For years, the space economy has been defined by rockets and satellites—who can launch bigger, build faster, reach farther. But Bridgit Mendler, CEO of Northwood Space, wants the industry to look down instead of up.
Speaking at the Fortune Brainstorm Tech conference in Aspen, Colorado on Tuesday, Mendler declared that the next frontier of the space economy isn’t in orbit or on the launch pad. It’s on the ground.
The infrastructure building era has arrived
Mendler described the last six years as a period of explosive growth in launch capacity and spacecraft manufacturing. Satellites have evolved from isolated scientific missions into massive constellations numbering in the thousands. But this rapid expansion has exposed a critical weakness: the ground systems that connect these satellites to Earth have not kept pace.
“This is the infrastructure building era of space,” Mendler said, emphasizing that the ground segment—the networking system linking Earth and space—is now the bottleneck holding back the entire industry.
Why ground infrastructure matters more than ever
Without robust ground infrastructure, Mendler argued, a satellite is little more than “a really expensive hump of metal up in space.” The value of a satellite lies in its ability to send and receive data, execute commands, and deliver services to users on Earth. All of that depends on ground stations, antennas, and networking systems that are often outdated or underfunded.
For consumers, this means satellite internet, Earth observation, and communications services could face delays, higher costs, or reliability issues if ground infrastructure remains neglected. For industries like agriculture, logistics, and defense that increasingly rely on space-based data, the stakes are even higher.
How the ground segment fell behind
Mendler explained that the ground segment has historically been the slowest part of space missions due to misaligned incentives. Launch providers and satellite manufacturers focused on their own rapid innovation, while ground infrastructure was treated as an afterthought—often built as custom, one-off systems for each mission.
This fragmented approach meant that ground stations were expensive to build, slow to deploy, and difficult to scale. As satellite constellations grew, the mismatch between space and ground capabilities became impossible to ignore.
Who is affected by the ground infrastructure gap
The impact is felt across the space ecosystem. Satellite operators struggle with limited communication windows and high latency. Startups face long delays in getting their satellites operational because ground stations aren’t ready. Even established players like SpaceX and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which are building massive constellations, need reliable ground networks to make their services work.
For the average person, this translates into slower internet speeds, less reliable satellite phone connections, and higher costs for space-based services. Mendler’s message is clear: the space economy cannot scale without fixing the ground.
Northwood Space’s approach to modernizing ground infrastructure
Northwood Space is tackling this problem by vertically integrating the entire ground segment process—from antenna hardware research and development to software APIs that allow customers to easily connect their satellites. This approach enables faster deployment, shared services, and lower costs.
Mendler described Northwood’s model as a “networking system” rather than a collection of individual ground stations. By building a unified platform, the company aims to make ground infrastructure as scalable and reliable as cloud computing is for software.
What this means for the space economy’s future
Mendler’s argument reframes the space economy debate. While headlines focus on Starship launches, Starlink constellations, and Mars missions, the real work of making space useful for Earth may happen in antenna farms and data centers on the ground.
The ground segment is not glamorous, but it is essential. Without it, the trillion-dollar space economy that investors and governments envision will remain out of reach. Northwood Space is betting that the next wave of space innovation will be built on Earth.
Confirmed facts vs what remains unclear
Confirmed: Mendler spoke at Fortune Brainstorm Tech on Tuesday, June 10, 2026. She described the current period as an “infrastructure building era” for space. She emphasized that ground infrastructure is the critical missing piece for satellite constellations. Northwood Space is vertically integrating ground segment hardware and software.
Unclear: Specific revenue figures, customer contracts, and deployment timelines for Northwood Space’s ground infrastructure were not disclosed in the public remarks. The company’s valuation and funding details remain private.
Northwood Space’s moat: vertical integration and platform approach
Northwood Space’s competitive advantage lies in its decision to vertically integrate the ground segment. Unlike traditional ground station providers that offer piecemeal solutions, Northwood controls the entire stack—from antenna design to software APIs. This allows faster iteration, lower costs, and a unified user experience.
