Mark Kelly, a U.S. senator and former astronaut, co-founded World View, a company that initially focused on space tourism using stratospheric balloons but later shifted to providing remote sensing services, including to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Kelly's company received funding from Tencent, a corporation with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, a fact which has raised concerns given Kelly's potential consideration as a vice-presidential candidate alongside presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, as Fox News reports.

From Astronaut to Entrepreneur

Before becoming a senator, Kelly had an illustrious career as an astronaut. His profound interest in space led him to co-found World View in 2012 in Tucson, Arizona.

World View initially aimed its efforts on the prospect of space tourism, using stratospheric balloons to offer unique experiences. The company's objectives, however, evolved over time.

Recognizing broader applications, World View transitioned to providing remote sensing services to a variety of customers, including the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and NOAA.

Funding and Concerns

The company secured substantial financial backing from Tencent, a major Chinese corporation with significant influence. Investments from Tencent came in 2013 and 2016.

Tencent, known for its widely used WeChat app, has been linked to extensive data collection and surveillance capabilities, which raised alarm about its involvement in World View.

While World View assures that Tencent has no operational control, input, or access to the company, the connections have become a point of contention.

This is especially true considering Kelly’s current role as a senator and potential vice-presidential candidate.

Shifting Focus and Leadership

According to a World View spokesperson, as technology developed, the company saw valuable immediate use cases in providing remote sensing services to defense, scientific, and commercial sectors.

Today, World View's primary mission concentrates on delivering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied nations. Additionally, it continues to serve scientific organizations to enhance the understanding of Earth's stratosphere.

In 2019, new leadership at World View took proactive measures to ensure the company’s insulation from Chinese investor influence. These steps included curtailing any involvement from representatives of Chinese investors.

Kelly’s Departure and Current Financial Interests

Kelly stepped away from his active role at World View in 2019 to pursue a U.S. Senate seat. His financial interests in the company are now held in a blind trust.

The connection between Kelly and Tencent dates back to a 2014 meeting in which Kelly briefly discussed space tourism with the head of Tencent USA. Kelly described this interaction as extremely brief, lasting no more than a minute.

With Kelly being a potential candidate for a higher office, his association with World View and its Chinese funding has drawn scrutiny from political observers and media outlets like the New York Times.

Industry Applications and Political Implications

In addition to defense and scientific services, World View provides valuable remote sensing services to various industries such as oil and gas, utility, mining, shipping, and insurance.

Jane Poynter, the former CEO of World View, confirmed that Kelly introduced the space tourism technology to Tencent’s U.S. leader during their meeting in 2014. During Kelly’s campaign, he addressed this interaction, maintaining that it was a slight exchange.

Despite assurances from World View about the lack of Tencent's influence, the investment continues to generate debate about national security and political credibility.