U.S. National Security Investment, Fundings: Voyager Space, Sentra, BWR Innovations
01 February 2023 - A Weekly Publication by New North Ventures
In the latest Securing our Future podcast, host Jeremy Hitchcock sits down with Marc Losito for an engaging conversation on U.S. National Security Investment and the Great Power Artificial Intelligence Competition.
Marc Losito is a graduate of Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, where he focused on the intersection of technology and national security policy. Marc is also an alumnus of Norwich University, an active-duty U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5, and has served in the military and Special Operations Forces for 22 years specializing in strategy and policy, counterterrorism, irregular warfare, and intelligence operations.
Losito explores his path to Army special operations, his biggest takeaways from his military experience, and the application of technology in national security.
Listen below on Spotify.
Founded: 2019
Key People: Co-founded by Matthew Kuta and Dylan Taylor
Elevator Pitch: Space-focused holding company intended to increase vertical integration and mission capability.
Funding: The company raised $80.20 million of Series B venture funding from NewSpace Capital, Midway Venture Partners and Industrious Ventures on January 27, 2023. Seraphim Capital and 10 other investors also participated in the round.
Founded: 2021
Key People: Co-founded by Yoav Regev, Asaf Kochan, Ron Reiter, and Yair Cohen
Elevator Pitch: Cybersecurity platform designed to enable cloud-driven organizations to regain control and secure their data. The company focuses on improving data security practices within the cloud and mitigates the risks of damaging data leaks by providing comprehensive visibility into critical data assets.
Funding: The company raised $30 million of Series A venture funding in a deal led by Standard Investments on January 31, 2023. Other undisclosed investors also participated in the round.
Founded: 2018
Key People: Founded by Joel Jorgenson Ph.D
Elevator Pitch: Temperature monitoring and fuel cell technology designed to serve the hospitality, health care, military, and vehicle industry.
Funding: The company raised $250,000 of venture funding from an undisclosed investor on January 30, 2023.
China Wants to Launch Over 200 Spacecraft in 2023
In 2022, China performed 64 orbital rocket launches and finished building its own space station, but the country is planning an even busier year for 2023. China's main space contractor and Long March rocket maker, CASC, announced on Jan. 18 that it is planning more than 60 launches this year
CASC plans to launch more than 200 spacecraft, though only a few of the planned missions are listed. Launching satellites for national civil space infrastructure, weather, a geostationary synthetic aperture radar, and three backup satellites for Beidou — China's own version of the navigation and positioning GPS system
The country's largest rocket, the Long March 5, will also be in action again for the first time since launching the Tianwen 1 Mars mission and Chang'e 5 lunar sample return in 2020.
Biden Nears Win as Japan, Netherlands Back China Chip Controls
Japan and the Netherlands are poised to join the US in limiting China’s access to advanced semiconductor machinery, forging a powerful alliance that will undercut Beijing’s ambitions to build its own domestic chip capabilities.
John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, confirmed that Dutch and Japanese officials were meeting with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
There is no plan for a public announcement of the restrictions, and once an agreement is struck, actual implementation could take months as the two countries finalize legal arrangements, according to people familiar with the matter.
Rolls-Royce Teases Small Nuclear Reactor
Rolls-Royce tweeted a new image of its "Micro-Reactor" that could use nuclear energy to power spaceships and lunar facilities.
The Micro-Reactor will house uranium particles underneath multiple containment levels so they can withstand the intense conditions that accompany space travel. This could be a much more fuel-efficient propulsion method than the chemical rockets currently sending people to space.
Rolls-Royce thinks its development of nuclear reactors for space can help de-carbonization on Earth. The technology could have applications in Earth-based areas like defense and shipping.
Listen below to the Securing our Future podcast on Spotify.