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 19, 2021
Nonprofit Partnership Forges Carbon Mapping Initiative
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.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 16, 2021
Inmarsat Wins Inflight Connectivity Case In European Court
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has cleared the way for Inmarsat to continue operating its European Aviation Network (EAN) inflight connectivity system.
Aviation Daily
Apr 15, 2021
Sierra Space To Absorb Sierra Nevada’s Space Business
The owners of aerospace and defense group Sierra Nevada are creating an independent company to take over the former’s space business, to be called Sierra Space, which will sell to the burgeoning low-Earth-orbit and Moon commercial space markets.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 14, 2021
Geosat Broadband Startup Astranis Lands $250 Million, Awaits Launch
Astranis, a startup aiming to provide lower-cost broadband service from geostationary orbit, has announced $250 million in new financing.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 14, 2021
Orbital Sidekick Completes $16M Series A Round
Orbital Sidekick, a San Francisco-based startup aiming to offer satellite-based hyperspectral imaging and data analytics for the energy sector and others, has wrapped up a $16 million series A investment round, as expected.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 19, 2021
Nonprofit Partnership Forges Carbon Mapping Initiative
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.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 16, 2021
Inmarsat Wins Inflight Connectivity Case In European Court
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has cleared the way for Inmarsat to continue operating its European Aviation Network (EAN) inflight connectivity system.
Aviation Daily
Apr 15, 2021
Sierra Space To Absorb Sierra Nevada’s Space Business
The owners of aerospace and defense group Sierra Nevada are creating an independent company to take over the former’s space business, to be called Sierra Space, which will sell to the burgeoning low-Earth-orbit and Moon commercial space markets.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 14, 2021
Geosat Broadband Startup Astranis Lands $250 Million, Awaits Launch
Astranis, a startup aiming to provide lower-cost broadband service from geostationary orbit, has announced $250 million in new financing.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 14, 2021
Orbital Sidekick Completes $16M Series A Round
Orbital Sidekick, a San Francisco-based startup aiming to offer satellite-based hyperspectral imaging and data analytics for the energy sector and others, has wrapped up a $16 million series A investment round, as expected.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 13, 2021
Northrop’s MEV Docks With Active Intelsat Satellite To Extend Its Life
The second Mission Extension Vehicle, MEV-2, autonomously docked with the Intelsat 10-02 satellite on April 12 in its operational GEO location at 1 deg. West longitude.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 09, 2021
Former NASA Astronaut Jack Fischer Fires Up TexSpace
Former NASA astronaut and U S. Air Force test pilot Jack Fischer has joined with the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) to provide the emerging Houston Spaceport with TexSpace, a future nonprofit focused on facilitating innovation within the space enterprise.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 09, 2021
Industrial IoT Forerunner OrbComm To Be Taken Private For $1.1B
OrbComm, the low Earth orbit constellation provider of industrial connectivity services whose roots date to 1990s commercial space efforts, will be acquired by GI Partners, a U.S.-based investor in data infrastructure businesses, in an all-cash deal worth around $1.1 billion, including net debt.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report