Insights

Episode 3: Your AI Is Still Blind in Space

October 17, 2025

Alain Gavin

Alain Gavin

Managing Partner - Chief Investment Officer

Your AI Is Still Blind in Space

Your AI is still blind in space. Collision risk is accelerating, geopolitical tensions are escalating, and legacy systems are still too slow to keep up. The orbital domain is becoming the new frontier for deterrence, resilience, and strategic control.

The risks in orbit are compounding.
Collision manoeuvres by Starlink satellites alone are projected to exceed 200,000 annually by 2027.

At the same time, geopolitical tensions in space are intensifying. Russia, China, and others continue to test anti-satellite weapons while obscuring activity in contested orbital bands.

Across the ecosystem, both primes and startups are rushing to deliver space domain awareness yet most are still frame-based, power-hungry, and too slow for the speed of orbital reality.

This is where neuromorphic computing brain-inspired AI redefines the equation.

In live trials with UK Space Command, Optera has shown that event-based sensing provides reflexes at the edge:

detecting deception, predicting manoeuvres, and generating digital fingerprints of satellites that no radar or legacy sensor can match.

For investors and sovereign stakeholders alike, this is not merely a technology story, it’s a capital allocation question.

Control of the orbital edge will determine future deterrence, resilience, and the security of both civilian and defence infrastructure.

The dual-use, or even omni-use, potential of this architecture is vast: from satellite and hypersonic defence to drone interdiction, critical infrastructure protection, and autonomous mobility.

Startups not primes are now filing the patents, winning the contracts, and building the architectures that will define the decade ahead.

At KARISTA Tech II, we are investing in frontier technologies across Space, Defence, and Cybersecurity.

We view neuromorphic AI as a category-defining architecture one that strengthens national security capabilities while scaling into commercial autonomy markets.

Key Takeaways
Collision risk in orbit is accelerating beyond current monitoring capabilities.
Neuromorphic computing enables “reflexes at the edge,” beyond the limits of radar and traditional AI.
Event-based sensing delivers real-time detection of deception and manoeuvres in contested orbital space.
Control of the orbital edge will define deterrence, resilience, and global security.
Startups are leading the charge, shaping the future of space and defence technology.

The orbital domain is no longer a distant concern it’s the next battlespace.

For those shaping national security and capital strategy, understanding how AI perceives and reacts in orbit isn’t optional. It’s decisive.

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What People Say About PSION

Alain went beyond imaginable limits with his ability and professional VC expertise to coordinate our fundraising activities at CyStellar. His capability to deeply understand our company’s vision and match it with the right investors was crucial in shortening the time to closing the investment.

Alain helped us with the investment strategy, corporate restructuring, pitch deck, building an investor funnel and following up with investors, supporting the due diligence process, term sheet negotiations and provide recommendation for legal, financial, and tax advisors.

He’s really made a difference in our start-up success to raise its first seed round!

I chose him to join our Board as independent Non-Executive Director where he continues to add value to the strategic direction of the company.

Peter Bunus

CEO and Co-Founder - CyStellar

It has been exceptional working with Alain over the past few months to develop Skyrora’s financial model and business plan. Alain quickly understood the key drivers of the business, and he was able to combine them with his deep knowledge of the investment industry to ensure our model is well received by investors. He paid detailed attention to intricacies, such as revenue recognition and worked hand-in-hand with us to resolve all difficulties. 

Alain went far beyond what was expected and put us on track to successfully close our funding round. I highly recommend him.


Victor Ivanenko

CFO – SKYRORA (Rocket company)

Alain carried out due diligence on a complex, fast moving business. He worked very long hours and his efforts exceeded the amount of time that was expected. 

He did a deeply researched analysis of the business involved and the sector that it was trading in, as a result of which we made an investment in the target company. In addition, he carried out due diligence on two other companies, a high technology business with several valuable patents based on the West Coast of the USA, and a company supplying communications solutions to the global railways sector. 

Alain and I are discussing several further opportunities of working together.


Simon Hunt

Fund manager

Alain possesses superior organisational, planning and interpersonal skills. As CEO of the business we began together, and as the primary partner in the enterprise, he demonstrated his ability to build and motivate a team, and guided the group towards creative goals and solutions. 

Alain involves others, encourages their strategies for finding solutions and secures maximum commitment from each team member. He also achieved good results when negotiating.

Personally, I find Alain to be a bright and engaging individual. He has a breath of international experience which I find particularly interesting and has a collegial manner which enables him to work effectively with others.

Michael Buxton

Co-investor & entrepreneur

Alain produced an Information Memorandum for Microbus for new investors, he was extremely diligent and picked up the complexity of what is a highly technical niche market very quickly. Market detail across Europe in the public safety market is limited but Alain managed to access detail that had previously been unattainable. 

He was also very knowledgeable in how to value this type of opportunity and tested these valuations from several directions. He was easy to work with but persistent in ensuring he produced the best possible results. I would recommend Alain to anyone requiring an in depth study of their business.

Reg Marsh

MD and COO in Growth & Turnaround businesses

It was a pleasure working with Mr. Gavin and observing his highly professional attitude and his remarkable energy and perseverance in the work he accomplished. He took initiative even on difficult issues to achieve needed results. His unique motivational drive and energy and collegial manner made him well accepted among those he worked with closely.

Dr. Roland Voigt

ex-CFO - SCHOTT AG

Alain is a wonderful person to work with. His support in Skyrora’s outreach to secure funding was invaluable. In countless calls, we worked out strategies together on how to approach investors. 

Alain always inspired me with his ideas and relentless energy to reach out to the right investors. He helped us to do a ground-up analysis of the competitive and market landscape and convince investors of the immense opportunity in the Space launch industry. 

I would warmly recommend him and am thrilled to have him on board and hope to work with him again to secure our next investment round.

Anfisa Anikushina

M&A, SpaceTech

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