Arkisys and the Evolution of Space Entrepreneurship
Arkisys and the Evolution of Space Entrepeneruship
We’re in the middle of a second space age, one increasingly driven by private industry. As more and more players enter the field, new frontiers have opened up: among them in or near-space supply, multi-use platform development, orbital transfer, and even—in the future—manufacturing.
Today, host Kevin Blevins talks to Rahul Rughani, Chief Systems Engineer at Arkisys Inc, a US-based startup focused on developing infrastructure to support this burgeoning field of emerging space-oriented actors.
In this episode, you will learn about the multifaceted nature of Arkisys’ endeavor, from designing versatile port modules that can host an array of payloads to envisioning in-space manufacturing capabilities that could lead to the construction of massive structures hundreds of meters across. You will also get to hear more about Arkisys’ partnership with Siemens, utilizing cutting-edge technology like Siemens NX to design, model, and render their innovative concepts.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The concept of reconfiguration in space (5:52)
- The process of launching payloads onto the port module (10:51)
- The role of a systems engineer (16:18)
- Arkisys’ “Direct-to-Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)” contract with the US Space Force (21:01)
- Monetizing power in space (25:43)
- Radiation is a significant concern (30:27)
- Advice for budding entrepreneurs (36:00)
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Guest: Rahul Rughani
Rahul is a recent graduate of the University of Southern California, having received a doctorate in astronautical engineering. His dissertation was on orbital optimization techniques for spacecraft swarms. The focus of his research is to enable in-orbit manufacturing, satellite aggregation, and close-quarters robotic inspection of spacecraft, using swarms of small and medium sized satellites in Earth orbit. He has also worked as a systems engineer on CubeSat projects for the University of Southern California’s Space Engineering Research Center (SERC), and has performed in-depth analysis of past, present, and future methods of spacecraft Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) for the CONFERS consortium, through funding provided by DARPA. He is currently working with Arkisys to build an autonomous research outpost in low Earth orbit.
Host: Kevin Blevins
Kevin Blevins is the Portfolio Development Executive for SMB and Startup Companies and manages the Siemens Digital Industries Software Startup Program. He works with the Siemens sales organizations as well as Siemens Partners to engage and evangelize the Siemens Startup Program in the Americas. Kevin has spent more than 35 years in the Engineering and Manufacturing software industry. Prior to this he spent seven years in the automotive design industry. Kevin has been with Siemens for 33 years. During this time, he has held positions in Technical Support, Technical Sales Support Leadership, Sales Director for the Automotive Region, Partner Sales Executive, and his current position. Kevin has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI.
Arkisys is building one of the first Business Platforms in Space for new Technology Hosting, Satellite Integration, Assembly and Resupply. “The Port” is a lighthouse on orbit and a beacon to enable existing and new customers and markets in Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. The Arkisys Port supports scalable rapid prototyping, new payload and technology testing, assembly and integration of new free-flying space platforms, and destinations for orbital transfer vehicles and on-orbit assembly and manufacturing. Arkisys is unlocking undiscovered markets and enabling pioneering technologies for the new ecosystem of space development. For more information, visit Space Outpost | Arkisys | Los Alamitos
Pioneers: Startups from Dreams to Reality
Ideas alone can’t change the world. It takes grit, and serious funding. In Pioneers, host Kevin Blevins sits down with startup founders to discuss the startup lifestyle- from concept to execution- and the big ideas that fuel these pioneers. From the future of farming to autonomous flight, there’s no frontier too far.
