Two Teen Dropouts Build Cosmic Wi-Fi in the first YC Fall 2024 batch.

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In the cosmic ballet of the universe, where stars are born, die, and are reborn in spectacular supernovae, humanity has always sought to bridge the gaps between the vast, silent expanses of space. And now, we find ourselves on the cusp of a new frontier. Not just in the exploration of the stars, but in how we communicate across the void.

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Founders Pack Wolfcast Profile: Bifrost Orbital

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At the heart of this evolution stands Bifrost Orbital, a Y Combinator Fall 2024 startup, whose very name evokes the mythological bridge between worlds.

Like the Norse gods who traversed Bifrost to connect the heavens and the Earth, this startup seeks to build a technological bridge—between satellites and operators, between space and Earth—creating a network of constant, reliable communication. What the gods accomplished through magic, Bifrost Orbital strives to achieve through cutting-edge science.

For centuries, space has been a domain of awe and mystery. But for those venturing beyond our atmosphere, one of the greatest challenges is not the vacuum itself, but the lack of constant, uninterrupted communication. The satellites that orbit our planet are tools, instruments with vast potential, but without a continuous link to the Earth-bound minds controlling them, they are left to wander the void, untethered and underutilized.

This is where Bifrost Orbital comes in, with a vision as expansive as the cosmos itself. Founded by two passionate engineers, Geffen Avraham and Onkar Singh, the company is creating a solution that is akin to what the Secure Shell (SSH) did for computing—only for satellites. Imagine the simplicity of logging into a server remotely, monitoring it in real-time, fixing issues, updating systems. Now, replace that server with a satellite hurtling through space at thousands of miles per hour. This is the audacity of Bifrost Orbital’s mission.

A New Era of Satellite Connectivity

Bifrost Orbital’s technology offers a real-time, continuous link between space-based assets and ground operators. No more blackouts, no more periods of silence as satellites pass out of range. Instead, just as SSH revolutionized how we control remote computers, Bifrost Orbital is revolutionizing how we interact with spacecraft. They are building a resilient network of satellites designed to ensure 24/7 communication access for all other satellites.

In many ways, this represents a profound shift in how we think about space operations. Historically, satellite communication has been intermittent.

Ground stations must wait until a satellite passes overhead, hoping to establish a connection before it disappears again beyond the horizon. During these gaps, critical data is lost, and any problems that arise onboard the satellite must wait to be addressed.

But with Bifrost’s network, these gaps are eliminated. Much like the intricate web of neurons in the brain, constantly firing signals back and forth, this new network will allow satellites to constantly transmit and receive data, enabling real-time monitoring, control, and even repair from afar. What this means for the future of space operations is profound.

Imagine a world where satellites can be seamlessly updated and maintained, where they can autonomously communicate with other spacecraft and ground control, sharing data, relaying information, and ensuring a constant flow of information. A world where the concept of "lost contact" with a satellite becomes a relic of the past, as obsolete as dial-up internet.

 The Founders' Cosmic Path

To understand the full significance of Bifrost Orbital, one must delve into the minds of its founders: Geffen Avraham, the Co-founder and CTO, and Onkar Singh, the Co-founder and CEO. These two visionaries come from remarkably different backgrounds, yet they share an indomitable passion for space.

Geffen Avraham’s journey began in the stars, or more accurately, in the vacuum of space itself. His work on the Duchifat-3 CubeSat mission, while still in high school, catapulted him into the aerospace industry at an age when most are still grappling with algebraic equations. His role in the mission led him to China, where he was invited to an academic space conference, the only high-schooler among seasoned professionals. There, amidst discussions of orbital mechanics and satellite technology, Geffen realized the limitations of the current system—limitations he would later set out to overcome.

At 16, Geffen took the bold step of leaving traditional school behind, opting instead to immerse himself fully in the world of satellite development. In the quiet hum of a local laboratory, surrounded by circuitry, antennas, and the steady pulse of radio signals, he began working on solutions that would eventually evolve into Bifrost Orbital’s core technology.

On the other side of the world, Onkar Singh was blazing his own trail. His passion for satellite technology took root in his role as the lead of InQube, India's first open-source satellite mission.

But lets go back a little further

Onkar Singh, Co-Founder and CEO

Onkar Singh’s journey into the world of space technology began when most kids are still figuring out how to ride a bike. At the age of 7, Onkar was already deep into building, developing, and researching new ideas. His talents didn’t go unnoticed. By the time he was 14, he had not only broken world records (yes, multiple, but for those curious, his LinkedIn holds the details), but he was also honored by the President of India for his remarkable contributions.

