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

Jan 29, 2021
First Ariane 6 Upper Stage Ready For Hot-fire Testing
ArianeGroup is gearing up for the hot-fire testing campaign of the first complete Ariane 6 upper stage, after it left the assembly and functional evaluation facility in Bremen, Germany.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 26, 2021
Axiom Unveils Crew For First Private U.S. Mission To ISS
Joining former NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria and Israeli entrepreneur Eytan Stibbe on the first privately financed U.S. mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will be real estate and technology investor Larry Connor of Ohio and Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist Mark Pathy, Axiom Space said on Jan. 26.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 25, 2021
Inmarsat Joins UK Future Flight Challenge Initiative
Satellite operator Inmarsat announced on Jan. 25 that it will provide satellite communications for a UK government initiative to create a zero-carbon emissions regional air transportation network.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 25, 2021
Netherlands Selects Virgin Orbit For First Testbed Military Satellite
As Virgin Orbit gears up for the start of operational missions following its successful Jan. 17 demonstration flight, the California-based space company has revealed it has been selected to launch the first military satellite for the Netherlands.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 25, 2021
STP-3 Launch Slips, Allowing Boeing Starliner Reflight To Advance
NASA and Boeing are now targeting March 25 for the launch of an uncrewed CST-100 Starliner on the Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) to the International Space Station—four days earlier than previously planned.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 29, 2021
First Ariane 6 Upper Stage Ready For Hot-fire Testing
ArianeGroup is gearing up for the hot-fire testing campaign of the first complete Ariane 6 upper stage, after it left the assembly and functional evaluation facility in Bremen, Germany.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 26, 2021
Axiom Unveils Crew For First Private U.S. Mission To ISS
Joining former NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria and Israeli entrepreneur Eytan Stibbe on the first privately financed U.S. mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will be real estate and technology investor Larry Connor of Ohio and Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist Mark Pathy, Axiom Space said on Jan. 26.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 25, 2021
Inmarsat Joins UK Future Flight Challenge Initiative
Satellite operator Inmarsat announced on Jan. 25 that it will provide satellite communications for a UK government initiative to create a zero-carbon emissions regional air transportation network.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 25, 2021
Netherlands Selects Virgin Orbit For First Testbed Military Satellite
As Virgin Orbit gears up for the start of operational missions following its successful Jan. 17 demonstration flight, the California-based space company has revealed it has been selected to launch the first military satellite for the Netherlands.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 25, 2021
STP-3 Launch Slips, Allowing Boeing Starliner Reflight To Advance
NASA and Boeing are now targeting March 25 for the launch of an uncrewed CST-100 Starliner on the Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) to the International Space Station—four days earlier than previously planned.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 21, 2021
EU To Order Second-Generation Galileo Sats From Airbus, TAS
The European Commission is to order the first 12 satellites for the second generation of the Galileo navigation constellation from Airbus and Thales Alenia Space.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 21, 2021
Space Rollup Redwire Buys Oakman Aero For Digital Design
Private equity-backed space rollup Redwire has acquired spacecraft design and engineering specialist Oakman Aerospace of Littleton, Colorado.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 20, 2021
SpaceX Resumes Starlink Deployment
SpaceX kicked off what is expected to be a pivotal year for its fledging internet-via-satellite service with the delivery of 60 more spacecraft into orbit on Jan. 20, as public beta trials expand to the UK.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report