Spacecraft comms aren’t guaranteed—and we design with that in mind. In this episode, Ashton, our Head of Space Systems, breaks down how we handle communications in deep space, what Vestri learned from Odin, and how we’re building spacecraft that stay operational even when the link goes dark. From RF architecture to pass planning to system-level autonomy, this is how we close the gap between signal and silence.
--------
51:43
--------
51:43
Survive The Drop
In this episode, we sit down with Ashton, Head of Space Systems, and Chris, Head of Avionics at AstroForge, to break down how we handle power under constraint. Specifically, the differences in our approach for Vestri vs. Odin. It’s not just about generation—it’s about enforcing priorities, managing faults, and surviving without human input. We cover how power is routed, how systems are shut down in emergencies, and how Vestri is being tested to validate autonomous survival logic before anything flies.
--------
1:00:04
--------
1:00:04
Vibe Check
In this week's episode, we get into what vibration testing actually does for a spacecraft, and what happens when it reveals problems you didn’t plan for. Structures Engineer Wesley joins us to break down how Odin performed on the shaker, what failed, and how those lessons shaped our approach for our upcoming mission, Vestri. From fixture design to broken fasteners, this episode is a candid assessment of testing under fast timelines and tight margins.
--------
36:58
--------
36:58
Speculation Doesn't Ship
In this episode, we dig into what the space economy actually looks like today—versus how it’s been pitched. AstroForge Chief Business Officer Krystle Caponio joins Chap, Matt, and Robyn to talk about outdated incentive structures, what makes a sustainable space business, and why asteroid mining is built around Earth customers—not off-world speculation. From government contracts to failed pivots, this is what it’s really like to build for deep space.
--------
53:14
--------
53:14
Oh Shit Mode
This episode breaks down how spacecraft autonomy is structured through mission modes: predefined system states that control how a vehicle behaves, recovers from faults, and configures its subsystems. Chap (CoS), Robyn (COO), and Matt (CEO) cover how and when transitions happen, what “Oh Shit Mode” actually is, and how AstroForge designs and tests mode architecture to prioritize survivability over ideal execution.
A podcast by AstroForge on all things related to deep space mining - specifically, asteroid mining. We discuss, explore, and banter about the intricacies of space science and exploration. Hosted by Matt (CEO), Robyn (COO), and Chap (CoS). Buckle in, you're in for a ride.
Polska