At 17, he moved to America, where he graduated from high school and, instead of pursuing a full-ride scholarship offered by Eric Schmidt and the Rhodes Trust, decided to carve his own path. He dropped out before attending any undergraduate program and, by the age of 18, had already started his first company in the Bay Area—an origin story that mirrors the tech legends of Silicon Valley.

Now, as the CEO of Bifrost Orbital (YC F24), Onkar is leading the charge in building 24/7 satellite communication technology, ensuring that the spacefaring instruments we rely on remain constantly connected. His company is backed by supportive and visionary investors, propelling Bifrost toward becoming a vital player in the space industry.

Specializing in system design, firmware, and software-defined radios, Onkar had already accumulated years of experience in the space industry before founding Bifrost Orbital. By the age of 16, he had developed a multiplexing radio system for an RF-based suborbital relay network—a precursor, perhaps, to the inter-satellite communications that now form the backbone of Bifrost’s ambitious project.

The paths of these two young engineers converged in 2024, united by a shared belief that space could be more connected, more efficient, and more accessible. Together, they founded Bifrost Orbital in San Francisco, the epicenter of technological innovation.

A Vision Beyond the Horizon

What sets Bifrost Orbital apart is not just its cutting-edge technology, but its vision. For Geffen and Onkar, this isn’t just about creating a communication network for satellites—it’s about the broader implications for humanity. In a world increasingly dependent on data, the ability to monitor, control, and even rescue satellites in real-time could have profound consequences for our planet.

Consider, for a moment, the California wildfires. In a crisis like this, where every second counts, the ability to relay real-time satellite data could be the difference between life and death. Satellites can provide a bird’s eye view of disaster zones, but their effectiveness is often limited by communication delays. If Bifrost succeeds, such delays could be eliminated, allowing firefighters and first responders to act with the precision and speed needed to save lives.

This is just one example. In fields as diverse as agriculture, environmental monitoring, and national security, Bifrost’s technology promises to enhance the role satellites play in our daily lives. With continuous connectivity, the applications are nearly limitless. Crop monitoring could become more accurate, helping farmers optimize yields and reduce waste. In the polar regions, where communication blackouts are common, scientific missions could proceed with far greater efficiency. And in the defense sector, real-time satellite control could provide nations with an unprecedented level of security and situational awareness.

Backward Compatibility and Energy Efficiency

One of the most impressive aspects of Bifrost Orbital’s technology is its backward compatibility. Space is full of legacy systems—older satellites still performing vital functions, but often hampered by outdated communication protocols. Bifrost’s solution doesn’t just work for the latest, most advanced satellites. It’s designed to be backward-compatible, ensuring that even older systems can benefit from this new wave of connectivity.

Moreover, the network is engineered to be low-power. In the harsh environment of space, where energy is a precious resource, this is no small feat. By minimizing the power requirements of their technology, Bifrost ensures that it can be integrated into satellites of all sizes, from small CubeSats to larger, more complex spacecraft.

This emphasis on energy efficiency is a nod to the future, where the sheer number of satellites in orbit will demand solutions that don’t drain the limited power available onboard. As space becomes more crowded, Bifrost Orbital’s ability to offer low-power, backward-compatible communication solutions will become increasingly vital.

Bridging the Gap to the Future

In a universe so vast, the idea of connection might seem improbable. Yet, in this swirling expanse of galaxies, black holes, and cosmic dust, Bifrost Orbital is proving that distance is no longer an obstacle to communication. They are, quite literally, bringing the stars closer to us—creating a seamless link between Earth and the spacefaring machines that are becoming an ever-more critical part of our world.

In the grand tapestry of the cosmos, Bifrost Orbital is weaving a new thread—a thread that could one day ensure that humanity’s presence in space is as connected and communicative as it is here on Earth. And in this, they are not merely following the arc of technology; they are shaping its trajectory.

As Carl Sagan once mused, “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” Perhaps that incredible thing is not out there in the depths of space, but here, on our doorstep, as we build the bridges that will carry us into the stars.

Bifrost Orbital, like its mythological namesake, stands ready to connect us to the heavens.

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Bifrost Orbital at a Glance:

- Founded: 2024

- Team Size: 2

- Location: San Francisco

- Group Partner: Pete Koomen

- Founders: Geffen Avraham (CTO) and Onkar Singh (CEO)

- Vision: To create a continuously connected network of satellites, ensuring real-time communication between space and Earth, and revolutionizing space operations for a better, safer world.

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