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 09, 2020
Final SpaceX Dragon 1 Cargo Mission Reaches ISS
SpaceX’s final Dragon 1 capsule reached the International Space Station (ISS) early March 9 to deliver a 4,300-lb. cargo.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 06, 2020
NASA: Starliner Flight Test ‘High-Visibility Close Call’
A independent team that analyzed software errors during the debut flight test of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner recommended 61 actions that Boeing and NASA should take before the capsule flies again.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 05, 2020
Axiom Hires SpaceX For Private ISS Mission
Ahead of flying its privately owned habitat to the International Space Station, Houston startup Axiom Space has signed a contract with SpaceX to ferry three fare-paying tourists and a professional commander to the station as early as June 2021. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 05, 2020
Launcher Arrives For Rocket Lab’s U.S. Debut Flight
As Rocket Lab prepares for its 12th launch from New Zealand, one of its Electron rockets arrived at the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, where…
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 04, 2020
DARPA Picks SpaceLogistics For Robotic Servicing In GEO
Northrop Grumman subsidiary SpaceLogistics has signed on as DARPA’s commercial partner for the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites program.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 09, 2020
Final SpaceX Dragon 1 Cargo Mission Reaches ISS
SpaceX’s final Dragon 1 capsule reached the International Space Station (ISS) early March 9 to deliver a 4,300-lb. cargo.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 06, 2020
NASA: Starliner Flight Test ‘High-Visibility Close Call’
A independent team that analyzed software errors during the debut flight test of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner recommended 61 actions that Boeing and NASA should take before the capsule flies again.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 05, 2020
Axiom Hires SpaceX For Private ISS Mission
Ahead of flying its privately owned habitat to the International Space Station, Houston startup Axiom Space has signed a contract with SpaceX to ferry three fare-paying tourists and a professional commander to the station as early as June 2021. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 05, 2020
Launcher Arrives For Rocket Lab’s U.S. Debut Flight
As Rocket Lab prepares for its 12th launch from New Zealand, one of its Electron rockets arrived at the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, where…
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Mar 04, 2020
DARPA Picks SpaceLogistics For Robotic Servicing In GEO
Northrop Grumman subsidiary SpaceLogistics has signed on as DARPA’s commercial partner for the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites program.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 27, 2020
Northrop Fires Up Omega Rocket’s Solid Fuel Second Stage
Northrop Grumman conducted a 139-sec. static test fire of its Omega rocket’s solid-fuel second stage on Feb. 27, the last of two full-scale engine firings prior to the rocket’s debut launch next year. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 27, 2020
Virgin Galactic Prioritizes Flying Branson This Year Over Starting Ops
Virgin Galactic remains committed to becoming the first commercial human spaceflight provider this year, but it could entail just lofting co-founder and celebrity entrepreneur Richard Branson rather than starting regular operations as previously forecast. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Feb 19, 2020
Private Equity Funding Boosts Shetlands Satellite Launch Site
Plans for a satellite launch center on Britain’s Shetland Islands have been boosted by £2 million ($2.6 million) in funding from a private equity firm.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report