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

Mar 26, 2021
ABL Space Systems Lands $170M To Become 'Unicorn' Rocket Company
Los Angeles-area rocket startup ABL Space Systems has closed a Series B investment round of $170 million, with the infusion going toward developing the 1,000-kg class RS1 launch vehicle and GS0 deployable launch system that should see its first launch this year.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 25, 2021
ESA Funds Another Two Microlauncher Projects
The European Space Agency has allotted a combined €10.45 million ($12.5 million) to two UK companies developing microlaunchers for small satellites: Orbex and Skyrora.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 25, 2021
OneWeb Kicks Off 2021 Launch Campaign From Vostochny
OneWeb added another 36 satellites to its orbital broadband constellation on March 25, bringing the network to 146 spacecraft.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 25, 2021
Space Acquirer Redwire To Go Public In SPAC Merger
Another month, another big announcement from private equity-founded Redwire: this time that the new-space roll up will become a publicly traded company in a reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company known to be hunting for aerospace and defense assets.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 24, 2021
SpaceX Adds 60 Satellites To Starlink Network
With a 23rd successful mission dedicated to deploying its Starlink communications network, SpaceX is closing in on its initial goal of about 1,450 operational satellites to kick off commercial broadband services in the U.S. and other regions.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 26, 2021
ABL Space Systems Lands $170M To Become 'Unicorn' Rocket Company
Los Angeles-area rocket startup ABL Space Systems has closed a Series B investment round of $170 million, with the infusion going toward developing the 1,000-kg class RS1 launch vehicle and GS0 deployable launch system that should see its first launch this year.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 25, 2021
ESA Funds Another Two Microlauncher Projects
The European Space Agency has allotted a combined €10.45 million ($12.5 million) to two UK companies developing microlaunchers for small satellites: Orbex and Skyrora.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 25, 2021
OneWeb Kicks Off 2021 Launch Campaign From Vostochny
OneWeb added another 36 satellites to its orbital broadband constellation on March 25, bringing the network to 146 spacecraft.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 25, 2021
Space Acquirer Redwire To Go Public In SPAC Merger
Another month, another big announcement from private equity-founded Redwire: this time that the new-space roll up will become a publicly traded company in a reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company known to be hunting for aerospace and defense assets.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 24, 2021
SpaceX Adds 60 Satellites To Starlink Network
With a 23rd successful mission dedicated to deploying its Starlink communications network, SpaceX is closing in on its initial goal of about 1,450 operational satellites to kick off commercial broadband services in the U.S. and other regions.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 23, 2021
Lockheed, Omnispace Team To Explore Space-Based 5G Business
Lockheed Martin and Omnispace, a startup targeting satellite-enabled 5G communications, on March 23 announced a “strategic interest agreement” to explore 5G business opportunities from space, and possibly creating the first dual-use commercial- and government-serving platform.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 23, 2021
Rocket Lab Launches Seven Satellites On Rideshare Electron
A Rocket Lab Electron booster has carried seven satellites on a rideshare mission into space from New Zealand. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 19, 2021
Astroscale To Launch First Debris Removal Demo
The first fully commercial space launch of the Russian Soyuz 2.1a vehicle in 2021, planned for March 20, is expected to orbit 38 various satellites from 18 countries into three different Sun-synchronous orbits.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report