Edward Ge – Co-founder & CEO, Aethero. Building the Nvidia of space: why edge compute, autonomy, and distributed satellite clusters change everything. 

Episode Snapshot

Aethero’s Edward Ge joins Callye to unpack the next wave of space: pushing real compute to orbit so satellites can process data and act autonomously instead of waiting on ground links. We dig into why most spacecraft still run on ancient processors, what it takes to harden COTS GPUs for radiation, and how distributed “orbital data centers” unlock defense and commercial missions faster and cheaper.

Topics We Cover

• Why on-orbit edge computing beats “download everything” architectures
• Hardening COTS compute (radiation, thermal, power) for real missions
• Distributed clusters in space: orchestration, reliability, and use cases
• Funding timing and building in public with defense customers
• What’s actually launching next and how fast iteration happens in space

Timestamped Highlights

• 00:00 | Welcome and setup — “edge compute in orbit” premise.
• 02:18 | Why satellites still run decades-old processors; the Moore’s Law gap in space. 
• 05:42 | Consumer device vs. spacecraft life cycles—designing for 7–10 years without freezing tech. 
• 07:02 | Fundraising cadence: closed in November, announced in June—why timing matters in defense. 
• 10:51 | Hardening COTS compute: radiation, thermal paths, and redundancy. 
• 14:51 | From single nodes to clusters: building “orbital data centers.” 
• 17:31 | “There are really only two customers in space right now: telecom and defense.” 
• 20:37 | Advice to young founders: why shipping fast trumps credentials. 
• 22:52 | Closing thoughts & how Aethero is sequencing the next launches. 

Resources & Links

• Aethero — https://www.aethero.com/
• Aethero $8.4M seed (press release) — Business Wire
• Kratos Constellations: “4 Takeaways: Aethero CEO on Building Space-Grade Computers” — summary of Ed’s thesis on space compute
  kratosspace.com

Callye Keen and Bret Boyd discuss the challenges and opportunities in the manufacturing sector, particularly in relation to supply chain management and defense manufacturing. They explore the importance of connecting small manufacturers, the role of technology and AI in procurement, and the need for a robust ecosystem to support manufacturing growth. Boyd shares insights from his experience in the military and how it informs his approach to building Sustainment, a company focused on improving supplier discovery and connectivity in the manufacturing space. The discussion also touches on compliance challenges and the future of defense manufacturing in the U.S.

Takeaways

• People and mission excite us.
• Building teams and solving problems is essential.
• Manufacturing is a long tail of small businesses.
• Finding U.S. manufacturers can be frustratingly hard.
• The military's logistics and sustainment groups face supplier challenges.
• AI can help identify manufacturing suppliers.
• Ecosystem development is crucial for manufacturing growth.
• Compliance costs can be prohibitive for small manufacturers.
• National strength is tied to industrial strength.
• A manufacturing ready reserve could enhance defense capabilities.

Chapters

• 00:00 Connecting People and Purpose
• 04:27 The Challenge of Supply Chain Management
• 10:04 Navigating Manufacturing Complexities
• 15:43 Building Manufacturing Ecosystems
• 21:35 The Cost of Compliance in Defense Manufacturing
• 26:46 Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Tradition

Andy Markoff joins Callye to unpack why he left uniformed service to build Smack Technologies—and how his team is pursuing “decision dominance”: fusing multi‑modal data and using reinforcement learning to turn analysis into actions faster than adversaries. Andy explains where Smack sits in the modern “kill web,” why teaming beats rip‑and‑replace, and the biggest mistake he sees new defense founders make (hint: losing touch with the end user). The conversation closes with an honest look at culture—how to let scientists and engineers coexist under a shared mission without blowing deadlines or technical rigor. 

