Luca is the founder and CEO of D-Orbit, which is revolutionizing space logistics by providing transportation and servicing solutions for satellites in orbit.
In this episode of Rockets & Radars, Luca shares his journey from being rejected by the astronaut program to building a company that raised more than $200M to create what he calls 'the DHL of space' or 'Space Taxi'. Luca explains how D-Orbit helps satellites reach their optimal positions faster and is working toward an interplanetary logistics infrastructure that will connect Earth, Mars, the Moon, and beyond.
Get intro to Luca: https://brdg.app/s/q10wiq
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Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction to D-Orbit and space logistics
(01:35) - What is D-Orbit: Space taxi
(02:53) - From wanting to be an astronaut to space founder
(05:16) - The accident that got Luca to Silicon Valley
(06:47) - Silicon Valley reality: Investor walks out of meeting
(09:12) - Early struggles: 4:30 AM breakfasts and rebuilding the business plan
(11:33) - NASA internship: Working alongside the future Planet Labs founders
(15:18) - First funding: €300K for 44% - "Buying a lottery ticket"
(18:33) - Creating a new market: "Like selling pens to people using pencils"
(20:23) - Founding team story: How Renato arrived just in time for the pitch
(26:29) - First prototype: Using €300K to build the decommissioning device
(30:52) - Team sacrifice: Employees buying parts with their own money
(33:37) - Hiring philosophy: Testing candidates outside their comfort zone
(40:54) - European vs. US investors: Different approaches to fundraising
(46:39) - Public funding tradeoffs: Speed vs. dilution challenges
(52:34) - First commercial contract: Strategic discount for Planet Labs
(56:09) - The failed SPAC deal: Dodging a bullet when markets crashed
(01:04:05) - Future vision: Orbital manufacturing and space recycling
(01:09:36) - Ultimate advice: "Think big - you want to change the universe"
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Episode Takeaways:
1) Never Give Up When Creating a New Market
- "If you give up, you have 100% probability of failing"
- Persisted through hundreds of investor rejections
- Turned NASA's skepticism into motivation
2) Hire for Attitude Over Technical Skills
- Use unconventional interview questions to test resilience
- Look for people who stay calm under pressure
- "You can buy competence, but you cannot buy attitude"
3) Master Different Investor Communication Styles
- Study investors' backgrounds before approaching them
- Speak on stages to attract investors rather than chasing them
- European vs US investors require different approaches
4) Be Strategic with Public Funding
- Understand the tradeoffs between speed and dilution
- Public money moves slower but preserves equity
- Institutional partnerships can build credibility with customers
5) Find Creative Solutions During Financial Crises
- Sold office furniture to keep the company afloat
- Team members personally funded critical components
- Make tough decisions like stopping the SPAC process when necessary
6) Use Simple Analogies to Explain Complex Technology
- "Space taxi" makes orbital logistics understandable
- Reframe technical descriptions as Earth-based equivalents
- Clear communication attracts both investors and customers
7) Create a Long-Term Vision Beyond Profits
- Think beyond Earth to interplanetary infrastructure
- "Think big - you want to change the universe"
- Money is just a means to achieve bigger impact
8) Navigate the Inevitable Founder-Investor Tension
- Understand that founder and investor objectives aren't always aligned
- Cycle between fighting for vision and accommodating investor needs
- Build relationships with investors who understand your industry
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Follow Luca Rossettini on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucarossettini/Follow D-Orbit on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/d-orbit