The Startup Defense
The Startup Defense explores the intersection of commercial technology and defense innovation. Callye Keen (Kform) talks with expert guests about the latest needs and trends in the defense industry and how startup companies are driving innovation and change. From concept to field, The Startup Defense covers artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, mission computing, autonomous systems, and the manufacturing necessary to make technology real.
The Startup Defense
Distributed Space Edge Computing, On-orbit Autonomy, and Aethero with Edward Ge
Edward Ge – Co-founder & CEO, Aethero. Building the Nvidia of space: why edge compute, autonomy, and distributed satellite clusters change everything.
Episode Snapshot
Aethero’s Edward Ge joins Callye to unpack the next wave of space: pushing real compute to orbit so satellites can process data and act autonomously instead of waiting on ground links. We dig into why most spacecraft still run on ancient processors, what it takes to harden COTS GPUs for radiation, and how distributed “orbital data centers” unlock defense and commercial missions faster and cheaper.
Topics We Cover
- Why on-orbit edge computing beats “download everything” architectures
- Hardening COTS compute (radiation, thermal, power) for real missions
- Distributed clusters in space: orchestration, reliability, and use cases
- Funding timing and building in public with defense customers
- What’s actually launching next and how fast iteration happens in space
Timestamped Highlights
- 00:00 | Welcome and setup — “edge compute in orbit” premise.
- 02:18 | Why satellites still run decades-old processors; the Moore’s Law gap in space.
- 05:42 | Consumer device vs. spacecraft life cycles—designing for 7–10 years without freezing tech.
- 07:02 | Fundraising cadence: closed in November, announced in June—why timing matters in defense.
- 10:51 | Hardening COTS compute: radiation, thermal paths, and redundancy.
- 14:51 | From single nodes to clusters: building “orbital data centers.”
- 17:31 | “There are really only two customers in space right now: telecom and defense.”
- 20:37 | Advice to young founders: why shipping fast trumps credentials.
- 22:52 | Closing thoughts & how Aethero is sequencing the next launches.
Resources & Links
- Aethero — https://www.aethero.com/
- Aethero $8.4M seed (press release) — Business Wire
- Kratos Constellations: “4 Takeaways: Aethero CEO on Building Space-Grade Computers” — summary of Ed’s thesis on space compute
kratosspace.com
