# Satlyt raises $8M to run AI on satellites with Google DeepMind’s Gemma

Digest AI · Hardware & Compute · published 2026-10-13T16:30:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/satlyt-raises-8m-to-run-ai-on-satellites-with-google-deepminds-gemma

## Summary

Satlyt, founded by former Google and SpaceX engineer Rama Afullo, has secured an $8 million seed round to develop software enabling AI workloads on satellites. The startup aims to create an open ecosystem for running AI models in orbit, reducing reliance on ground-based flight controllers and cutting costs by processing data onboard. Satlyt’s software already demonstrated a 60% reduction in transmission size for software error reports using Google DeepMind’s Gemma model on a Momentus satellite earlier this year.

The company’s first prototype will launch Thursday on a SpaceX rocket alongside Google’s Project Suncatcher. Satlyt’s software will run on a TakeMe2Space-built satellite, serving NASA, Stellerian, and TakeMe2Space itself. Investors like Non Sibi Ventures see potential in the growing number of satellites deploying GPUs, even without large-scale orbital data centers.

## Key points

- Satlyt raised $8M seed round led by Non Sibi Ventures to develop AI software for satellites
- Google DeepMind’s Gemma model on a Momentus satellite cut transmission size by 60%
- Company targets 20% satellite market share by decade’s end with shared compute cloud plans

## Why it matters

Satlyt’s software could slash satellite operating costs by processing AI tasks in orbit, reducing ground dependency and enabling real-time decision-making for spacecraft builders.

## Sources

1. [Satlyt, founded by a former Google and SpaceX product manager, raises $8M to run AI on satellites](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/13/satlyt-founded-by-a-former-google-and-spacex-product-manager-raises-8m-to-run-ai-on-satellites) (TechCrunch AI, 2026-10-13)

Part of the developing story: [Satlyt's AI Satellite Funding Journey](https://digestai.news/thread/satlyt-raises-8m-to-run-ai-on-satellites-with-googles-gemma-model) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Satlyt raises $8M to run AI on satellites with Google DeepMind’s Gemma", 13 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/satlyt-raises-8m-to-run-ai-on-satellites-with-google-deepminds-gemma

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