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

Oct 12, 2023
Proteus Space, a startup satellite developer, closed a $4.2 million seed round to create an automated, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered system to design ESPA-class satellites in 30 days.
Oct 11, 2023
Planet Labs has delivered its Pelican-1 Earth imaging satellite to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California ahead of a planned launch in November.
Oct 10, 2023
A pair of privately owned Iranian cubesats are slated to launch as secondary payloads aboard a Russian Soyuz-2 rocket in December.
Oct 10, 2023
Germany has launched a pilot project combining uncrewed aircraft and electric bikes to deliver groceries to residents.
Oct 09, 2023
The European Space Agency has launched a competition for “visionary business ideas” for how to use its proposed “Moonlight” project.
Oct 12, 2023
Proteus Space, a startup satellite developer, closed a $4.2 million seed round to create an automated, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered system to design ESPA-class satellites in 30 days.
Oct 11, 2023
Planet Labs has delivered its Pelican-1 Earth imaging satellite to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California ahead of a planned launch in November.
Oct 10, 2023
A pair of privately owned Iranian cubesats are slated to launch as secondary payloads aboard a Russian Soyuz-2 rocket in December.
Oct 10, 2023
Germany has launched a pilot project combining uncrewed aircraft and electric bikes to deliver groceries to residents.
Oct 09, 2023
The European Space Agency has launched a competition for “visionary business ideas” for how to use its proposed “Moonlight” project.
Oct 06, 2023
The 196-ft. Atlas V lifted off at 2:06 p.m. EDT on a dedicated ride for a pair of small satellites known as Kuipersat-1 and -2.
Oct 06, 2023
Japan’s space startups—and their U.S. subsidiaries—are playing a prominent role in several U.S. Space Force and NASA missions.
Oct 05, 2023
Following a short-lived debut flight on April 20, an upgraded Starship-Super Heavy vehicle is being prepared for launch.