The company’s platform model also creates a network effect: as more satellites connect to Northwood’s network, the infrastructure becomes more valuable for all users. This is similar to how cloud platforms like AWS gained dominance by offering scalable, shared infrastructure.
Risks and balanced view
Despite the promise, ground infrastructure remains a capital-intensive business. Building and maintaining a global network of ground stations requires significant investment, and competition from established players like KSAT, SSC, and Amazon’s AWS Ground Station is fierce.
Critics might argue that the ground segment is already being addressed by existing providers, and that Northwood’s vertical integration approach may not be necessary if standards improve. There is also the risk that satellite operators prefer to build their own ground networks for security or control reasons.
Mendler’s vision assumes that the space economy will continue to grow at its current pace. Any slowdown in satellite launches or a shift toward alternative communication methods (like laser links between satellites) could reduce demand for traditional ground infrastructure.
Wider trend: the commoditization of space infrastructure
Mendler’s remarks reflect a broader shift in the space industry. The early phase was dominated by launch providers and satellite manufacturers. Now, the focus is moving toward the services and infrastructure that make space useful for everyday life.
This trend mirrors the evolution of the internet: first came the cables and routers (ground infrastructure), then the applications. The space economy is now in its “cable-laying” phase, and companies like Northwood Space are positioning themselves as the backbone of the next digital revolution.
What readers should take away
For investors, the message is that ground infrastructure may be an overlooked opportunity in the space sector. For entrepreneurs, it highlights the importance of solving boring but essential problems. For the general public, it explains why your satellite internet might get faster—or why it might not—in the coming years.
If you rely on satellite services for work, communication, or navigation, the health of ground infrastructure directly affects your experience. Paying attention to companies like Northwood Space is not just about space nerds—it’s about the quality of services you use every day.
Future outlook
Mendler’s vision suggests that the next five years will see a surge in ground infrastructure investment. As satellite constellations from SpaceX, Amazon, and others come online, the demand for reliable ground networks will only grow. Northwood Space could become a key player in this ecosystem, but it will face stiff competition from incumbents and new entrants alike.
The ultimate test will be whether Northwood can scale its platform quickly enough to meet demand, and whether the space economy’s growth trajectory holds. If Mendler is right, the next frontier of space is not in the stars—it’s in the antennas pointing at them.
Our Take
Mendler’s argument is compelling because it reframes a neglected part of the space industry as its most critical enabler. The space economy has been obsessed with launch and satellites, but the ground segment is where the rubber meets the road—or rather, where the data meets the user.
Northwood Space’s vertical integration approach is smart, but it’s not a guaranteed win. The company will need to execute flawlessly, secure major customers, and navigate a competitive landscape. Still, Mendler’s clarity about the problem and the solution makes Northwood a company to watch.
The broader lesson is that the next wave of innovation often comes from fixing the boring, broken parts of an industry. In space, that means looking down before looking up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ground infrastructure in the space economy?
Ground infrastructure refers to the Earth-based systems—antennas, ground stations, data centers, and networking equipment—that communicate with satellites in orbit. It is the critical link between space assets and users on Earth.
Why does Bridgit Mendler say ground infrastructure is the next frontier?
Mendler argues that while satellite launches and manufacturing have advanced rapidly, ground infrastructure has lagged behind. Without modern ground networks, satellites cannot effectively send and receive data, limiting the entire space economy’s growth.
What does Northwood Space do?
Northwood Space builds ground segment infrastructure, including antenna hardware and software APIs, to connect satellites to Earth. The company vertically integrates the entire process to enable faster deployment and shared services for satellite operators.
How does ground infrastructure affect everyday people?
Ground infrastructure directly impacts the reliability and speed of satellite internet, satellite phone services, Earth observation data, and GPS. Poor ground infrastructure means slower, less reliable services for consumers and businesses that depend on space-based technology.
