---
project: icarus-orbital-systems
file: 05_gap_analysis
tags: [icarus, gaps, isdc-ready]
status: open
last_audited: 2026-04-29
---

# Icarus Orbital Systems — Gap Analysis

> *What's missing today vs. ISDC-ready and Phase-1-funding-ready. Ranked by blocking severity.*

---

## CRITICAL — blocks ISDC arrival

| # | Gap | Owner | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | **Investor packet contact block** (email · phone · Calendly · address) | Sandi | 5 min once values confirmed |
| 2 | **Designer hand-off** for packet HTML → print PDF | Sandi · designer | 1 brief + ~7 day turnaround |
| 3 | **Packet hosting URL decision** (icarusorbital.com · shawnedecker.com · Drive) | Sandi + Shawn | 30 min decision |
| 4 | **Real QR for flyer** (encoding the hosted packet URL) | Sandi · post-hosting decision | 5 min once URL stable |
| 5 | **NASA Langley advisor naming policy** (open · on-request · remove) | Sandi + Troy + advisor | Coordinate with advisor |

---

## HIGH — improves ISDC outcomes

| # | Gap | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | **ESA 2024 number verified to exact figure** (currently sourced "130M+ >1mm") | 30 min source pull |
| 7 | **Conference table location confirmed** | 1 email to organizer |
| 8 | **iPad demo loop prepared** (PPTX deck · Dragonfly portfolio HTML · 5-min auto-loop) | 1 sitting |
| 9 | **Conference travel + lodging booked** | 1 sitting |
| 10 | **Backup printed copies in case primary stash damaged** | bulk print order |

---

## MEDIUM — Phase 1 funding readiness

| # | Gap | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | **Specific raise size + instrument** (SAFE? priced round? convertible?) | Conversation-by-conversation now; lock before lead investor identified |
| 12 | **Cap table model** (founders · advisors · option pool · target raise dilution) | Required by serious investors |
| 13 | **Use-of-funds breakdown** for the raise | Standard diligence ask |
| 14 | **Diligence room** (data room with all source files · contracts · IP filings) | Before serious diligence begins |
| 15 | **References Sandi/Troy will provide** | 3-5 names ready before any lead investor asks |

---

## LOW — defer

| # | Item | Why defer |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Custom domain icarusorbital.com if unregistered | Can use shawnedecker.com or temporary path until raise closes |
| 17 | Full IP filings (patents · trademarks) | Phase 2+ work · pre-seed too early |
| 18 | Press kit beyond bare media-kit | Wait until milestone worth announcing |
| 19 | Secondary investor segments (corporate VC · sovereign · family office) | Focus on aerospace-experienced VC for Phase 1 |

---

## Closing the critical path

```mermaid
flowchart TD
    A[Day 1: contact block confirmed] --> B[Day 1: designer brief sent]
    B --> C[Day 7: designer typeset PDF returned]
    C --> D[Day 8: print test copy]
    D --> E{Print quality OK?}
    E -->|no| F[Day 9-10: re-typeset]
    E -->|yes| G[Day 10: hosting URL decided]
    F --> G
    G --> H[Day 11: real QR generated]
    H --> I[Day 12: flyer print test]
    I --> J{Flyer OK?}
    J -->|no| K[Re-print]
    J -->|yes| L[Day 14-21: production print run]
    K --> L
    L --> M[Day 21+: shipping or hand-carry to ISDC]

    style A fill:#1F4D4A,stroke:#163A38,color:#fff
    style M fill:#3D7A4E,stroke:#1F4D4A,color:#fff
```

---

## Cross-references

- [[02_action_plan]] · [[06_quick_start]]
- [[../../../../sandi-system-engine/_knowledge/TIER_1_ACTION_CARDS]] T1-C, T1-D
