The optical future of space communications.

Summary

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Podcast Summary: T-Minus Space Daily – "The Optical Future of Space Communications"

Host: Maria Varmazes (A), N2K Networks
Guest: Kalia Padilla (C), CEO of Imagine Engine
Date: March 8, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode explores the accelerating future of optical technology in space communications, focusing on innovation in optical networks, investment trends, and the emerging global ecosystem for space startups. Host Maria Varmazes speaks with returning guest Kalia Padilla about her company’s ventures, investment philosophy, technical focus areas, and personal motivation in driving the next era of space infrastructure.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap of the Past Year and Portfolio Highlights

• Growth and Milestones (03:11):
  • Kalia shares that 2025 was a “very busy year” with significant milestones.
  • Imagine Engine and Decahedron Ventures invested in two key ventures:
    • Optical Transceiver Project:
      • Focused on modulation between RF and optical signals.
      • Received funding from NASA for advancements in energy and data transmission.
      • Quote: “NASA gave us a grant for the development of this transceiver on the realm of energy and data transmission.” (03:25)
    • Student-led Satellite Platform:
      • Collaboration with Lehigh University students.
      • Modular, scalable, and capable of autonomous maneuvering for diverse mission profiles.

2. Technical Focus & Investment Philosophy

• Component Excellence and Optical Focus (04:12):
  • The studio intentionally seeks “the next big step in space,” especially cutting-edge innovations at the component level.
  • Heavy emphasis on optical telecom as the next frontier, mirroring trends seen at major companies like Starlink and Amazon.
  • Quote: “We have seen the trend of other big companies... starting to implement optical telecommunications. So this is something that we're really looking at this year.” (04:12)

3. Market Outlook for 2026

• Optimism and Market Timing (04:51):
  • Anticipates 2026 as the “year to venture in space,” highlighting imminent SpaceX IPO and large investments in the sector.
  • Quote: “We’re like in the sweet spot on... the haven for space. So I have a pretty good optimistic panorama for the space industry.” (04:51)

4. Advice for New Startups & the Role of Artistic Mindset

• Encouraging Innovation (05:43):
  • Urges companies to pursue risk and creativity: “Technology is kind of like a piece of art.”
  • Emphasizes “state of the art” approaches with high-quality materials and forward-thinking design.
  • Quote: “When we were working last year with the satellite... we were thinking how to do a state of the art technology that actually looks like art... high quality materials, edge technology.” (05:43)
• Art & Technology Intersection (06:28):
  • Details how an artistic mindset fuels better technology: “I see... technology, when I create technology, I see as the next piece of art.” (06:28)
  • Expresses a desire to instill dignity and attraction into engineering choices through creativity.

5. Venture Studio Support Model

• Comprehensive Startup Support (07:27):
  • Outlines a robust offering: office space, access to labs, human capital, proprietary tech developed over a decade, and help securing NASA tech transfers.
  • Active in global partnerships, especially Japan and Latin America.
  • Quote: “We also collaborate with the NASA technology transfer so we introduce them to the NASA technology transfer programs... Plus the capital that we invest and the accelerator...” (07:27)

6. Global Expansion and Target Markets

• International Growth, Focus on Japan & Latin America (11:06):
  • Japan praised for its “optical backbone” and bold government investment (Space Strategy Fund).
  • Latin America cited as a rapidly evolving region for space infrastructure.
  • Quote: “Japan is really, really promising... they are investing a lot in space startups. So that's a very good opportunity.” (11:06)

7. Emerging Technical Directions in Optics

• Frontiers in Materials & Laser Architectures (12:05):
  • Interest in “multiple wavelengths at the same time to increase bandwidth capacity.”
  • Exploration of advanced materials, including data storage in diamonds and new semiconductor types.
  • Quantum dots research highlighted as promising in the optical industry.
  • Quote: “I've seen research about storing data in diamonds, yeah, I think new type of semiconductors or replacement from the electrical to the optical.” (12:05)

8. Personal Motivation and Purpose

• Rooted Passion (13:18):
  • Kalia’s journey sparked early by science and love (partnering with a quantum physicist).
  • Driven by a desire to make a difference, especially as a woman in technology.
  • Quote: “Technology for me is that tool that allows me to make a real change in the world and I hope I could fulfill my mission...” (14:27)

9. Call to Action for Future Innovators

• Encouragement to Start Now (15:21):
  • Advocates for new entrants to join the space sector immediately, citing abundant opportunity.
  • Shared her own timeline: “I have 10 years of careers and I only have 29. And I started my first startup when I was 19... so the moment to start is now.” (15:21)

