Who is observable Space, the young shoot that wants to revolutionize the use of telescopes?

The use of telescopes can be complex, both for professionals and enthusiasts. While access to space is democratized, two startups have decided to merge to create an integrated solution simplifying the observation of space. Here is observable space.

A solution combining hardware and software

Generally, Telescopes users must deal with different poorly coordinated software and not always well integrated. This makes their exploitation complex, even for seasoned staff, sometimes with several hours necessary to obtain a single image.

Planewave Instruments, the only manufacturer of telescopes based in the United States, and Oursky, software platform dedicated to space observation data, decided to unite their strength to overcome these difficulties. They gave birth to observable Space, which combines software and hardware.

“” Many of the most precious companies in the world, such as Apple or Nvidia, are combinations of hardware and software platforms. Companies that are only interested in one of the two can have great intrinsic value, but the combination of the two in today’s world is extremely powerful “Comments Jordan Noone, general partner of Embedded Ventures, who has just invest in this young company.

Planewave’s hardware expertise will prove to be precious, the company having provided high quality telescopes to customers like NASA, US Space Force and universities. For its part, Oursky was founded by the very seasoned Dan Roelker, vice-president of software engineering at SpaceX from 2015 to 2019.

A booming market

Observable space offers the monitoring and location of orbit objectsa service that has become crucial as illustrated by a demonstration carried out at Mont Wilson Observatory by the company. His team quickly located a satellite there whose operator had lost radio contact, demonstrating the effectiveness of this integrated solution.

Beyond tracking, The company innovates by making it possible to connect several telescopes between them to reproduce the capacities of a more powerful instrumentwhile developing laser communications with space. These technologies naturally find their application in the field of defense and intelligence, as evidenced by the investment of in-q-tel, the CIA investment fund, during its recent round.

A strategic positioning while our dependence on space infrastructure continues to grow: the constellations are increasing, and more and more emerging players in the New Space develop orbital solutions. The young shoot uses, for the moment, a hundred people. But it aims to grow quickly. Note that the platform keeps the name Pouersky, while the telescopes remain marketed under the Planewave brand.

• In the United States, Planewave Instruments and Oursky startups merge to give birth to observable Space.
• The company wishes to offer an integrated sky observation solution, combining hardware and software.
• It is a growing market, while access to terrestrial orbit is democratized.