Basalt’s Plan to Hack a Decommissioned Satellite for Space-Specific OS Installation

Basalt Technologies, a space startup that began in a shed behind a Los Angeles dentist’s office, is making waves in the industry with its ambitious plans to revolutionize space technology. Co-founded by Alex Choi and Maximillian Bhatti, the startup is on a mission to develop a space-specific operating system that will change the way satellites are controlled and operated.

Choi and Bhatti, both with backgrounds in physics and engineering, came together after facing setbacks in their respective careers due to the pandemic. Their shared vision led them to create Basalt Technologies, with the goal of addressing the challenges of legacy hardware and software in space missions.

The startup’s operating system, called Dispatch, is designed to enable satellite operators to control and coordinate satellites from different fleets with ease. This system will allow for autonomous spacecraft tasking and rapid re-tasking of on-orbit assets, providing a level of operational flexibility never seen before in mission operations.

To bring their vision to life, Basalt recently closed a $3.5 million seed round led by Initialized Capital, with support from other prominent venture capital firms. The company is now gearing up to attempt a groundbreaking feat: hacking into a derelict satellite and flying it around in orbit to demonstrate the capabilities of their technology.

With plans to expand their team and secure their first revenue, Basalt is already in talks with ten missions, including spacecraft in development and hardware already in orbit. The startup’s innovative approach to space technology is poised to make a significant impact on the industry, ushering in a new era of software-defined operations in space.