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Notable Quotes

• On Artistic Mindset:
  “When we were working last year with the satellite, designing the satellite, we were thinking how to do a state of the art technology that actually looks like art, like a piece of art in terms of high quality materials [and] edge technology.” — Kalia Padilla (05:43)
• On Future Potential:
  “We are looking for what's the next big step in space... especially because we know that [optical] is the next frontier.” — Kalia Padilla (04:12)
• On Market Outlook:
  “Definitely, the year to invest and the year to venture in space... I have a pretty good optimistic panorama for the space industry.” — Kalia Padilla (04:51)
• On Personal Motivation:
  “I really wanted to make a difference as a woman in the world... and for me that was technology. That's how I basically fall in love with technology.” — Kalia Padilla (14:27)
• Advice to Young Innovators:
  “If you are young, start now because it's the best time to start... The moment to start is now.” — Kalia Padilla (15:21)

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Important Timestamps

• [03:11] – Investments in optical transceiver & student-led satellite project
• [04:12] – Focus on technical excellence & optical communications frontier
• [04:51] – Market outlook & investment climate for 2026
• [05:43] – Artistic mindset in technology development
• [07:27] – Support for portfolio companies and accelerators
• [11:06] – International expansion: Japan and Latin America
• [12:05] – Technical directions: multi-wavelength lasers, materials, quantum dots
• [13:18] – Personal inspiration for pursuing optics and technology
• [15:21] – Advice to prospective space entrepreneurs

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Memorable Moments

• Kalia revealing that her journey into optics began with “falling in love with a quantum physicist,” giving a personal and human side to her scientific drive (13:18).
• The convergence of art and science: both host and guest discuss seeing technology and light as art, bringing creativity into the design of space systems (06:23–06:28).
• An explicit call for young founders to take bold steps into the rapidly growing space technology sector (15:21).

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Summary

This episode offers both practical insights and inspiration for anyone interested in the future of space communications. Through Kalia Padilla’s journey and expertise, listeners learn why optical technologies are at the heart of the next generation of space connectivity, what investors are seeking, and where global opportunity is emerging fastest. With a blend of art, science, and business acumen, this conversation underscores the immense potential for new players to innovate and shape the future of space.

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Transcript

[A]

You're listening to the Cyberwire Network, powered by N2K.

[B]

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[A]

Hi everyone. If I sound a little different today, that is because I am recording while on the road. Just a month after I was in Orlando for Commercial Space Week, I'm back in Orlando, this time for a completely different conference. I am at Zero Trust World held by Threat Locker. But yeah, since I'm back in Orlando, I thought it'd be a nice time to revisit a great conversation that I had last time I was here at Commercial Space Week. Today's guest is an investor in the space technology sector and she's returning to T Minus after our last chat just a year prior. So here's my conversation with Kalia Padilla, founder at Imagine Engine, about what kind of technologies she's especially interested in, what kind of companies she's helping to grow and how business has been growing for her in the last year. All right, so we are rolling. Well, welcome back. We are at Commercial Space Week in Orlando, Florida. I am Maria Ramazas, host of T Minus Space Daily, and I have a returning guest with me today. I saw you last year. Welcome back.

[C]

Thank you so much. I forgot.

[A]

Yeah. So glad to see you. I figure for our audience who are new, would you mind reintroducing yourself, please?

[C]

Yes. I'm Kale Perilla. I'm the current CEO of Imagine Engine. We're at a Ventura studio and we also have an investment fund called Decahedron Ventures where we are looking to nature and invest in space technologies focused mostly on telecommunications, optical networks and space infrastructure.

[A]

Wonderful. And I wish you continued success. I remember last year when you were telling me about your firm and there were a lot of incredible plans and it sounds like 2025 was a very good year for you.

[C]

Yes, it was a very busy year last year and we accomplished a lot. Thanks for the team that we had and everything that we did, including this interview last year. Yes.

[A]

So tell me a little bit about the companies that you invested in last year.

[C]

Yes. So last year we created and invested in two companies in the Ventura Studio side one is optical transceiver focused on the modulation between radio frequency and optical. We have actually this project was also funded by NASA.

[A]

Oh okay.

[C]

And NASA gave us a grant for the development of this transceiver on the realm of energy and data transmission. And we also created a satellite project with Lehigh University students and also focus on the modulation between radio frequency and optical. And it's a modular platform and it could be a scale in space and it maneuvers itself so it gives you the flexibility also of for different mission cases.

