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

Oct 05, 2021
World View Opens Reservations With Lower-Cost Space Tourism Pitch
The stratospheric balloon operator is jumping into the space tourism industry, announcing Oct. 4 it is accepting $500 deposits for its “edge-of-space” trips to an altitude of 100,000 ft.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Oct 04, 2021
Star Trek Actor Shatner Headed For Final Frontier
William Shatner, the Canadian actor whose portrayal of Capt. James T. Kirk in the 1966-69 television show Star Trek brought depictions of space exploration to millions of households, will get a real taste of space as a guest passenger aboard Blue Origin’s next New Shepard suborbital flight.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Oct 01, 2021
SpaceX Cargo Dragon Capsule Splashes Down
SpaceX’s 23rd NASA-contracted Dragon resupply mission to the International Space Station splashed down under parachute in the ocean waters off Florida’s Atlantic coast near St. Augustine late Sept. 30, returning a 4,600-lb. cargo that included time-sensitive scientific research.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Sep 30, 2021
Launchspace To Test Debris Shield On ISS
U.S. startup Launchspace Technologies has signed a contract with Airbus to test its orbital debris remediation and spacecraft shielding technology for 12 months on the Bartolomeo external platform on the International Space Station.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Sep 30, 2021
Starfish Advances Satellite Servicing Ambitions
U.S. satellite servicing startup Starfish Space has raised $7 million in funding to develop its planned Otter space tug.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Oct 05, 2021
World View Opens Reservations With Lower-Cost Space Tourism Pitch
The stratospheric balloon operator is jumping into the space tourism industry, announcing Oct. 4 it is accepting $500 deposits for its “edge-of-space” trips to an altitude of 100,000 ft.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Oct 04, 2021
Star Trek Actor Shatner Headed For Final Frontier
William Shatner, the Canadian actor whose portrayal of Capt. James T. Kirk in the 1966-69 television show Star Trek brought depictions of space exploration to millions of households, will get a real taste of space as a guest passenger aboard Blue Origin’s next New Shepard suborbital flight.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Oct 01, 2021
SpaceX Cargo Dragon Capsule Splashes Down
SpaceX’s 23rd NASA-contracted Dragon resupply mission to the International Space Station splashed down under parachute in the ocean waters off Florida’s Atlantic coast near St. Augustine late Sept. 30, returning a 4,600-lb. cargo that included time-sensitive scientific research.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Sep 30, 2021
Launchspace To Test Debris Shield On ISS
U.S. startup Launchspace Technologies has signed a contract with Airbus to test its orbital debris remediation and spacecraft shielding technology for 12 months on the Bartolomeo external platform on the International Space Station.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Sep 30, 2021
Starfish Advances Satellite Servicing Ambitions
U.S. satellite servicing startup Starfish Space has raised $7 million in funding to develop its planned Otter space tug.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Sep 30, 2021
Honda Unveils eVTOL Air Taxi, Smallsat Launcher Programs
Automaker Honda has launched development of an electric vertical-takeoff air taxi and reusable small satellite launcher in a push to enter new business areas by leveraging its core technology capabilities.
Advanced Air Mobility
Sep 29, 2021
FAA Clears Virgin Galactic To Resume SpaceShipTwo Flights
The FAA on Sept. 29 signed off on Virgin Galactic’s plan to improve communications with the FAA during flight operations of SpaceShipTwo and request a larger zone of protected airspace to ensure violations, such as what occurred during its last flight on July 11, do not reoccur.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Sep 29, 2021
Eutelsat Rebuffs Drahi Takeover Proposal For Now
Eutelsat Communications confirmed Sept. 29 it had received an “unsolicited, preliminary” takeover proposal from billionaire Patrick Drahi but that his terms were not good enough.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report