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

May 04, 2022
Satellogic Outlines New Constellation, Financial Targets
Satellite-based remote sensing startup Satellogic expects to grow its low Earth orbit constellation to as many as 34 Earth observation satellites by the fourth quarter, executives say.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 04, 2022
Astroscale’s Servicing Spacecraft Completes Rendezvous Demo
Astroscale has completed rendezvous operations with its ELSA-d orbital debris removal demonstration despite losing half the servicing spacecraft’s maneuvering thrusters.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 04, 2022
Phantom Space Places 200-Plus Engine Order With Ursa Major
Start-up launch vehicle and satellite developer Phantom Space has emerged from stealth mode with a purchase agreement for more than 200 rocket engines from Colorado-based propulsion company Ursa Major.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 04, 2022
Axiom First Commercial Customer For Canadarm3
MDA has made the first commercial sale of its Canadarm3 robotic arm technology to Axiom Space.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 03, 2022
Rocket Lab Snares Returning Booster Mid-Air
After successfully launching a 34-satellite rideshare mission from New Zealand, a Rocket Lab helicopter crew snared the returning first-stage booster mid-air for the first time, then released the rocket into the ocean for retrieval by ship.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 04, 2022
Satellogic Outlines New Constellation, Financial Targets
Satellite-based remote sensing startup Satellogic expects to grow its low Earth orbit constellation to as many as 34 Earth observation satellites by the fourth quarter, executives say.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 04, 2022
Astroscale’s Servicing Spacecraft Completes Rendezvous Demo
Astroscale has completed rendezvous operations with its ELSA-d orbital debris removal demonstration despite losing half the servicing spacecraft’s maneuvering thrusters.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 04, 2022
Phantom Space Places 200-Plus Engine Order With Ursa Major
Start-up launch vehicle and satellite developer Phantom Space has emerged from stealth mode with a purchase agreement for more than 200 rocket engines from Colorado-based propulsion company Ursa Major.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 04, 2022
Axiom First Commercial Customer For Canadarm3
MDA has made the first commercial sale of its Canadarm3 robotic arm technology to Axiom Space.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 03, 2022
Rocket Lab Snares Returning Booster Mid-Air
After successfully launching a 34-satellite rideshare mission from New Zealand, a Rocket Lab helicopter crew snared the returning first-stage booster mid-air for the first time, then released the rocket into the ocean for retrieval by ship.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 29, 2022
NanoAvionics To Build Hyperspectral Nanosat For Prométhée
French satellite startup Prométhée has contracted with NanoAvionics to build a hyperspectral nanosatellite demonstrator. The ProtoMéthée-1 will be based on NanoAvionics’ 16U nanosatellite bus M16P and would be a forerunner to plans to launch a 20-satellite constellation by 2025, Prométhée said on April 29.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 26, 2022
Lockheed Part Of Venture Investment In 3D Printing Startup X-Bow
Several venture capital firms and the related office at Lockheed Martin have teamed to invest $27 million in X-Bow Systems, an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based additive manufacturing startup targeting production of solid rocket energetics.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Apr 26, 2022
SpaceX Cleared For Next ISS Crew Launch
Hours after a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule returned from a privately financed sortie to the International Space Station (ISS), NASA cleared the company to proceed with a launch attempt at 3:52 a.m. EDT on April 27 to deliver the next resident crew to the orbital outpost.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report