of issues pop up," Roelker explained. "You actually get a really good sense of how you’re going to work together. And I think both Rick and I felt really good about that, because we actually went through some really hard things during the merger."
While the specific details of these challenges remain undisclosed, Hedrick playfully hinted at a debate over the company's branding, quipping, "We had to decide on whether [the company] was going to be Star Wars or Star Trek."
The ultimate decision, according to Roelker, was "Battlestar Galactica," suggesting a focus on innovation, exploration, and resilience in the face of the unknown.
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