Commercial Space

The commercial space market, also known as the private space industry or NewSpace, is experiencing strong growth. This burgeoning sector encompasses activities such as satellite manufacturing, space tourism, rocket launches, satellite services and space exploration initiatives driven by private companies. Players like SpaceX and Blue Origin on the launch side, or Planet and Maxar with their in-orbit satellite constellations are revolutionizing the industry, making space more accessible and cost-effective. The demand for satellite internet, Earth observation, and space-based services has fueled investments and technological advancements. With the rise of reusable rockets, commercial crew missions, and ambitious plans for space mining and Mars colonization, the commercial space market is poised for exponential growth, promising exciting developments and opportunities into the future. 

News & Analysis

Jan 28, 2022
Mnuchin Stake Still Leaves Tough Start For Satellogic SPAC
Twelve-year-old Satellogic, an Earth observation satellite systems and analytics company, became publicly traded in late January after the reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), as well as an 11th-hour investment boost via former Trump administration Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 28, 2022
Roscosmos To Test New Rockets, Spaceship In 2023
Roscosmos plans to start testing the new Angara A5M and Soyuz-5 rockets as well as the Oryol spaceship, all of which are intended to replace legacy Soviet hardware still in operation.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 28, 2022
Anomalies Halt Astroscale Orbital Debris Capture Demo
Space debris removal startup Astroscale has halted an autonomous capture demonstration in low Earth orbit after detecting anomalous spacecraft conditions.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 27, 2022
In-Orbit Transportation Startup D-Orbit Goes Public In SPAC Deal
D-Orbit, an 11-year-old Italian startup offering the Ion Satellite Carrier for in-orbit positioning, unveiled a go-public effort on Jan. 27 to start trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange in a deal that should provide it up to $185 million.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 26, 2022
Chinese Spacecraft Functions As ‘Space Tug,’ Industry Official Reveals
A Chinese spacecraft that disappeared from orbit on Jan. 22 appears to be serving as a “space tug,” raising a defunct Chinese navigation satellite thousands of kilometers beyond geostationary orbit, according to a company that operates a network of more than 350 optical telescopes around the world.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 28, 2022
Mnuchin Stake Still Leaves Tough Start For Satellogic SPAC
Twelve-year-old Satellogic, an Earth observation satellite systems and analytics company, became publicly traded in late January after the reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), as well as an 11th-hour investment boost via former Trump administration Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 28, 2022
Roscosmos To Test New Rockets, Spaceship In 2023
Roscosmos plans to start testing the new Angara A5M and Soyuz-5 rockets as well as the Oryol spaceship, all of which are intended to replace legacy Soviet hardware still in operation.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 28, 2022
Anomalies Halt Astroscale Orbital Debris Capture Demo
Space debris removal startup Astroscale has halted an autonomous capture demonstration in low Earth orbit after detecting anomalous spacecraft conditions.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 27, 2022
In-Orbit Transportation Startup D-Orbit Goes Public In SPAC Deal
D-Orbit, an 11-year-old Italian startup offering the Ion Satellite Carrier for in-orbit positioning, unveiled a go-public effort on Jan. 27 to start trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange in a deal that should provide it up to $185 million.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 26, 2022
Chinese Spacecraft Functions As ‘Space Tug,’ Industry Official Reveals
A Chinese spacecraft that disappeared from orbit on Jan. 22 appears to be serving as a “space tug,” raising a defunct Chinese navigation satellite thousands of kilometers beyond geostationary orbit, according to a company that operates a network of more than 350 optical telescopes around the world.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 26, 2022
Space Memorial Provider Celestis Buys Ride On First ULA Vulcan
Houston-based Celestis, which flies cremated remains in one of the more unique—and long-lived—commercial space service ventures, is adding a second payload on United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) debut Vulcan mission, slated to launch later this year. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 26, 2022
First Virgin Orbit UK Launch To Carry Omani Satellite
An Omani satellite will be among the payloads launched from Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne when it makes its first launch from the UK later this year.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 25, 2022
European Commission Plans Fund To Assist Space Startups
The European Commission plans to establish a space investment fund to support startups.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report