Bloomberg Businessweek Elon Musk Eyes Record IPO for SpaceX as Lesser-Heralded Players Emerge
Jan 2, 2026
Greg Pendy, Director of Equity Research at Clear Street, dives into the competitive world of space technology. He discusses the recent success of AST SpaceMobile's satellite launch and how it's gearing up against SpaceX. The conversation highlights key players like Planet Labs and Intuitive Machines, along with trends for 2026. Pendy sheds light on the reliance on satellite launch providers and the evolving U.S. space strategy. He even gives Intuitive Machines a nod as a standout for the future, showcasing its potential in the moon market.
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Planet Labs' AI-Driven Data Opportunity
- Planet Labs monetizes daily terabytes of Earth imagery and sees AI as the catalyst to unlock value.
- Their Project Suncatcher with Google aims to explore space-based data-center capabilities by 2027.
Cooling And Solar Are Space Data Advantages
- Space offers cooling and solar-power advantages that could lower data-center energy costs compared with Earth.
- Planet Labs emphasizes both solar energy and ambient space cold as operational benefits.
Higher Resolution Multiplies AI Value
- Planet Labs' OWL satellite will improve resolution to about one meter and amplify AI utility.
- Higher-resolution images enable AI to detect many more objects and deliver stronger insights.