When people think about space, the first images that come to mind are usually rockets, satellites, and astronauts floating in orbit. But the future of space is just as much about algorithms and compute power as it is about propulsion systems and spacecraft. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, the Aerospace Corporation is pulling back the curtain on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the space economy — through bold startups and cutting-edge research.
This year, Disrupt is home to two major aerospace-driven sessions that highlight just how much is at stake in orbit and beyond. Together, they offer a front-row seat to the next wave of innovation that will define how we explore, protect, and expand humanity’s presence in space.
Monday October 27 — Industry Stage: Space
Aerospace Startup Showcase: Solving the Hardest Problems in Space
8:35 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. PT
Presented by the Aerospace Corporation
Space isn’t for the faint of heart. From orbital debris to deep-space navigation, the challenges are among the most complex in any industry. That’s why the Aerospace Corporation is hosting a high-stakes pitch-off featuring startups pushing the limits of what’s possible.
Expect to see founders unveiling AI-powered breakthroughs in:
Space exploration: Automating mission planning and navigation for journeys far beyond Earth.
Automating mission planning and navigation for journeys far beyond Earth. Orbital intelligence: Tracking, modeling, and predicting satellite behavior to prevent collisions in an increasingly crowded sky.
Tracking, modeling, and predicting satellite behavior to prevent collisions in an increasingly crowded sky. Space infrastructure: Using data and AI to optimize everything from communications relays to on-orbit servicing.
If you want to witness early-stage companies tackling the kind of problems that make or break billion-dollar missions, this is where to be
Monday October 27 — Industry Stage: Space
AI at the Edge: Startups Powering the Future of Space
11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. PT
Presented by the Aerospace Corporation
Techcrunch event Join 10k+ tech and VC leaders for growth and connections at Disrupt 2025 Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Hugging Face, Elad Gil, Vinod Khosla — just some of the 250+ heavy hitters leading 200+ sessions designed to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech. Grab your ticket before doors open to save up to $444. Join 10k+ tech and VC leaders for growth and connections at Disrupt 2025 Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Hugging Face, Elad Gil, Vinod Khosla — just some of the 250+ heavy hitters leading 200+ sessions designed to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss a chance to learn from the top voices in tech. Grab your ticket before doors open to save up to $444. San Francisco | REGISTER NOW
While the showcase spotlights bold new entrants, the second Aerospace session zooms in on a critical theme: AI at the edge.
Space is an unforgiving environment — latency, bandwidth constraints, and mission-critical decision-making make traditional cloud computing impractical. That’s why autonomous systems, resilient compute, and onboard intelligence are rapidly becoming the backbone of modern space missions.
This session brings together leading innovators to break down:
Autonomous systems that make spacecraft smarter and safer.
that make spacecraft smarter and safer. Resilient compute architectures designed for hostile environments.
architectures designed for hostile environments. Onboard intelligence that turns raw satellite data into real-time, actionable insights.
This is where the theory of AI collides with the reality of spaceflight — and where startups are proving that smaller, faster, and smarter can outpace even the biggest incumbents.
The Aerospace Corporation’s programming at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 offers a rare look at how both are converging to build the future of space. If you care about innovation, infrastructure, or the next trillion-dollar economy, you’ll want to be in the room.