AI at the edge: How startups are powering the future of space at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Just 3 days until lift-off forTechCrunch Disrupt 2025— and theSpace Stageis ready to explore the future of space tech (and every other frontier of innovation). Space leaders Adam Maher (Ursa), Dr. Lucy Hoag (Violet Labs), and Dr. Debra L. Emmons (The Aerospace Corporation) will unpack how AI is transforming life in orbit.

If you’re after insights, inspiration, and a front-row seat to what’s next, this is the room to be in.Save up to $444on your pass before doors open on October 27 — plus, grab a guest pass for60% offor get15–30% off group ratesfor your team.

Redefining the final frontier: AI at the edge of space

Forget just rockets and satellites. The real revolution in space isn’t in what we launch, but in the intelligence we deploy.

Space has become the ultimate data frontier. To truly harness it, we need more than just pipes; we need brains in orbit. This is the age of on-orbit compute and autonomous decision-making, where intelligent edge systems instantly transform raw satellite feeds into actionable insight.

AI isn’t just optimizing missions — it’stransformingthem. It is the engine for unprecedented speed, efficiency, and resilience, enabling missions to be managed and scaled like never before.

This Space Stage session, only at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, cuts through the noise to showcase the true innovators: those pushing intelligence to the absolute edge, fundamentally redefining the speed, efficiency, and resilience of operations in space.

3 days until liftoff.Save on tickets to Disrupt 2025 while you still can.Save up to $444on your pass before doors open on October 27, and grab aplus-one ticket for 60% off. Teams save even more with15–30% off group passes.

Aerospace’s tech navigator: CTO driving strategy and innovation

Dr. Debra Emmonsis vice president and CTO atThe Aerospace Corporation.She’s responsible for providing vital leadership for determining and executing the company’s technology strategy and investments. Emmons leads four offices: eLab, responsible for setting the technical investment strategy and priorities; xLab, responsible for developing, building, and operating prototypes; Commercial Space Futures (CSF) office, responsible for driving the harnessing of commercial solutions for government missions to advance U.S. space; and the new Solution Accelerator, responsible for delivering independent and innovative solutions with speed and national impact. 

From vision to vantage: Founding Ursa’s radar revolution

Adam Maherserves as founder and CEO ofUrsa Space Systems, whose services empower users to make better decisions with better data. He founded Ursa in 2014 to develop a vision of connecting people to information-rich data derived from synthetic aperture radar. Previously, Adam worked at MAXAR (Space Systems Loral) as a system engineer for complete satellite builds. Adam holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, from Cornell University.

Violet: The data brain revolutionizing complex hardware design

Dr. Lucy Hoagis the founder and CEO ofViolet Labs, a San Francisco-based startup seeking to revolutionize how complex hardware is designed and built through Violet — the first data orchestration platform engineered specifically for complex hardware development. Prior to Violet, Hoag worked on satellite, drone, and self-driving car projects for DARPA, Google, Waymo, Lyft, and Amazon. Lucy holds a BS and a PhD from the University of Southern California in Astronautical Engineering.

T-minus 3 days until launch – grab your ticket before prices skyrocket

Save on tickets to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 while you still can.Save up to $444on your pass before doors open on October 27, or grab aplus-one ticket for 60% off. Teams save even more with15–30% off group passes.

Source: Techcrunch

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