YC
You Don’t Have To Be A Billionaire To Launch Satellites
@ Y Combinator
10/31/24
Takeaways
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
Astranis launched their first commercial satellite into space, marking a significant breakthrough for the aerospace industry with their smaller, low-cost telecom satellites.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
Astranis began as a small startup in a downtown San Francisco apartment, demonstrating that you don't need billions to start a hard tech company.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
The misconception that you need to be a billionaire or raise tons of money to start a hard tech company is false; companies like Astranis prove that it's possible to start with limited resources.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
In 2016, Y Combinator funded three aerospace companies, including Astranis, which have since become billion-dollar companies, showing that it's possible to succeed without a billionaire founder.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
Astranis set ambitious goals during their Y Combinator batch to ensure they could attract investor attention, knowing they needed to demonstrate significant progress to secure funding.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
From the beginning, Astranis committed to building a satellite that would work in space, aiming to prove their capabilities at the lowest possible cost.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
During their Y Combinator program, Astranis aimed to build a prototype satellite in three months, a task that typically takes years for other companies.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
Astranis built their prototype satellite in an apartment, demonstrating that fundamental elements can be simple and flexible when creating a demo rather than a production application.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
Astranis built their first prototype satellite quickly and successfully showcased it at demo day, which became a key example for new founders on what can be achieved in three months with ambition and hard work.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
Astranis demonstrated that their project is not just a science experiment but a viable business that can be profitable, addressing investor concerns effectively during their pitch.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
John practiced his pitch 50 times over three days, which helped Astranis raise one of the largest seed rounds at Y Combinator, enabling them to launch a satellite into space.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
Despite the high costs associated with space, Astranis managed to build their spacecraft in a small apartment using basic infrastructure, showcasing that significant resources aren't always necessary.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
Astranis created a clean room using PVC piping and shower curtains to ensure a controlled environment for their space hardware, demonstrating resourcefulness in their operations.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
After eight years, Astranis has grown to over 400 employees and is now operating from a historic building at Pier 70, which is becoming a tech hub.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
Astranis has in-house testing capabilities, including thermal vacuum chambers, allowing them to simulate space conditions and test their satellites before launch, which enhances their operational efficiency.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
Astranis is launching four satellites on a dedicated SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking a significant milestone as one of the first companies to secure a dedicated launch for their satellites.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
The company is not only focused on launching satellites but is also developing next-generation systems and balancing multiple projects to ensure continued growth and innovation.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
10/31/24
@ Y Combinator
You don't need to be Elon Musk to start a hard tech company; with domain experience, a great co-founder, a scrappy mindset, and perseverance, regular people can launch hard tech companies too.