Space as a Platform
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The document outlines a vision for the 2030s centered around twelve technological themes inspired by Greek mythology, emphasizing the role of space as a SaaS platform for innovation. It discusses the need for investment in space technologies and the potential economic benefits, while highlighting challenges such as governmental agendas and property rights in space. Furthermore, it calls for incentivizing entrepreneurs and directing funding towards critical areas like energy recapture and robotics to ensure future advancements.
Space as a Platform
- 1. The 12 TECH THESES OF THE 2030S A think tank for building humanity’s future
- 2. 12 Greek Titans of tech: past & future I. Coeus: intelligence and farsight II. Crius: heavenly constellations III. Cronus: time and the ages IV. Hyperion: light V. Iapetus: mortal life span VI. Mnemosyne: memory & remembrance VII. Oceanus: all the salt water on earth VIII. Phoebe: prophetic radiance IX. Rhea: fertillity and motherhood X. Tethys: fresh water on earth XI. Theia: shining XII. Themis: divine law and order I. Video as an App II. Music as a Control Mechanism III. Biologic Intelligence Disrupting AI IV. Space as a SAAS Platform V. Automatic Health Optimization VI. Personal Hedge Fund VII. Personal Power Stations VIII. Self-organizing Biorobotics IX. Autonomous Internet of Things X. Reality Retail XI. Interstellar Sports Wearables XII. Superhuman Modifications 2 The past The future
- 3. IV. Space as a saas platform Commercial appeal Discover new technological innovation valued on Earth Grows global GDP Future of entrepreneurship DE-RISK EXTINCTION We’re overdue for an extinction-level event Only had 2 days notice for the Sept 7, 2016 near-Earth asteroid COMPETITIVE THREATS From misaligned governmental agendas From private enterprise monopolistic control Why go to space in the first place? exploration Because it’s hard (John F. Kennedy) To reach for new heights and reveal the unknown so that what we do and learn may benefit all humankind (NASA) 3
- 4. IV. Space as a saas platform PHASE 1: ACCESS Levels of capital investment required at each phase of build out. PHASE 2: SURVIVAL PHASE 3: BASE INFRASTRUCTURE • Capital Required: % of national budget ($B+) • (USA, China, Russia, Europe, Japan) • Capital Required: large cap VC ($100M+) • Hard Tech: first attempt may not work • Invest in novel tech that shows promise • Double-down on those that pass tests • Capital Required: seed VC ($1M+) • Reuse existing tech from Earth • Investment in new use cases for space 4
- 5. IV. Space as a saas platform Cheap & Fast Access $100/kg of payload, every 15 minutes ROBOTICS manufacturing & 3d printing When “Push to PROD” means “launch a rocket into space” Life support Shelter, H20, Food, Gravity Energy Solar, synthetic photosynthesis, excess energy capture Raw materials Asteroid mining, launching from Earth communication Internet, P2P Material processing Zero-gravity smelting, molding, casting, pressurizing, fluid dynamics Waste disposal New garbage, existing space debris Transforming raw materials into finished goods by machines for the use in more complex manufacturing operations BIOLOGIC INTELLIGENCE Many complex sensory inputs to automated motor output
- 6. IV. Space as a saas platform So where are we today? 6 Tourism • Elderly and people with surgical implants can withstand gravitational forces GOVERNMENTAL • Most of the talent and capital locked inside public sector • But, NASA’s space budget was +$1.3B in 2016 • Luxembourg investing $227M in asteroid mining (DSI, Planetary Resources) • Japan $290M Venus probe • China mimicking the USA • Trump & BREXIT impact? More Launches • From private companies including SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab Property rights • 1967 Outer Space Treaty is still the basis of international law • Need new legislation for free property rights for a space land grab Debris • Companies are required to clean up after themselves • No enforcement • Only one startup just getting started entrepreneurs • Not enough space builders because social & ecom VC sucks away our best talent
- 7. IV. Space as a saas platform The number of private space startups has grown 4x in 7 years but it’s not enough. 7 200 50 2017 2010 *Source: Space Angels Network
- 8. IV. Space as a saas platform What space startups are already being funded? 8 Space Angels Network (EARLY stage) Planetary Resources: asteroid mining Accion Systems: satellite propulsion Planet: Earth imagery NanoRacks: any payload into space Kepler Communications: satellite telecom World View Enterprises: space balloons Space Adventures: tourism Vector Space: cheap access (50kg) Omni Earth: Earth imagery Astrobotic: Moon delivery, purchase space Analytical Space: satellite telecom (lasers) Xcor: reusable rocket engines Zero G: weightlessness (tourism) Other private funding (late stage) SpaceX ($Bs): reusable rockets, Mars travel Blue Origin ($Bs): reusable rockets, tourism OneWeb ($Bs): space internet, satellite mfg Deep Space Industries ($Ms): asteroid mining Moon Express ($Ms): Moon travel Access 69% Survival 19% Infrastructure 12%
- 9. NO IV. Space as a saas platform But is the funding being spread across the right areas? 9 Not Investing in critical areas of space • Energy Recapture • Survival – Food 2.0 – Smart Clothes – Gravity – Automatic Health Optimization • Biologic Intelligence for Robotics • Self-Building Robots • Material Processing & 4D Printing • Zero-G Manufacturing
- 10. PROvide Funding • Find LPs who want to enable the next Industrial Revolution (in Space) • Create multiple funds focused on different aspects of the infrastructure • Actually invest IV. Space as a saas platform If we don’t do something about it, it simply won’t happen. 10 1 2 Incentivize Entrepreneurs • Show the product gaps so they know the most valuable pieces not yet built • Give them a high-level roadmap of where to start • Plug them in with the right mentors and experienced entrepreneurs for help