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

May 24, 2021
UK Government Introduces Spaceport Licensing Regulations
British spaceports will be able to apply for operating licenses this summer, paving the way for launch from the UK mainland in 2022.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 21, 2021
ULA Buys Time For Vulcan NSSL Certification
With blessings from the U.S. Space Force, United Launch Alliance (ULA) is shifting the first national security space launch (NSSL) mission planned for a Vulcan Centaur rocket onto an Atlas V, buying time to complete two non-NSSL launches which are needed to certify the new booster for military missions.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 20, 2021
Aerojet Pays Fine, Expands Hiring To Legal Non-U.S. Citizens
Aerojet Rocketdyne has agreed to pay a $37,008 fine to the U.S. government and worked to significantly change its hiring practices to include lawful permanent residents at U.S. sites.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 20, 2021
Virgin Galactic Targets May 22 For Next SpaceShipTwo Flight
Potential issues with the WhiteKnightTwo carrier jet for Virgin Galactic’s air-launched SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane have been resolved, clearing the way for the company to resume flight tests as early as May 22, pending weather and technical checks.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 18, 2021
York Space Unveils ‘Mega’ Factory, Eyes Classified Cyber Satellites
The new three-story building, next to York’s other two buildings, will allow for a fourfold increase in production capacity once fully utilized.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 24, 2021
UK Government Introduces Spaceport Licensing Regulations
British spaceports will be able to apply for operating licenses this summer, paving the way for launch from the UK mainland in 2022.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 21, 2021
ULA Buys Time For Vulcan NSSL Certification
With blessings from the U.S. Space Force, United Launch Alliance (ULA) is shifting the first national security space launch (NSSL) mission planned for a Vulcan Centaur rocket onto an Atlas V, buying time to complete two non-NSSL launches which are needed to certify the new booster for military missions.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 20, 2021
Aerojet Pays Fine, Expands Hiring To Legal Non-U.S. Citizens
Aerojet Rocketdyne has agreed to pay a $37,008 fine to the U.S. government and worked to significantly change its hiring practices to include lawful permanent residents at U.S. sites.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 20, 2021
Virgin Galactic Targets May 22 For Next SpaceShipTwo Flight
Potential issues with the WhiteKnightTwo carrier jet for Virgin Galactic’s air-launched SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane have been resolved, clearing the way for the company to resume flight tests as early as May 22, pending weather and technical checks.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 18, 2021
York Space Unveils ‘Mega’ Factory, Eyes Classified Cyber Satellites
The new three-story building, next to York’s other two buildings, will allow for a fourfold increase in production capacity once fully utilized.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 13, 2021
Roscosmos To Launch Film Crew, Tourists Aboard Soyuz
The next two piloted flights to the International Space Station aboard Russian Soyuz MS spacecraft later this year will be carrying civilians—a film crew first, and later, tourists.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 13, 2021
UK Quantum Encryption Startup Arqit Goes Public With Virgin Orbit
Arqit, a four-year-old British startup aiming to provide quantum encryption for communications, announced May 12 it will become a publicly traded company after a two-step merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 12, 2021
Rocket Lab Readies For Upgraded Reusable Electron Tests
Rocket Lab is poised to conduct the first of two additional tests of Electron launch vehicles specially modified for reusability which, if successful, could pave the way for the first mid-air recovery of a booster for re-use as early as next year.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report