On today’s Pathfinder, we sit down with Emiliano Kargieman, who is CEO and cofounder of Satellogic ($SATL). Originally started in Buenos Aires, the now-global ~$500M microsat operator is developing a LEO constellation and aims to develop a high-res, live catalog of Earth.
- Satellogic launched nine satellites on SpaceX’s Transporter-4 and -5 missions in April and May, bringing its fleet total to 26 operational satellites.
- By the end of 2023, Satellogic hopes to have 60+ satellites in orbit (and 200+ by 2025).
- The company made $4.2M in 2021, the year it began selling and delivering imagery to customers.
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Sneak peek of what we ask Emiliano
- What collection advantages do satellites have over planes, drones, or on-site sensors/measurements?
- Technology has come a long way since 2010, bending cost curves downward to make businesses like yours possible (though not yet proven or profitable). What tech, financial, or regulatory constraints are still holding you back?
- Satellogic went public via SPAC in January. Do you have any regrets about the merger or do you still think was it the right move?
- Define space-as-a-service. And what does Satellogic mean when it talks about dedicated satellite constellations?
- As a non-US company, what sorts of limitations does Washington put on your business, with respect to national security and government contract dealings?
- What have you learned operating over Ukraine, in the nearly six months since the war started?
- You’re a space startup success story out of Argentina. Any advice for budding engineers or entrepreneurs from the Global South who want to break into space?