Key Takeaways

• Mission → Company: Andy’s service in Iraq and Afghanistan—and the pain of running the “kill chain in Office 365”—pushed him to build technology outside the wire and bring it back in.
• Where Smack fits: Not a data‑integration shop. Smack focuses on the model/reasoning layer (reinforcement learning) and the application layer that surfaces decisions—designed to plug into others’ data layers and UI/briefing tools (think Palantir for integration, OneBrief for CONOPS visualization).
• Teaming > Turf: Modern defense delivery splits across four components: data integration, model/reasoning, application, and an operating layer. No single vendor wins everywhere—learn to team or walk away.
• Don’t forget the user: The pendulum swung from “only talk to end users” to “only sell to program offices/Congress.” You must work all three—user, program office, and appropriators—or you’ll ship tech that gets funded but never used.
• Iterate in the field: Replace “perfect‑then‑procure” with rapid fielding, frequent touchpoints, and continuous deployment—even for HW/SW systems supporting AI at the edge.
• Comms in contested environments: A future fight breaks our assumption of fat pipes. Andy highlights secure 5G efforts (e.g., Cape) and calls for autonomous communications relay as an under‑served, solvable gap.
• Power is a feature: Edge systems die without expeditionary power—solve it early, not after the ruck weighs 200 lbs in batteries.
• Culture that ships: Balance “what’s right” (scientists minimizing tech debt) with “ship it” (engineers hitting milestones). Mission alignment is the glue.

Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 — Cold open & intro
• 00:23 — What Andy’s passionate about now: service, purpose, and the national‑defense mission
• 01:14 — Marine Corps to Marine Raider: finding purpose, then deciding to build from the outside
• 03:22 — 2016 Iraq: running the kill chain in Office 365 & the moment of founder clarity
• 05:56 — From PowerPoint and whiteboards to decision dominance
• 07:41 — The “four components” of defense decision tech & where Smack sits
• 10:46 — Teaming with Palantir/Anduril/OneBrief vs. competing with them
• 12:23 — What new entrants get wrong: forgetting end users (or only courting PMOs)
• 14:38 — Rapid fielding mindset: iterate with real users, not just SBIR slides
• 16:22 — Hardware as the house where AI lives; why iteration matters
• 18:18 — Startups to watch & the comms relay gap; secure 5G in the mix
• 20:32 — Moving data ≈ asking better questions; legacy links won’t carry modern fusion
• 22:19 — Power at the edge & unsexy problems that win fights
• 24:37 — Golden nugget: build cultures where scientists and engineers both thrive

About Andy Markoff

Andrew brings more than a decade of leadership in the U.S. Marine Corps, including roles as a Marine Special Operations Officer, Fires Instructor at MAWTS-1, and Special Operations Forces J3 during the Battle of Mosul. His experience spans four combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as leading operations and strategy at Palantir. Andrew holds a BA in Political Science from Princeton University. 

Callye Keen interviews Robert Fehlen about his work with Mission Cultivate and Dark Corner Solutions. They discuss the importance of community and networking in the defense innovation space, the challenges of duplication of efforts within military projects, and the need for a centralized platform to connect industry capabilities with military needs. Robert shares insights on the significance of teaming in defense contracts and the future plans for Mission Cultivate, which aims to create a more effective ecosystem for defense innovation.

Takeaways

• Robert Fehlen's passion is rooted in his family's military background.
• Dark Corner Solutions focuses on uncovering overlooked stories in defense.
• Networking is crucial for success in the defense industry.
• Duplication of efforts in military projects is a significant issue.
• Mission Cultivate aims to connect industry capabilities with military needs.
• Building a community is essential for fostering innovation.
• Teaming is the only way to succeed in defense contracts.
• The defense marketplace is complex and requires strategic navigation.
• Quality over quantity is a key principle for Mission Cultivate.
• Human connections are vital in the defense contracting space.

About Robert Fehlen

Website: https://www.missioncultivate.com/

Andre Wegner believes the biggest choke-point in defense manufacturing isn’t hardware—it’s the months (or years) lost inside data-starved black boxes. He and host Callye Keen unpack how capturing every shred of context across design, engineering, and shop-floor workflows—then feeding it to AI—can turn a decade-long program into a months-long sprint. If you care about rebuilding U.S. industrial agility, hit play.

