It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

ICEYE: Delivering Real Time Value at Global Scale!

18 March 2026

Summary:

In this Protect Europe Podcast (PEP), Colin Brown interviews Seppo Aaltonen, VP, NATO & Nordics, Mission Systems for ICEYE,

They discuss data as “Real Time Value” for defence and managing humanitarian crises as they happen.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Real Time Value at Global Scale
  • 64 satellites is only the beginning!
  • Real-time data from satellites is crucial for disaster response.
  • NATO is increasingly focusing on space as a domain for defense.
  • European companies are gaining opportunities in defense contracts due to geopolitical shifts.
  • Cultural fit and teamwork are essential for ICEYE’s growth.
  • Seppo’s military background enhances his understanding of customer needs.
  • Ukraine’s defence innovation ecosystem is rapidly evolving because of the conflict.

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Bodyguards for Satellites

9 February 2026

Summary:

In this week’s Protect Europe Podcast (PEP), Colin Brown and Neil Buchanan, Co-Founder of Lodestar Space go deep (pun intended) on what it takes to build a hard tech company from scratch.


Lodestar Space is focused on building “bodyguards for satellites” or to put it another way “fully autonomous AI fighter pilots for space”.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • For the last five to 10 years, the public has been unaware of the threats to satellite infrastructure
  • We should have solved the vulnerabilities in space years ago.
  • If conflict arises, the West will lose quickly in space.
  • There is a growing dependency on satellite systems for everyday functions.
  • The current state of space security is a significant vulnerability.
  • Future conflicts may extend beyond Earth into space.
  • Building an orbital bodyguard is essential for protection.
  • The failure to address these issues impacts those in uniform.
  • The reliance on GPS and timing systems is increasing.
  • Proactive measures are necessary to defend our satellite infrastructure.
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It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

The Future of Camera Tech Is Inspired by the Human Retina

16 January 2026

Summary

This conversation explores the incredible capabilities of the retina in capturing images and reacting to stimuli, comparing its speed and resolution to conventional camera technology. It highlights advancements in machine vision technology that aim to replicate these remarkable features.

Join Colin Brown, Ruy Pinto and Diffraqtion’s CEO Johannes Galatsanos to dive deep on the capability his company will unlock.
Recorded shortly after Diffraqtion won a one million investment from Slush 2025.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • The retina reacts to shapes and movement quickly.

  • It triggers responses faster than conventional technology.

  • Retina-inspired technology achieves 20 times the resolution of cameras.

  • It operates at 1,000 times the speed of traditional cameras.

  • Machine vision is evolving to match biological systems.

  • The sharpness of machine vision is unprecedented.

  • Understanding the retina can inspire technological advancements.

  • Speed and resolution are critical in imaging technology.

  • Innovations in vision technology can enhance various fields, but particularly Space.

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Why Satellites Could Decide the Future of Defense

1 October 2025

In this episode of the Protect Europe Podcast (PEP), Colin and Vesa talk with Pekka Laurila, co-founder of ICEYE, about the company’s ambitious vision for 2035, its current operational focus, and the exciting use cases of its imaging radar technology in the defense sector.

Pekka discusses the scaling of satellite launches, the economics of production, and the dynamics of their growing global team. 

TAKEAWAYS:

  • In 2035, ICEYE aims to be a key player in digital infrastructure.
  • The company has been doubling its revenue every year for the past decade and is currently at the 100M range.
  • Imaging radar technology is revolutionizing defense operations.
  • The number of satellites directly impacts coverage and response times.
  • Economies of scale in satellite production are complex and challenging.
  • The team is approaching 1,000 members, with a significant presence in Finland.
  • Bottlenecks in growth include physical constraints and supply chain issues.