About this episode

Daniel Faber discusses the hard truths and lessons learned in building a commercial space business with Jason Kanigan.

What's the hard truth about building a space business?For years, the commercial space industry was defined by optimism. Lower launch costs, new investment, and ambitious founders created the belief that space companies could scale quickly. The reality has been far more complex.In this episode of the Cold Star Project, I sit down with Daniel Faber, founder of Orbit Fab, to discuss the hard lessons learned from building one of the commercial space industry's most recognized in-space logistics companies. We explore why commercial space moves more slowly than many expected, how government and private industry influence each other, what founders consistently underestimate, and what genuine success looks like in today's space economy.Whether you're building a startup, working in aerospace or defense, investing in emerging technology, or preparing for a career in the industry, this conversation offers practical insights that extend far beyond space.This conversation is especially relevant for:• Space and defense professionals• Startup founders and entrepreneurs• Aerospace engineers and technical leaders• Investors following the commercial space economy• College and university students…

People in this episode

Host: Jason Kanigan

Guest: Daniel Faber

Topics covered

• Building a commercial space business
• Space entrepreneurship
• Lessons from Orbit Fab
• In-space logistics and orbital refueling
• Startup execution and leadership
• Venture capital and the commercial space economy
• Government and commercial influence

Keywords

• commercial space industry
• startup
• aerospace
• defense
• in-space logistics
• venture capital
• entrepreneurship
• government influence

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Orbit Fab

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