Episode Summary
On this episode of Pathfinder, we step into the satellite deployment and launch services landscape with Robert Sproles, CEO of ExoLaunch. ExoLaunch stands at the forefront of satellite integration, delivering tailored launch solutions for commercial and government customers around the globe.
Episode Notes
This week on Pathfinder, we explore the world of satellite deployment and launch services with Robert Sproles, CEO of Exolaunch. Exolaunch is a leader in satellite integration, offering launch services and deployment solutions for commercial and government clients.
We explore how Exolaunch has built a cashflow-positive business with a remarkable track record of reliability, all without external funding. In addition, we discuss:
- Exolaunch’s founding story and its bootstrapped growth from a university project in Berlin to a $100M revenue company
- How Exolaunch navigates partnerships with major launch providers like SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and Ariane
- Robert’s insights on the demand for satellite launches and the need for diversity in orbital access
- Exolaunch’s plans for the future, including scaling to support larger satellites and expanding their U.S. operations
- The broader ecosystem of launch services and how larger rockets like Starship and New Glenn fit into the market
And much more…
• Chapters •
00:00 – Intro
00:30 – Robert’s background
08:13 – What is Exolaunch and the products offered?
10:02 – Founding of Exolaunch and building a company without the need for raising capital
14:09 – Bootstrap from day one and future funding plans
16:35 – From Arkansas to Germany
19:02 – Robert transitioning to CEO
21:16 – Current market for rideshare, deployment, and mission management
23:45 – What is different about Exolaunch?
25:48 – Are more launch companies good for Exolaunch and is SpaceX a monopoly?
27:02 – Are transporter missions anti-competitive to other launch companies?
30:13 – Future satellite trends
31:42 – How larger launch vehicles affect Exolaunch
33:33 – Is the launch market supplier demand constrained?
35:35 – How do non-American operators feel about using American launch providers?
37:39 – What does reliability look like?
40:08 – Exolaunch’s agility
43:34 – Missions that pushed the boundaries of Exolaunch’s capabilities
45:36 – Exolaunch headcount and future plans
46:32 – Growth areas
47:37 – 10+ year outlook
49:07 – What does Robert do outside of Exolaunch?
52:26 – Places to eat in Little Rock, Arkansas
• Show notes •
Exolaunch’s website — https://exolaunch.com/
Freeform’s socials — https://twitter.com/Exolaunch
Mo’s socials — https://twitter.com/itsmoislam
Payload’s socials — https://twitter.com/payloadspace / https://www.linkedin.com/company/payloadspace
Pathfinder archive — Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@payloadspace
Pathfinder archive — Listen: https://pod.payloadspace.com/episodes
• About us •
Pathfinder is brought to you by Payload, a modern space media brand built from the ground up for a new age of space exploration and commercialization. We deliver need-to-know news and insights daily to 19,000+ commercial, civil, and military space leaders. Payload is read by decision-makers at every leading new space company, along with c-suite leaders at all of the aerospace & defense primes. We’re also read on Capitol Hill, in the Pentagon, and at space agencies around the world.
Payload began as a weekly email sent to a few friends and coworkers. Today, we’re a team distributed across four time zones and two continents, publishing five media properties across multiple platforms:
1) Payload, our flagship daily newsletter, sends M-F @ 9am Eastern
2) Pathfinder publishes weekly on Tuesday mornings (pod.payloadspace.com)
3) Polaris, our weekly policy briefing, publishes weekly on Tuesdays
4) Payload Research, our weekly research and analysis piece, comes out on Wednesdays
You can sign up for all of our publications here: https://payloadspace.com/subscribe/