# Are Satellite's the Future of IoT Connectivity? | Swarm a subsidiary of SpaceX's Sara Spangelo | Internet of Things

- Show: [IoT For All Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast)
- Published: 2022-12-15
- Length: 22m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-12-15-are-satellites-the-future-of-iot-connectivity-swarm-a-subsidiary-of-spacexs-sara
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/iot-for-all/episodes/Are-Satellites-the-Future-of-IoT-Connectivity---Swarm-a-subsidiary-of-SpaceXs-Sara-Spangelo--Internet-of-Things-e28bk4a

## Summary

Sara Spangelo, former co-founder of Swarm and now Senior Director of Satellite Engineering at SpaceX, discusses the evolution of satellite IoT connectivity and Swarm's acquisition by SpaceX. She details how Swarm launched over 160 tiny satellites to provide low-cost global coverage, enabling use cases like forest fire detection with Dryad and illegal logging monitoring with Rainforest Connection. Spangelo explains the transition from high-cost legacy systems to affordable solutions, highlighting Swarm's standalone asset tracker and the upcoming Starlink Direct to Cell program which aims to connect unmodified handsets and IoT devices directly to space.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-12-15-are-satellites-the-future-of-iot-connectivity-swarm-a-subsidiary-of-spacexs-sara#t=0) Introduction: Sara Spangelo and Swarm's Mission
- [2:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-12-15-are-satellites-the-future-of-iot-connectivity-swarm-a-subsidiary-of-spacexs-sara#t=141) Swarm's Founding Story and SpaceX Acquisition
- [6:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-12-15-are-satellites-the-future-of-iot-connectivity-swarm-a-subsidiary-of-spacexs-sara#t=397) The Satellite IoT Landscape and Cost Reduction
- [10:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-12-15-are-satellites-the-future-of-iot-connectivity-swarm-a-subsidiary-of-spacexs-sara#t=643) Key Use Cases: Environmental Monitoring and Energy
- [14:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-12-15-are-satellites-the-future-of-iot-connectivity-swarm-a-subsidiary-of-spacexs-sara#t=846) Future of Connectivity: Starlink Direct to Cell
- [16:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-12-15-are-satellites-the-future-of-iot-connectivity-swarm-a-subsidiary-of-spacexs-sara#t=988) Integration Challenges and Swarm's Asset Tracker

## Topics

- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Swarm (company)
- SpaceX (company)
- Starlink (product)
- Dryad (company)
- Rainforest Connection (company)
- Iridium (company)
- Orcom (company)
- Planet Lab (company)
- Social Capital (company)
- JPL (company)
- Google (company)
- Apple (company)
- T-Mobile (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Satellite Iot: Space-Based Connectivity Solutions With Oli Potter](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-10-24-satellite-iot-space-based-connectivity-solutions-with-oli-potter) (Over the Air)
- [Brandon Satrom Returns! Blues SVP talks Starnote, and cheap Satellite Communication!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2025-02-05-brandon-satrom-returns-blues-svp-talks-starnote-and-cheap-satellite-communicatio) (The Electromaker Show)
- [From Closed to Open Source: Revolutionizing the Satellite Industry with Ian Itz, Director of IoT at Iridium](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-02-29-from-closed-to-open-source-revolutionizing-the-satellite-industry-with-ian-itz-d) (Over the Air)
- [Space Age Bluetooth with Alex Haro](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-07-09-space-age-bluetooth-with-alex-haro) (The Amp Hour)
- [Building A Low-cost Satellite IoT Solution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2022-07-07-building-a-low-cost-satellite-iot-solution) (Over the Air)

## Citing this page

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