Topics We Cover

• Why “idea → part” speed is now a national-security metric
• The cost of invisible data: 16k+ parts “too expensive to reverse engineer”
• Creating a new category

Key Takeaways

• Transparency beats paperwork. Drawings alone can’t scale or automate production; live context must flow from concept through machining.
• AI makes the unsexy sexy. Large language models can surface risks and bottlenecks instantly—if the data exhaust is captured.
• Own the ability to build. You don’t truly own IP when the know-how to make it sits outside your walls.

Chapters

• 00:00 | Welcome & guest intro
• 02:58 | The Authentise journey—from secure print streaming to DoD prime 
• 05:12 | Obsessing over months-not-years product cycles 
• 10:18 | The “blind-men & elephant” parable of fragmented manufacturing data
• 17:21 | Why the golden-thread metaphor fails in a multidimensional world 
• 23:40 | Naming a new category: Continuous Engineering Operations 
• 26:17 | $700 pocket sculptures & reframing value 
• 31:58 | Cheap drones, culture change, and AI-enabled transparency 
• 34:48 | Closing thoughts & future collaboration

Resources & Links

• Authentise — https://authentise.com
• Kform — https://kform.com

Connect

• Andre: LinkedIn / X / Authentise
• Callye: LinkedIn / X / Kform

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Callye Keen and Steve Simone discuss the evolving landscape of defense technology, particularly in countering unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Steve shares his passion for building businesses in this sector, the challenges of developing effective counter-drone solutions, and the importance of private capital in fostering innovation. They explore the dynamics of the defense market, the acquisition processes, and the need for startups to anticipate future requirements rather than react to current demands.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Defense Tech and Passion for Building
01:38 The Shift to Counter UAS and Drone Warfare
03:58 Challenges in Developing Kinetic Solutions
06:17 Navigating the Defense Startup Landscape
09:27 Funding and Innovation in Defense Tech
11:10 Overcoming Challenges in Defense Startups
15:09 Market Changes and Acquisition Processes
18:16 Future Opportunities in Defense Tech

About Steve Simoni

Steve is a Navy veteran and a nuclear engineer who worked on instrumentation and control systems for Navy nuclear reactors. He previously was CEO and co-founder of Bbot, a software and robotics restaurant technology startup which was acquired by DoorDash. He’s also held sales, product and engineering roles in marketing technology. 

Links

Website: https://www.allencontrolsystems.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevensimoni/

Callye Keen interviews Noam Oz, a former director of innovation operations at Naval X, discussing his extensive background in defense and technology innovation. They explore the challenges of navigating the defense acquisition landscape, the importance of iterative development, and the need for effective communication between operators and solution providers. Noam emphasizes the significance of understanding risk and readiness in defense technology, as well as the potential of new acquisition pathways like SBIRs and OTAs. The discussion also touches on future trends in defense technology, particularly the need for modularity and adaptability in solutions.

Takeaways

• Noam Oz has a rich background in defense and technology innovation.
• 90% of success in defense innovation is about managing personalities.
• Iterative development and user feedback are crucial for effective solutions.
• Embedding operators in the innovation process enhances relevance.
• New acquisition pathways like CSOs and OTAs are changing the landscape.
• Understanding risk and readiness is essential for defense tech.
• The operator community often feels neglected in the acquisition process.
• Modularity in defense technology can enhance operational effectiveness.
• Startups should focus on how their products can be easily deployed in the field.
• There is a growing opportunity for additive manufacturing in defense.

About Noam Oz

Defense Acquisition Expert & Former Director for Innovation Operations at NavalX, Office of Naval Research

Noam Oz is the former Director for Innovation Operations at NavalX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, where he led efforts to quickly equip Sailors and Marines with needed capabilities and coordinated efforts with innovation cells across the armed services. In addition to his corporate experience at Lockheed Martin and Noblis, Mr. Oz has dedicated more than 16 years as a DoD civilian serving in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development & Acquisition), and Naval Sea Systems Command.

