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

Dec 17, 2021
Reusable Rocket Startup Stoke Space Lands $65M Series A Round
Stoke Space, a startup trying to develop a completely reusable rocket for the burgeoning commercial satellite market, has closed a $65 million Series A venture capital round that will go toward developing a rapidly repeatable second-stage segment.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 17, 2021
Honeywell, Skyloom Partner As LEO Fleet Optical Comms Heat Up
As the military and burgeoning commercial space sector eye thousands of new satellites in low-Earth orbit companies such as Honeywell International and Skyloom Global are teaming to provide more secure and higher-performance optical-communication products and services.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 17, 2021
Virgin Orbit Buys Stake In Hypersat Constellation Partner
Virgin Orbit is taking a 17.5% stake in partner Hypersat as the companies work to launch a six-satellite constellation to provide hyperspectral imaging from low Earth orbit.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 16, 2021
Thailand’s Mu Space Corp Promises $4M Communication Satellite
The MU-B200 is a 200-kg (441-lb.) 1.2 kW satellite that aims to provide 5-Gbps (V-band) communications over Southeast Asia.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 16, 2021
China’s Kuaizhou-1A Launch Vehicle Fails To Reach Orbit
Two commercial positioning and communication satellites onboard—GeeSAT-1A and 1B—were lost in the Dec. 15 failure. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 17, 2021
Reusable Rocket Startup Stoke Space Lands $65M Series A Round
Stoke Space, a startup trying to develop a completely reusable rocket for the burgeoning commercial satellite market, has closed a $65 million Series A venture capital round that will go toward developing a rapidly repeatable second-stage segment.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 17, 2021
Honeywell, Skyloom Partner As LEO Fleet Optical Comms Heat Up
As the military and burgeoning commercial space sector eye thousands of new satellites in low-Earth orbit companies such as Honeywell International and Skyloom Global are teaming to provide more secure and higher-performance optical-communication products and services.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 17, 2021
Virgin Orbit Buys Stake In Hypersat Constellation Partner
Virgin Orbit is taking a 17.5% stake in partner Hypersat as the companies work to launch a six-satellite constellation to provide hyperspectral imaging from low Earth orbit.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 16, 2021
Thailand’s Mu Space Corp Promises $4M Communication Satellite
The MU-B200 is a 200-kg (441-lb.) 1.2 kW satellite that aims to provide 5-Gbps (V-band) communications over Southeast Asia.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 16, 2021
China’s Kuaizhou-1A Launch Vehicle Fails To Reach Orbit
Two commercial positioning and communication satellites onboard—GeeSAT-1A and 1B—were lost in the Dec. 15 failure. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 16, 2021
Multi-Orbit Strategies Gain Traction Among Satellite Operators
A growing number of satellite operators are either pursuing a multi-orbit strategy to provide high-capacity, low-latency data services, or are ready to jump on the bandwagon.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 15, 2021
Commercial Space, AAM Could Become Stiff Competition for MRO Workforce Talent
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is already seeing MRO graduates being poached by emerging industries such as commercial space.
Aviation Week MRO
Dec 15, 2021
ArianeGroup’s Micro-Launcher To Be First In Reusable Family
ArianeGroup's CEO has shared the company's vision based on launchers of different sizes using common technologies.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report