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

Apr 22, 2021
Satellite manufacturer Airbus Defense and Space has committed to one launch and an undisclosed number of optional launches with Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum micro-launcher.
Apr 22, 2021
Space situational awareness startup LeoLabs has declared its fourth space radar site fully operational in Costa Rica.
Apr 22, 2021
UK startup Satellite Vu has raised £3.6 million ($5 million) in seed funding to begin building a thermal-imaging satellite constellation that will be able to measure the energy efficiency of any building in the world from low Earth orbit.
Apr 22, 2021
Spire Global is to build a second smallsat to monitor microdebris in low Earth orbit with funding from Austrian new-space investor Findus Venture. 
Apr 21, 2021
Airbus’ OneSat new-generation satellite program is ready to enter the production phase, says Francois Gaullier, head of Airbus Telecom Systems.
Apr 22, 2021
Satellite manufacturer Airbus Defense and Space has committed to one launch and an undisclosed number of optional launches with Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum micro-launcher.
Apr 22, 2021
Space situational awareness startup LeoLabs has declared its fourth space radar site fully operational in Costa Rica.
Apr 22, 2021
UK startup Satellite Vu has raised £3.6 million ($5 million) in seed funding to begin building a thermal-imaging satellite constellation that will be able to measure the energy efficiency of any building in the world from low Earth orbit.
Apr 22, 2021
Spire Global is to build a second smallsat to monitor microdebris in low Earth orbit with funding from Austrian new-space investor Findus Venture. 
Apr 21, 2021
Airbus’ OneSat new-generation satellite program is ready to enter the production phase, says Francois Gaullier, head of Airbus Telecom Systems.
Apr 20, 2021
It is “highly unlikely” that NASA will return to the Moon’s surface with human explorers in 2024 due to technical, budget and workplace constraints linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency’s inspector general says.
Apr 19, 2021
CAPE CANAVERAL—Amazon has contracted with United Launch Alliance to deliver nine batches of its Kuiper broadband satellites into low Earth orbit aboard Atlas V rockets, the companies said on April 19.
Apr 19, 2021
Startup nonprofit Carbon Mapper, Inc. is leading a coalition of commercial, state and federal government agencies and academic partners in an effort to identify and expand a global awareness of major point source emissions of carbon dioxide and methane in order to lessen their contribution to climate change.