Bridgit Mendler, known for her roles in Disney Channel shows and her music career, is now venturing into the space industry with her startup Northwood Space. The company aims to revolutionize satellite data transmission by mass producing ground stations, also known as teleports, which connect to satellites in space. Mendler, along with her husband Griffin Cleverly and head of software Shaurya Luthra, plans to make ground stations more accessible and readily available for satellite operators.
The Vision: A Data Highway Between Earth and Space
Mendler’s vision for Northwood Space is to create a “data highway” between Earth and space. While space technology has advanced in many ways, the process of sending and receiving data to and from satellites remains challenging. Finding an access point to contact satellites can be difficult, and Northwood aims to address this issue by focusing on mass-producing ground stations.
Attracting High-Profile Investors
Already, Northwood Space has attracted significant attention from venture investors. The startup has raised approximately $6 million in initial funding from investors such as Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, and Also Capital. This support from high-profile investors demonstrates the potential and promise of Northwood’s innovative approach to satellite data transmission.
The Co-Founders and Their Expertise
Northwood Space is led by a team of experienced individuals. Mendler’s husband, Griffin Cleverly, serves as the startup’s chief technology officer. Both Cleverly and head of software Shaurya Luthra have engineering backgrounds, with previous experience at companies like Lockheed Martin and Mitre Corporation. Luthra has also spent nearly four years building the ground station network of satellite imagery venture Capella Space. With their expertise, the team is well-equipped to tackle the challenges in the space industry.
The Origin of Northwood
The name “Northwood” comes from a lake in New Hampshire where Mendler conceived the idea for the company. During the Covid-19 pandemic, while spending time with her family, Mendler and her team built antennas out of materials they found at Home Depot. They successfully received data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites, which further fueled their passion for creating a groundbreaking solution in the space industry.
Bringing the Impacts of Space Home
Mendler emphasizes the importance of the ground-side in bringing the impacts of space closer to people. By improving satellite data transmission, Northwood aims to make space technology more accessible and beneficial to individuals. The startup’s focus on mass-producing ground stations aligns with this goal, as it allows satellite operators to receive data reliably and efficiently.
Fast Production and Deployment Flexibility
Northwood aims to design ground stations with fast production and deployment flexibility in mind. The startup wants to deliver ground stations within days, rather than months, so that satellite operators can quickly adapt to changing needs on Earth. This approach eliminates the need for satellite operators to spend significant time reconfiguring their networks, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.
Resolving Bottlenecks in Shared Ground Stations
One of the challenges Northwood aims to address is the bottleneck in shared ground stations. Many satellite operators struggle to find availability on existing teleports, hindering their ability to transmit data effectively. Northwood plans to target services for satellites in low Earth orbit initially, providing an alternative for companies that do not want to invest in building their own ground station networks. This approach will increase availability and accessibility for satellite operators.
A Similar Experience to Cloud Computing
Northwood envisions its customers having a similar experience to those who rent server capacity from cloud computing providers like Amazon Web Services or Microsoft’s Azure. By avoiding the capital expenditure of building and operating their own ground stations, satellite companies can be more responsive to emerging use cases and missions. This approach allows for greater flexibility and scalability in the space industry.
Future Plans and First Test
Northwood Space plans to conduct its first test connecting to a spacecraft in orbit later this year. This milestone will mark an important step in the startup’s journey towards revolutionizing satellite data transmission. With the support of investors and a dedicated team, Northwood is poised to make a significant impact in the space industry.
In Conclusion
Bridgit Mendler’s startup, Northwood Space, is set to revolutionize satellite data transmission by mass producing ground stations. With a focus on fast production, deployment flexibility, and resolving bottlenecks in shared ground stations, Northwood aims to make satellite data more accessible and reliable. The company’s vision for a “data highway” between Earth and space aligns with Mendler’s passion for bringing the impacts of space closer to people. With high-profile investors and a team of experienced individuals, Northwood is well-positioned to make waves in the space industry.