The Missing Sensor, with Nicolaas Verheem (CEO of TRL11)

Spacecraft carry all kinds of sensors, but rarely the one humans rely on most: video. Despite offering the richest insight per watt, gram, and dollar, cameras have been largely absent from orbit.That’s what TRL11 is out to change. The company is building radiation-tolerant optics, edge computers that process and compress video in real time, and ground software that turns footage into operational awareness. On this episode of Valley of Depth, I’m joined by Nicolaas Verheem, founder and CEO of TRL11. Nicolaas shares how his journey from pioneering wireless video at Teradek, work that won both technical Academy and Emmy Awards, led him to ask why space was still flying blind. We trace TRL11’s path from early in-orbit demos to commercial traction with operators and defense, and dig into how edge intelligence and video awareness could transform the space economy. We also discuss:• Why video is the “missing sensor” in space• Lessons from TRL11’s first orbital missionsThe three core use cases: health monitoring, mission awareness, and mission enablement• How software, not hardware, creates a lasting moat in space video• The long-term vision of human-like awareness in space…and more. • Chapters •01:03 – Nicol and Starwars and Startrek03:10 – Nicol winning an Academy Award and an Emmy04:14 – Nicol at Teradek05:13 – How Teradek inspired Nicol's current company TRL1106:30 – How video applies to the space industry09:41 – Why do we need video and what problem does it solve?12:56 – A ring camera for space17:06 – The story behind the company name19:32 – TRL11's current product offerings21:43 – Showing the operator what matters on screen24:53 – How do you build a space camera?26:45 – What TRL11 has learned in their early orbit tests29:06 – TRL11's primary first customers32:25 – Making the case for investors36:45 – Should every spacecraft have video onboard?38:03 – The importance of video for inspiration40:03 – Misunderstandings when it comes to video from partners, investors, and customers41:10 – Lessons Nicol learned building a company in the space industry42:42 – Fundraising at TRL1144:26 – Legacy and product evolution • Show notes •TRL11’s website — https://www.trl11.com/Mo's socials — https://twitter.com/itsmoislamPayload’s socials — https://twitter.com/payloadspace / https://www.linkedin.com/company/payloadspaceIgnition’s socials — https://twitter.com/ignitionnuclear /  https://www.linkedin.com/company/ignition-nuclear/Tectonic’s socials — https://twitter.com/tectonicdefense / https://www.linkedin.com/company/tectonicdefense/Valley of Depth archive — Listen: https://pod.payloadspace.com/ • About us •Valley of Depth is a podcast about the technologies that matter — and the people building them. Brought to you by Arkaea Media, the team behind Payload (space), Ignition (nuclear energy), and Tectonic (defense tech), this show goes beyond headlines and hype. We talk to founders, investors, government officials, and military leaders shaping the future of national security and deep tech. From breakthrough science to strategic policy, we dive into the high-stakes decisions behind the world’s hardest technologies. Payload: www.payloadspace.com Ignition: www.ignition-news.comTectonic: www.tectonicdefense.com