Eye of the Dragon

Balerion Senior Associate Aidan Daoussis sits down with Alex Hilger, Founder & CEO of Space Grid AI, to discuss optimizing shipyard operations with digital twins. Space Grid AI develops software that models space, equipment, and scheduling in heavy industry to improve resource allocation. The platform addresses inefficiencies in shipbuilding and maintenance by digitizing workflows that are currently managed with manual tools.

Timestamped Overview00:00 – Introduction and overview of Space Grid AI01:00 – Founder background and experience at Blue Origin02:00 – The core problem: allocating space, equipment, and labor over time03:30 – Limitations of current scheduling tools and manual processes04:00 – Digital twin with time dimension as the core innovation05:00 – Current product capabilities vs. future vision with automated sensing06:00 – Why maritime was chosen as the initial market07:00 – Global shipbuilding imbalance and U.S. capacity decline09:00 – Shipbuilding process from raw materials to final assembly11:00 – Focus on maintenance and repair vs. new builds12:30 – Global competition: Korea, China, and industrial policy differences16:00 – U.S. shipbuilding inefficiencies and cultural challenges20:00 – Technical architecture: GIS, spatial computing, and digital twins22:00 – Time-based simulation and integration with scheduling tools24:30 – Early customer results and efficiency gains26:00 – Real-world breakdowns in scheduling and resource conflicts28:00 – Vision for AI-driven optimization and decision support31:00 – Predictive conflict detection and safety applications34:00 – Go-to-market strategy and adoption challenges36:30 – Industry modernization and infrastructure gaps41:00 – Competitive landscape including Palantir and incumbents46:00 – Limits of scope: not replacing work packages but complementing them48:00 – Root causes of U.S. shipbuilding decline50:00 – Geopolitical considerations and commercial vs. military fleets52:00 – Workforce shortages and importance of maritime education54:00 – Key takeaway: large untapped efficiency in heavy industry

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Balerion Senior Associate Aidan Daoussis sits down with Harrison Box, Founder & CEO of Paladin Space, to discuss orbital debris removal. Paladin Space is developing a reusable, multi-capture system for removing fragments of space debris from orbit. The discussion covers debris risk, Kessler syndrome, defense applications, in-orbit recycling, and the company’s planned milestones.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 – Introduction to Paladin Space and the orbital debris problem02:57 – Current satellite congestion and limits of deorbiting systems04:29 – How Paladin’s Triton payload captures multiple debris objects09:03 – Mission repeatability, restocking, and future in-orbit recycling10:47 – Propulsion, fuel savings, and customer value model13:35 – Legal ownership and regulatory issues in debris removal15:22 – Identifying debris origin, material, and ownership17:23 – Customer markets: constellations, space stations, defense, and insurance21:04 – Kessler syndrome and the risk of cascading orbital collisions24:16 – Space warfare, debris weaponization, and plausible deniability29:00 – Scaling Paladin’s response capability and rapid launch operations31:49 – Global space access, AUKUS positioning, and emerging space ecosystems33:31 – Fleet-based debris removal and station-based Triton restocking35:59 – Small debris, large debris, and Paladin’s role alongside competitors37:13 – Founding story, Australia’s space ecosystem, and UK expansion41:40 – Barriers to entry: unknown debris geometry, spin rates, and testing45:47 – Turning orbital debris into feedstock for in-space manufacturing49:30 – Upcoming milestones: ISS Bishop Airlock test and 2027 market entry50:36 – Future orbital infrastructure, data centers, and satellite growth53:24 – Final takeaway: avoidance is not a permanent solution

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Balerion Advisor Doug McAdams sits down with Yanni Barghouty, Founder & CEO of Cosmic Shielding Corporation, to discuss radiation shielding. Cosmic Shielding Corporation is developing Plasteel, a radiation-shielding material and integration platform for space electronics, spacecraft systems, and future human spaceflight applications. The company is addressing radiation as a limiting factor for modern compute, COTS electronics, lunar systems, and long-duration space operations.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 – Introduction to Cosmic Shielding Corporation and the radiation problem in space

