"Where Are They Now?" is our new spotlight series celebrating the ongoing achievements and forward momentum of the brilliant minds of SPACEtalks speakers.
In this second edition, we reconnect with Luis Torres, CEO & Founder of Orbital Tom, to dive into the team's latest breakthroughs. From field-testing lunar tech to advancing their mission for sustainable space infrastructure, let’s catch up.
Have there been any major milestones or breakthroughs in your work or research recently?
We completed field tests for Tochtli III, our modular rover prototype. It now includes a centrifugal sieving unit and a Direct Kinetic Attrition (DKA) tool for early-stage regolith processing. These systems are key steps toward the M-AEL mission we presented at SPACEtalks.
Can you share any updates on the project or idea you discussed during SPACEtalks?
Since presenting M-AEL, we’ve focused on de-risking its core technologies through Tochtli. The rover now serves as a test platform for excavation, mobility, and processing modules that reflect M-AEL’s planned payload system
What’s something you’ve accomplished recently that you’re particularly proud of?
We’ve iterated a fully functional prototype without outside funding, validated mobility and system integration, and presented internationally. Seeing Tochtli operate as a real, working platform has been a major milestone.
What developments in the space tech world have excited or surprised you most this year?
The growing sense of collaboration among early-stage companies. Startups are each tackling a piece of the lunar supply chain - power, excavation, construction - and those efforts are starting to align. It’s encouraging to see the community treating lunar infrastructure as a shared challenge.
Are there any challenges the space sector is facing that you think aren’t getting enough attention?
Dust is still not treated as a mission-critical problem. Prevention, suppression, and forced weathering should be designed into systems from the start. We also need to focus on achievable milestones, not just aspirational roadmaps.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the community or highlight?
We’re building more than hardware. TOM reflects a broader vision of access, responsibility, and cultural identity. We hope our work helps open space for new voices, and new ways to build beyond Earth.
As Orbital Tom continues to iterate, test, and dream beyond Earth, their work reminds us that space exploration isn’t just about engineering; it’s about shaping the kind of future we want to build together. We're proud to have Luis and the TOM team in the SPACEtalks community.
Stay tuned for more stories from our network, where bold ideas meet real-world impact.
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