[A]

It sounds like of those two companies that you just described, there's a really fascinating focus on technical excellence at a component level that seems to be a specialized area of focus for you. Is that what you're also looking for in other companies that you want to bring into your portfolio?

[C]

Yes, that's correct. That's correct. So we are looking for what's the next big step in space? Looking for innovation definitely. So that's why we are looking into nature and invest in companies that are focus on the optical side especially because we know that is that the next frontier. We have seen the trend of other big companies like Starlink and Amazon that are starting to implement optical telecommunications. So this is something that we're really looking at this year into investing and also naturally.

[A]

Yeah, I was going to say your thoughts on 2026. I'm very curious. We've just begun the year. But what are you thinking this year is going to look like?

[C]

Well, this year is very promising. Definitely the year to invest and the year to venture in space. SpaceX IPO just coming. Another big company is also preparing for IPO. So definitely we're like in the sweet spot on like the beginning of the, the haven for space. So I have a pretty good optimistic panorama for the space industry. We have seen mega, mega checks happening in the space industry just latest week. So I am very optimist of all the panorama also around the world and especially in the United States. We want to lead and we need more startups and companies that venture on this industry. Yeah.

[A]

So what would your advice be to companies that either that you would be looking to invest in or be part of that ecosystem? What would you like to see?

[C]

Well, definitely innovate. I think technology is kind of like a piece of art. That's how I see is mostly like not just sticking what is already built, but try new things. When we were working last year with the satellite, designing the satellite, we were thinking how to do a state of the art technology that actually looks like art, like a piece of art in terms of high quality materials edge technology. And I think applying that artistic mindset when you are developing technologies could definitely change the forward to your product and your company.

[A]

An artistic mindset. Can you tell me a bit more

[C]

what you mean by that?

[A]

I really. I'm intrigued.

[C]

Yes. Artistic mindset. What I mean is that I see as a technology, when I create technology, I see as the next piece of art like what would like to express. And I see that on my. In my opinion I would like to express dignity, I would like to express how forward thinking is my mindset. So I look to implement the newest technologies that is out there not just staying in the past, but how to create new trends, something that people is attracted to it. So that's what I think that that mindset is very special and very important when you create technologies especially for space that you need to innovate. There is a bunch of possibilities out there and I think that we need to use take that in consideration.

[A]

I think that's a fascinating idea. I really like that and I'm curious for that, for the companies that you've brought into your portfolio, what do you, what do you offer portfolio companies? What kind of support do they get?

[C]

Yes, so we have a board of studio, we create companies from scratch and we also have an accelerator. So on the Ventura street aside, we give them access to office space, we give access to laboratories, also to human capital interns, also to already develop technology that we have developed for the last 10 years that either software tools or even hardware designs or patents. I also collaborate with the NASA technology transfer so we introduce them to the NASA technology transfer programs so they could get access to the state of the art technologies. So that's one of most provided value that we bring to the startups. Plus the capital that we invest and the accelerator, we are mostly focused on the growth sh also bring them partnership opportunities and clients and helping them expand expand to overseas. And right now on the accelerator side, we're working in Japan and we're working in other countries in Latin America. So we act as a bridge for the startups to expand to other markets.

[A]

We'll be right back.

[B]

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[A]

Yeah, I was going to ask you about that because it seems a lot of space companies are trying to make sure that they have a global presence. Yes, about what? What markets you're especially interested in? I know the United States is always one, but outside of the United States, what you're interested in?

[C]

Yeah, Japan is really, really promising. They have a really optical backbone, let's say like strange. So it's very good for space. They actually launched a 3 million yen fund called the Space Strategy Fund. So they are investing a lot in space startups. So that's a very good opportunity for space startup. And also Latin America is also starting to catch up. I've seen other infrastructure projects happening in Latin America lately and countries are interested in investing in this technology. So these two markets are the ones that are looking more promising at the moment.

[A]

That's fascinating to me. So when you look ahead at the development of the different parts of obstacle technology that are in the pipeline for space, I know you can get very detailed in the certain directions that can go. Are there any specific pathways that you're more interested in or not? Are you trying to keep options open or what do you think there?

[C]

Yes, definitely. New type of laser architectures are one. Right now what we are working on is multi multiple wavelengths at the same time to increase bandwidth. Capacity. Bandwidth capacity. Other things are materials so I see that optics. I've seen research about storing data in diamonds yeah, I've seen things like that. I think new type of semiconductors or replacement from the electrical to the optical. So new type of materials are one of pacific very good niche to explore.