01:00 – Yanni’s background, Georgia Tech, startup experience, and family connection to physics

02:20 – Founding insight: space infrastructure had not solved radiation shielding

04:30 – Early material concept: hydrogen-rich nanocomposite polymer shielding

05:30 – Radiation as a barrier to human and robotic space operations

07:00 – Limits of radiation-hardened electronics and the need for modern compute in orbit

10:30 – Shielding as an enabling technology rather than a compliance checkbox

12:00 – Flight heritage: Jetson-based flight computer and reduced functional interrupts in orbit

13:20 – Secondary radiation, outdated models, and modern nanoscale electronics challenges

16:30 – ISS testing, Axiom mission, AFRL work, TACFI, and DoD program development

18:45 – Plasteel material properties, nanoparticle integration, machinability, and thermal interface use

21:30 – Use cases: enclosure swaps, spot shielding, subsystem protection, and end-to-end integration

24:40 – Terrestrial and adjacent applications including nuclear, RTGs, aviation, and high-altitude systems

26:30 – Radiation environments across the Moon, LEO, GEO, MEO, and Van Allen belt transit

29:00 – Customer base across NASA, commercial space, defense, VLEO, drones, and aviation

31:20 – Current flight systems, cameras, flight computers, and power control applications

32:10 – Business model: analysis, shielding design, material supply, and custom fabrication

34:50 – Company footprint, Huntsville HQ, clean room, team size, and manufacturing approach

36:40 – Accelerator testing, qualification burden, and building credibility in radiation physics

40:30 – Space infrastructure, VC interest, and scaling critical enabling technologies

43:30 – Productization goal: making radiation protection plug-and-play for space operators

44:40 – 2035 vision: Plasteel as a standard material for orbital compute and ruggedized structures

46:25 – Human spaceflight applications and upcoming work related to Artemis de-risking

48:00 – Scaling plan, Huntsville expansion, qualification testing, and customer onboarding

49:35 – Series A round and strategic investor focus

50:45 – Upcoming CERN data, IEEE/NSREC, IAC, LET limitations, and nanodosimetric effects

53:00 – Closing discussion: adapting COTS hardware for space and contact information

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Balerion Advisor Doug McAdams sits down with Mari Anne Snow, CEO of Eascra Biotech, to discuss Janus-based nanomaterials (JBNs) as a novel form of drug delivery, and in-space biomanufacturing. Eascra is developing Janus-based nanoparticles for targeted therapeutic delivery, with early applications in osteoarthritis, kidney disease, and solid tumors. The conversation examines how the platform works, why microgravity improves particle formation, and how the company is building both Earth-based and in-space manufacturing pathways.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 – Introduction to Eascra Biotech and Mari Anne Snow’s path to co-founding the company with UConn professor Yupeng Chen02:23 – Chen’s scientific background and the origins of the Janus-based monomer platform inspired by DNA05:03 – How the Janus-based nanoparticle works, including targeting, tissue penetration, endosomal delivery, and immune profile09:37 – The broader drug-delivery landscape and why customizable delivery systems remain a bottleneck in personalized medicine14:19 – Delivery routes, toxicity reduction, and how the platform may improve existing therapeutics by targeting them more precisely18:19 – Eascra’s lead osteoarthritis program, its strategy to advance toward clinical trials, and the role of pharma partnerships21:51 – How the nanoparticles are manufactured, from monomer design and tube assembly to cargo loading and targeting optimization26:01 – Why Eascra began working in microgravity, NASA’s in-space manufacturing support, and what the company learned from early ISS missions30:57 – How microgravity improves particle uniformity, loading, and efficacy, and why Eascra views the space-made product as a 2.0 version32:22 – Partnerships across NASA, CASIS, AFWERX, NSF, pharma, and emerging commercial space infrastructure providers36:21 – Current ISS operations, crew-enabled production, and the long-term goal of automated GMP-compliant in-space manufacturing40:02 – Regulatory strategy, including early engagement with the FDA and framing microgravity as a new manufacturing environment rather than a new standard43:05 – Particle stability, mRNA protection, and the potential to reduce or eliminate cold-chain requirements for certain therapeutics44:23 – Eascra’s long-term roadmap: bringing an Earth-based product to market while developing a supply chain and pathway for space-manufactured therapeutics49:35 – Why building a preclinical biotech company is hard, why space is only one additional challenge, and Snow’s closing reflections on collaboration across the sector