Callye Keen and Chelsea Roberts (Meggitt) discuss the evolving landscape of the defense industry, particularly for small businesses. Chelsea shares insights on recent changes in government contracting, the importance of rapid prototyping, and the need for small businesses to adapt to new acquisition processes. They also explore the role of Collaborative Compositions in supporting small businesses and the common pitfalls to avoid in government contracting. 

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Defense Industry and Small Business Opportunities
02:00 Recent Changes in the Defense Acquisition Landscape
07:20 The Importance of Rapid Prototyping and User Feedback
12:45 Navigating Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Acquisition Methods
20:23 Chelsea Meggitt's Background and Collaborative Compositions
28:46 The Need for Education and Resources in GovCon
34:25 Advice for Innovators and Startups in the Defense Sector

About Chelsea
Chelsea is the founder and CEO of Collaborative Compositions, a consulting firm dedicated to guiding small and mid-sized businesses through the complexities of federal contracting. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Chelsea specializes in helping clients launch and expand their government contracting ventures, ensuring they have the strategies and systems in place to secure and manage contracts effectively.

Links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseadroberts/
Website: https://collaborativecompositions.com/

Callye Keen sits down with community-builder Jesse Levin to explore why people, not hardware, are the decisive edge in modern defense. From grassroots networks in Ukraine to DEF’s “virtuous insurgency,” the conversation unpacks how informal connectors accelerate innovation and why manufacturing talent is America’s silent super-power.

Topics We Cover

• Human capital as the “non-sexy” but essential innovation layer
• Lessons from two-plus years on the ground in Ukraine and the rise of 24-hour tech cycles
• Manufacturing-at-the-edge and fixing gear in theater
• DEF 2.0, local Agoras
• Re-energizing trades & STEM talent for national resilience

Key Takeaways

1. Humans over hardware. Innovation succeeds when high-trust “movers and shakers” inside and outside the institution link up .
2. Informal networks are a strategic capability. DEF’s community acts as a “bat-phone” that can move mountains during crises .
3. Edge manufacturing is mission-critical. Ukraine proved that rapid repair skills often outclass shiny new drones .
4. A cultural shift is coming. An emerging cohort craves purposeful, hands-on work—opening new on-ramps to defense tech .

Highlights

00:02 | Callye welcomes Jesse and sets the stage
02:00 | Why human terrain beats shiny gear
06:30 | Ukraine and hard truths about wasted hardware
09:45 | Manufacturing at the edge & Building Momentum shout-out
16:40 | Humanizing the defense industry for outsiders
25:30 | DEF 2.0 launch, Agoras, and moving the convo to Signal

Resources & Links

• DEF.org – Join an Agora or learn about DEF 2.0
• Tactivate – Jesse’s community activation work
• Building Momentum – Hands-on rapid-prototyping courses

Connect

• Jesse Levin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-levin/
• Callye Keen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callyekeen/

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Callye Keen and Matt Hawkins discuss the evolving landscape of market intelligence in the defense sector, emphasizing the importance of relationships, rapid technology integration, and the challenges faced by startups. They explore the significance of teaming strategies, the procurement process, and emerging technology trends, particularly in autonomy and material science. The discussion highlights the need for innovative solutions to address complex problems and the iterative processes required for successful technology development.

Takeaways

• Relationships are crucial in the national security ecosystem.
• Understanding the market landscape is essential for startups.
• Bureaucratic processes hinder innovation
• Teaming with other companies can enhance chances of winning contracts.
• Prototyping and iterative development are key to innovation.
• The government is increasingly interested in commercial technologies.
• Emerging technologies like autonomy and material science present significant opportunities.
• Boring problems often hold the key to successful innovations.
• Market fit is critical for technology adoption in defense.
• Navigating the procurement landscape requires strategic insight.