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

Feb 14, 2020
Iceye Hires Terra Bella Vet To Lead U.S. Manufacturing Expansion
Satellite-based synthetic-aperture radar services provider Iceye has hired the former Google executive who led development of the Terra Bella Earth imaging constellation as its new U.S. CEO, and the move signals plans to make satellites in the U.S.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 13, 2020
New $200M Investment Vehicle Targets LEO Constellation Boom
A group of software and aerospace veterans are aiming to raise and spend $200 million to offer cloud computing and data analytics to the coming explosion of low-Earth-orbit satellite-based systems.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 12, 2020
Ousted NASA Human Spaceflight Chief Becomes SpaceX Consultant
Gerstenmaier, 65, left NASA last year after being reassigned by Administrator Jim Bridenstine in July to serve as a special advisor to Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 10, 2020
Ground Support Issue Halts ISS Cargo Launch
The rescheduled launch of Northrop Grumman’s 13th Cygnus re-supply mission to the International Space Station now is planned for no earlier than Feb. 13 at 4:06 p.m. EST.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 07, 2020
NASA Selects KBR For Commercial Astronaut Training
KBR, Inc. will train commercial astronauts selected for missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and perhaps other destinations under a nonexclusive NASA Reimbursable Space Act Agreement.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 14, 2020
Iceye Hires Terra Bella Vet To Lead U.S. Manufacturing Expansion
Satellite-based synthetic-aperture radar services provider Iceye has hired the former Google executive who led development of the Terra Bella Earth imaging constellation as its new U.S. CEO, and the move signals plans to make satellites in the U.S.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 13, 2020
New $200M Investment Vehicle Targets LEO Constellation Boom
A group of software and aerospace veterans are aiming to raise and spend $200 million to offer cloud computing and data analytics to the coming explosion of low-Earth-orbit satellite-based systems.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 12, 2020
Ousted NASA Human Spaceflight Chief Becomes SpaceX Consultant
Gerstenmaier, 65, left NASA last year after being reassigned by Administrator Jim Bridenstine in July to serve as a special advisor to Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 10, 2020
Ground Support Issue Halts ISS Cargo Launch
The rescheduled launch of Northrop Grumman’s 13th Cygnus re-supply mission to the International Space Station now is planned for no earlier than Feb. 13 at 4:06 p.m. EST.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 07, 2020
NASA Selects KBR For Commercial Astronaut Training
KBR, Inc. will train commercial astronauts selected for missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and perhaps other destinations under a nonexclusive NASA Reimbursable Space Act Agreement.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 06, 2020
OneWeb Adds 34 Satellites To Broadband Constellation
A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying a batch of 34 satellites for aspiring broadband operator OneWeb lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Feb. 6, setting the stage for monthly flights to build an initial constellation of 648 spacecraft.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 04, 2020
Maxar Starts 2020 Strong
After a tough year in 2019, Maxar Technologies has secured a trio of contract awards.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 04, 2020
Astra Space Is Sole DARPA Launch Challenge Participant
U.S. startup Astra Space has emerged from stealth mode and identified itself as the sole remaining competitor in DARPA’s Launch Challenge to increase the flexibility and pace of flights into low Earth orbit.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report