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Balerion Analyst Barbara Savage sits down with Gary Orosy, Marketing Professor at SMU Cox School of Business, to discuss AI in business, defense, and space. Gary explains how AI has evolved from an analytical tool into a broad platform for research, workflow automation, and new product development across both academia and industry. He also discusses how AI is reshaping enterprise operations, defense systems, and the future of space infrastructure.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 – Introduction and Gary Orosy’s background in IT, marketing, and AI04:05 – Consulting career, pricing strategy, and organizational change as the core business challenge06:44 – How Gary connected with Balerion and why AI matters for space and nuclear investments09:02 – When AI became a major focus and how he uses it in the classroom and commercial work16:09 – Where value is forming in AI across infrastructure, models, and applications21:01 – AI, productivity, labor markets, and why enterprise adoption has lagged expectations27:51 – Which roles may be most exposed to AI and how agentic systems may change middle management30:12 – AI in defense, autonomous systems, battlefield decision-making, and dual-use technologies35:09 – AI in space, satellite operations, orbital infrastructure, and space-based manufacturing40:13 – Ethics, autonomy, and governance in high-stakes AI systems43:43 – Why foundational knowledge still matters when working with AI46:15 – Where AI sits on the adoption curve and what makes enterprise implementation successful49:43 – Common misconceptions business leaders have about AI51:42 – Why human judgment, empathy, and leadership remain important54:04 – Bold prediction on space-based data centers and where to follow Gary’s work

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Balerion Advisor Doug McAdams sits down with W. David Woods, Apollo historian, author, and researcher, to discuss how Apollo flew to the Moon. Woods explains the orbital mechanics, spacecraft architecture, navigation systems, landing procedures, and mission constraints that made Apollo possible. He also discusses how Apollo’s technical achievements shaped computing, communications, and planetary science.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 – Introduction to W. David Woods and his work on Apollo history, the Apollo Flight Journal, and How Apollo Flew to the Moon 02:56 – Bird’s-eye view of Apollo mission design and the basic logic of traveling to the Moon and back 07:48 – Saturn V staging and the final spacecraft stack: command module, service module, and lunar module 11:08 – Entering lunar orbit, matching the Moon’s motion, and why burns are needed to stay at the Moon rather than free-return to Earth 13:04 – How the lunar module separates, descends from lunar orbit, and performs the landing burn 16:27 – Lunar module ascent from the Moon and rendezvous with the command-service module in lunar orbit 22:25 – Transferring crew and samples, shedding mass, and using the service module to begin the return to Earth 26:05 – Service module separation, atmospheric reentry, heat shield performance, and parachute recovery in the ocean 29:07 – Human factors, test pilot skill sets, crew roles, and how much of Apollo was automated versus crew-controlled 36:07 – Precursor lunar probes, communications systems, and what NASA knew about the Moon before landing humans there 40:38 – Redundancy versus low mass, Apollo’s tight engineering margins, and examples of elegant lightweight design choices 43:34 – Apollo as a Cold War national effort, the scale of NASA’s budget, onboard life support realities, and the practical problem of waste management in space 48:05 – Lunar terrain, navigation on the surface, Apollo 15’s anorthosite discovery, and Apollo’s lasting contribution to planetary science

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Balerion Senior Associate Aidan Daoussis sits down with Jon Quick, CEO of Launchpad, to discuss AI-driven manufacturing automation. Launchpad is developing software and modular robotics to reduce the cost and complexity of factory automation, particularly for small and mid-sized manufacturers. The discussion covers labor shortages, adaptable robotics, and the role of automation in rebuilding industrial capacity.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 – Introduction and Jon Quick’s background from consulting and private equity to venture and founding Launchpad.

