21. 02. 2024 | Natalie Bezděková

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Bridgit Mendler was made famous by the Disney Channel through such series as “Good Luck Charlie”, “Wizards of Waverly” and the movie “Lemonade Mouth”. But now the 33-year-old actress and singer is turning to space.

She recently announced on social network X that she has become CEO of Northwood Space, a company that aims to create a “data highway between Earth and space.” According to Mendler, the company has already raised $6.3 million in funding (about $148 million).

“We have a lot of work ahead of us, but that’s the fun part,” wrote Mendler, who has spent the last few years studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and also studied law at Harvard. Mendler previously told CNBC that she “totally fell in love with space law” while working in the Federal Communications Commission’s space office.

Northwood Space focuses on mass-producing ground stations instead of building rockets or satellites. These stations, also known as teleports, are typically large and often circular antennas that connect to satellites in space. The startup plans to conduct its first test of connecting to a spacecraft in orbit later this year.

Head of software Shaurya Luthra said the company wants to deliver ground stations “in days, not months” so satellite operators don’t have to spend time reconfiguring their networks. “If you want a special antenna, you have to wait 18 months to get it delivered, installed and built,” Luthra said. The startup is already attracting major venture capital investors.

Photo source: www.pexels.com

Natalie Bezděková

I am a student of Master's degree in Political Science. I am interested in marketing, especially copywriting and social media. I also focus on political and social events at home and abroad and technological innovations. My free time is filled with sports, reading and a passion for travel.