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 18, 2021
SLS Core Stage Completes Static Test Fire
NASA’s Space Launch System core stage fired up its four Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-25 engines on March 18 for a critical, 8-min. integrated test ahead of the booster’s debut launch on the uncrewed Artemis I lunar mission.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 18, 2021
Starlink Network Prompts SpaceX, NASA Traffic Management Pact
With its Starlink broadband network now exceeding 1,200 satellites, SpaceX formalized an agreement with NASA to operate its megaconstellation on a noninterference basis with the International Space Station and other agency spacecraft in low Earth orbit.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 17, 2021
FAA OKs Northrop Pegasus Launches From Wallops, Cape Canaveral
The FAA has renewed two launch operator licenses for Northrop Grumman for its aircraft-launched Pegasus rocket system from Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, and Cape Canaveral, the agency said March 17.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 16, 2021
Falcon 9, Flight 9 Sets Reuse Record
SpaceX continues to expand the operational envelope of its Falcon 9 fleet, with a successful ninth launch and landing of a first-stage booster, setting the stage to meet its goal of 10 launches per rocket with minimal refurbishment between flights.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 12, 2021
Europe Studies In-Space Satellite Manufacturing Demo
Responding to U.S. advances in in-space manufacturing, Airbus has been selected to study an orbital factory and potential demonstrator mission to establish a European capability to manufacture and assemble satellites in orbit.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 18, 2021
SLS Core Stage Completes Static Test Fire
NASA’s Space Launch System core stage fired up its four Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-25 engines on March 18 for a critical, 8-min. integrated test ahead of the booster’s debut launch on the uncrewed Artemis I lunar mission.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 18, 2021
Starlink Network Prompts SpaceX, NASA Traffic Management Pact
With its Starlink broadband network now exceeding 1,200 satellites, SpaceX formalized an agreement with NASA to operate its megaconstellation on a noninterference basis with the International Space Station and other agency spacecraft in low Earth orbit.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 17, 2021
FAA OKs Northrop Pegasus Launches From Wallops, Cape Canaveral
The FAA has renewed two launch operator licenses for Northrop Grumman for its aircraft-launched Pegasus rocket system from Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, and Cape Canaveral, the agency said March 17.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 16, 2021
Falcon 9, Flight 9 Sets Reuse Record
SpaceX continues to expand the operational envelope of its Falcon 9 fleet, with a successful ninth launch and landing of a first-stage booster, setting the stage to meet its goal of 10 launches per rocket with minimal refurbishment between flights.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 12, 2021
Europe Studies In-Space Satellite Manufacturing Demo
Responding to U.S. advances in in-space manufacturing, Airbus has been selected to study an orbital factory and potential demonstrator mission to establish a European capability to manufacture and assemble satellites in orbit.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 10, 2021
NASA Strikes Novel Launch Agreement For ISS Astronauts
NASA has contracted with Axiom Space to acquire a seat aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-18 for a NASA astronaut to launch to the orbiting science lab on April 9.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 04, 2021
Starlink Gains Another 60 Satellites
Nine hours after a SpaceX team in Texas landed a full-scale Starship prototype for the first time, colleagues in Florida launched a Falcon 9 rocket with 60 more satellites for the company’s high-speed internet service system. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 04, 2021
Starship Flies, Soft Lands, Then Explodes
SpaceX’s March 3 high-altitude test of a full-scale Starship prototype managed a soft landing—unlike two previous test vehicles—but then exploded 3 min. after touching down at the company’s facility in Boca Chica Beach, Texas.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report