06:15 – What Launchpad does: CAD-driven software, AI, and modular robots to simplify and reduce the cost of automation.

09:30 – Core manufacturing bottlenecks: labor shortages and inflexible legacy automation systems.

12:35 – Why iteration speed matters more than “perfect design” and examples from defense tech.

13:45 – Customer profile: startups vs defense primes and working within ITAR and secure environments.

15:15 – When to adopt automation and why Launchpad reframes it as a low-risk operational decision.

17:15 – Where demand is strongest: defense, space, and general industrial assembly tasks.

19:00 – Scaling across industries: common capabilities vs specialized constraints (e.g., food, medical).

20:40 – U.S. vs Europe: cultural differences in startup execution and engineering philosophy.

22:20 – History of U.S. manufacturing dominance and decline, and implications for reshoring.

27:10 – The “three computer problem,” digital twins, and the challenge of real-world deployment accuracy.

32:30 – Manufacturing excellence: lessons from Apple, Tesla, and first-principles design thinking.

38:20 – Launchpad’s moat: reducing integration complexity and compressing automation timelines.

41:30 – U.S. vs China: cost structure, scale advantages, and competitiveness in manufacturing.

45:00 – Policy recommendations: supply chains, scaling domestic companies, and investing in new factory models.

47:00 – Vision for the factory of the future: flexible, non-linear production enabled by robotics and mobility.

49:00 – Advice for the next generation: entrepreneurship, adaptability, and opportunities in physical industries.

52:30 – What success looks like for Launchpad: widespread adoption and frictionless automation deployment.

55:00 – Final reflections on career paths, adaptability, and long-term value creation.

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Balerion Senior Associate Aidan Daoussis sits down with Stef Crum, Founder & CEO of Reditus Space, to discuss reusable reentry vehicles. Reditus Space is developing reusable satellites that enable microgravity manufacturing and return payloads to Earth for refurbishment and reuse. The company is focused on reducing the cost of orbital logistics to unlock new commercial applications in space.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 – Introduction and overview of Reditus Space and its reusable satellite model01:12 – Why reentry has been historically limited and focused on data rather than physical return02:53 – Microgravity manufacturing and how altered physics enables new materials and structures05:00 – Transition from research to commercial applications and future logistics infrastructure06:38 – What drives widespread adoption of return capabilities and economic viability09:05 – Vehicle design, orbital profile, reentry process, and ocean recovery operations12:16 – Defense demand, hypersonics testing, and dual-use payload strategies15:30 – Founding story and motivation to rethink reentry efficiency18:20 – Y Combinator experience and applying startup principles to space hardware22:33 – Pharmaceutical and semiconductor applications and value density considerations29:22 – Heat shield design, ablative materials, and testing with NASA and simulations31:45 – Customer acquisition, sales cycles, and role as a logistics provider36:19 – Why the company is focused on cargo rather than crewed capsules38:14 – Mission duration, orbital flexibility, and reuse strategy42:08 – Technical challenges of reentry, including extreme heat and limited testing capability47:55 – Industry outlook, competitive landscape, and upcoming milestones including first launch window

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Balerion Senior Associate Aidan Daoussis sits down with Andrew Coors, Founder & CEO of Steelhead Composites, to discuss composite pressure vessels. Steelhead manufactures lightweight, high-strength composite overwrapped pressure vessels for aerospace, space, defense, and other demanding applications. The conversation covers how these tanks are built and tested, where they are used, and why supply chain capacity for this category is becoming strategically important.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 – Introduction to Steelhead Composites and overview of composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) and why lightweight pressure storage matters in aerospace and space.