[A]

Interesting. Yeah. Material science is something that always pops up a lot in space in these really interesting ways, which makes a lot of sense given we're talking about advanced science and such. But I'm always really fascinated to hear about the different applications there anyway.

[C]

Yes, especially research that I've seen a lot of quantum dots research, which is basically a very tiny crystal that is really promising in the optical industry. So I would like to see more of, of that.

[A]

And I want to also ask you, I can tell, and I remember last time we spoke, you definitely have a passion for this area within space. And I wanted to ask like, is there a personal reason why, like you seem super passionate about it?

[C]

Well, I fell in love with a quantum physicist, so that might do it. Yes, that's one. But it always get my attention. Science, very early on, my life on science and space and optics was also a very interesting area to explore.

[A]

Yeah, science.

[C]

We have been extorting optics from very, very early of our civilization and we don't have current optical, like high level optical communications. So it was always very catching to me what we could do through light and what it could become. So. But first, of course, love and my curiosity for science.

[A]

Yes, that makes a lot of sense.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah. I, for me, I've always been fascinated by light because I have an artistic background. So I always think of it in terms of art and that kind of thing. But I always love hearing people's reasons because it's always really interesting to me. So that's a fascinating thing because you can't, the work that you do is extraordinarily intense and I feel like you can't. People are, I know people are like, I do it because it's, you know, I want to make money. But that can never always be the only reason that keeps you going. There's got to be more behind that.

[C]

Yes, no, that's correct. And it's not my first reason. Like when I started entrepreneurship I, I always think like about maybe have a future reward. But I really wanted to make a difference as a woman in the world, what I could bring to the community, what I could bring to this world, that it will make it better. And for me that's my biggest motivation is just not leave this world with not making a difference. And for me that was technology. That's how I basically fall in love with technology. I think technology for me is that tool that allows me to make a real change in the world and I hope I could fulfill my mission and still working on it.

[A]

That's so wonderful. I love that. On a personal level, I really love hearing that.

[C]

Thank you.

[A]

Yeah, that's really lovely. I want to make sure that if there's anything else you wanted to mention, wrap up thoughts, anything like that, that you want to share with the audience, by all means.

[C]

Yes. Well, I would like to tell the people that start your venture now in space, because it's definitely the year to do it. A lot of opportunities are coming out in the industry. A lot of needs. Yeah. So I've seen it in this conference and other conference. There is a lot of needs. So at the moment is now and that if you are young, start now because it's the best time to start. I have 10 years of careers and I only have 29. And I started my first startup when a technology started when I was 19 and that basically helped me to arrive where I am right now. So the moment to start is now.

[A]

That's wonderful. I hope a lot more people follow your example.

[C]

Thank you.

[A]

That's so wonderful. Thank you for speaking with me. It's been wonderful catching up since last year.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

And I wish you all continued success.

[C]

Thank you so much.

[A]

And a quick note from us at T minus. While we have transitioned away from doing a daily show, as you've probably noticed by now, we are still working hard behind the scenes here at the show on our upcoming transformation. And I will have more to share with you in the coming weeks about that. But as I have been saying, please, we do want to absolutely hear from you about what would be useful to you as we shift to a weekly show. So the place to send Your feedback is space2k.com and that's the letter N, the number two, the letter K. Space2k.com we'd love to hear from you. And for those of you who have already sent in your feedback, our sincere thanks. That's T minus Deep Space brought to you by N2K CyberWire. We'd love to know what you think of our podcast. Your feedback ensures we deliver the insights that keep you a step ahead in the rapidly changing space industry. If you like the show, please share a rating and review in your podcast app or you can send an email to space2k.com we're proud that N2K CyberWire is part of the daily routine of the most influential leaders and operators in the public and private sector from the Fortune 500 to many of the world's preeminent intelligence and law enforcement agencies, N2K helps space and cybersecurity professionals grow, learn and stay informed. As the nexus for discovery and connection, we bring you the people, the technology and the ideas shaping the future of secure innovation. Learn [e-mail] N2K's lead producer is Liz Stokes. We are mixed by Elliot Peltzman and Trey Hester with original music by Elliot Peltzman. Our executive producer is Jennifer Ivan. Peter Kilpe is our publisher and I am your host, Maria Varmazes. Thank you for listening. We'll see you next week.

[B]

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