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 12, 2021
SpaceX Dragon Departs Space Station For Gulf Splashdown
After a one-day weather delay, SpaceX’s upgraded Dragon resupply capsule departed the International Space Station early Jan. 12 for a first-ever commercial atmospheric re-entry and parachute descent off the Florida coast with a 4,400-lb. scientific and equipment return payload.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 11, 2021
SpaceX Waves Off Atlantic Space Station Cargo Return
Adverse weather Jan. 11 prompted SpaceX to delay the first-ever attempt by a NASA-contracted commercial International Space Station resupply mission to return to Earth for an Atlantic Ocean splashdown off Florida’s east coast with a 5,200-lb. cargo that includes science experiments.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 08, 2021
FAA, NASA To Approach Commercial Spaceflight Standards Together
FAA and NASA have pledged to coordinate their standards and to work together on commercial space launch and re-entry, point-to-point suborbital transportation, spaceports, airspace design and a host of other issues now that the era of commercially licensed human spaceflight has begun.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 08, 2021
Virgin Orbit Readies For Second L1 Launch Attempt
Virgin Orbit will make a second attempt to reach orbit with the LauncherOne small satellite rocket on Jan. 13, with backup launch windows available later in the month in the event of a delay.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 08, 2021
SpaceX Opens ’21 With Launch of Turksat Satellite
Following its record-setting 26 launches in 2020, SpaceX kicked off the new year with delivery of the Turksat 5A broadband satellite into orbit on Jan. 7.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 12, 2021
SpaceX Dragon Departs Space Station For Gulf Splashdown
After a one-day weather delay, SpaceX’s upgraded Dragon resupply capsule departed the International Space Station early Jan. 12 for a first-ever commercial atmospheric re-entry and parachute descent off the Florida coast with a 4,400-lb. scientific and equipment return payload.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 11, 2021
SpaceX Waves Off Atlantic Space Station Cargo Return
Adverse weather Jan. 11 prompted SpaceX to delay the first-ever attempt by a NASA-contracted commercial International Space Station resupply mission to return to Earth for an Atlantic Ocean splashdown off Florida’s east coast with a 5,200-lb. cargo that includes science experiments.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 08, 2021
FAA, NASA To Approach Commercial Spaceflight Standards Together
FAA and NASA have pledged to coordinate their standards and to work together on commercial space launch and re-entry, point-to-point suborbital transportation, spaceports, airspace design and a host of other issues now that the era of commercially licensed human spaceflight has begun.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 08, 2021
Virgin Orbit Readies For Second L1 Launch Attempt
Virgin Orbit will make a second attempt to reach orbit with the LauncherOne small satellite rocket on Jan. 13, with backup launch windows available later in the month in the event of a delay.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 08, 2021
SpaceX Opens ’21 With Launch of Turksat Satellite
Following its record-setting 26 launches in 2020, SpaceX kicked off the new year with delivery of the Turksat 5A broadband satellite into orbit on Jan. 7.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 07, 2021
Arianespace Opens Door To Microlaunchers
Arianespace is willing to operate microlaunchers if the opportunity arises, either as a way to meet demand or as proof of concepts for heavier launchers, CEO Stephane Israel said.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 07, 2021
SDA Reaffirms Satellite Awards After Raytheon Protests
The decision announced on Jan. 7 allows the contractors to move forward with developing the satellites in Tranche 0 of the future Tracking Layer.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jan 07, 2021
Virgin Galactic Gets To Root Of SpaceShipTwo Flight Test Abort
Virgin Galactic has completed post-flight inspections and root cause analysis of last month’s thwarted suborbital flight test of SpaceShipTwo, the company said on Jan. 7.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report