01:16 – Core use cases for the tanks, including oxygen for military aircraft, xenon, argon, and krypton for satellite propulsion, and gases used in launch systems.

03:05 – Why pressure vessels are more critical and more common than most people realize, and why testing and reliability dominate the business.

07:06 – Discussion of Apollo 13, liquid oxygen versus compressed-gas systems, and why Steelhead focuses on high-pressure ambient-temperature applications rather than cryogenic tanks.

08:40 – Overview of certification and validation testing, including burst, cycle, bonfire, gunfire, drop, impact, flaw, and environmental tests.

12:10 – Why large customers usually do not build these tanks in-house, and how testing infrastructure and manufacturing know-how create barriers to entry.

14:20 – How Steelhead’s products extend beyond space into underwater systems, scuba, robotics, automotive suspension, and maritime racing.

18:08 – FCC-driven demand for active satellite deorbiting and how demisable tank designs support end-of-life spacecraft operations and reentry safety.

25:08 – Tank size range, common product classes, and why custom sizes and pressures create significant certification time and cost.

28:10 – How the tanks are manufactured, from seamless aluminum liners and spin forming to CNC filament winding and lightweight optimization.

32:17 – Product variety, installed base, and discussion of robustness, drop resistance, safety standards, and specialized testing for oxygen systems.

38:05 – Tank life cycles, cycle testing, leak-before-burst behavior, and how refill logistics work across different gases and end markets.

42:16 – Defense applications including composite rocket motor casings, hypersonic systems, interceptors, and the shift toward space defense and missile demand.

46:18 – Scaling strategy, RFP volume, production economics, lead times, and the main bottlenecks in filament winding and testing capacity.

55:18 – Closing reflections on the condition of the U.S. industrial base, Steelhead’s role in rebuilding manufacturing capacity, and the company’s outlook.

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Balerion Senior Associate Aidan Daoussis sits down with Samir Menon, Founder & CEO of Dexterity, to discuss physical AI and robotic dexterity. Dexterity is developing AI systems for robots that can reason about the physical world and perform complex tasks across logistics, aviation, and other enterprise environments. The discussion focuses on world models, force control, safety, deployment, and how robotic systems are moving from pilots into real commercial operations.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 – Introduction to Dexterity and the company’s focus on robotic dexterity00:01 – Samir Menon’s Stanford background and the idea of transferring human skills into robots00:04 – Defining robotic intelligence through world models and skill models00:06 – Hardware-agnostic robotics and current deployments across logistics and aviation00:09 – Early use cases in packaging, logistics, and airport baggage handling00:11 – Limits on progress today, with safety identified as the main bottleneck00:13 – Precision versus intelligence and the path toward more autonomous factories00:16 – Robot form factors, payload requirements, and why many robot types will coexist00:17 – How workers respond to robots, with safety and working conditions as primary concerns00:21 – Humanoids, generalization across robot hardware, and Dexterity’s force-based models00:23 – Labor impact, long-term workforce changes, and AI as a productivity tool00:27 – Robot manufacturing scale, deployment timelines, and how adoption has changed recently00:30 – Selling to enterprise customers through unit economics and long-term co-development00:33 – Dexterity’s recent growth, the launch of Foresight, and progress in long-horizon reasoning00:35 – Attrition reduction, continuity in operations, and how robots support human workers00:37 – Hardware refresh cycles, reliability, and why enterprise customers value stable operations00:40 – Safety outside fenced factory settings and the challenge of cage-free deployment00:43 – Failure modes, interpretability, and Dexterity’s transactional safety approach00:45 – Examples of impressive dual-arm force control and heavy-object manipulation00:47 – Facility design, custom machines versus robots, and where robots fit economically00:49 – Competitive advantages in world models, multimodal sensing, and safety-first AI00:51 – Final takeaway on world models as a foundation for physical AI

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