In this episode of the Flagship Podcast, we sit down with Tyler Reid, co-founder and CEO of Xona Space, to explore the future of satellite navigation and why GPS as we know it is no longer enough.
Tyler shares his journey from space-obsessed kid to Stanford researcher to venture-backed space founder, and explains how Zona is building a next-generation positioning system designed for centimeter-level accuracy, stronger signals, and built-in security. We unpack how modern infrastructure depends on timing and location, why GPS is vulnerable to jamming and spoofing, and what new satellite constellations unlock for autonomous systems, defense, data centers, and everyday devices.
We also go deep on building a hard-tech startup: raising capital for space infrastructure, launching satellites, assembling the right team, and navigating the long road from research to orbit.
If you're interested in space tech, deep tech startups, autonomous systems, or the new space economy, this episode is for you.
Topics covered:
Why GPS needs an upgrade
How next-gen satellite navigation works
Centimeter-level positioning and resilient timing
Space infrastructure and low-Earth orbit constellations
From PhD research to space startup
Lessons from building a hardware + space company
The coming wave of space innovation and lunar missions
