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

Dec 10, 2020
U.S. Creating Intelligence Community Commercial Space Center
The U.S. director of national intelligence announced that the nation is creating an Intelligence Community Commercial Space Council, during a Dec. 9 meeting of the National Space Council.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 10, 2020
SpaceX Starship Crashes After High-Altitude Flight Test
A SpaceX Starship prototype, powered for the first time by a trio of liquid oxygen- and methane-burning Merlin engines, crashed during a landing…
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 09, 2020
Orbex Secures $24M Investment For Scottish Smallsat Launch
UK venture capital outfit Octopus Ventures and investment firm BGF joined existing Orbex investors High-Tech Gründerfonds, Heartcore Capital and Elecnor S.A. in a new funding round for the launch company. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 07, 2020
SpaceX Starlink Wins $886M In FCC Rural Internet Program
The Federal Communications Commission on Dec. 7 selected 180 companies to participate in the first phase of an ambitious project to bring high-speed internet to rural communities in the U.S.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 03, 2020
NASA Buying Lunar Regolith Sample For $1
NASA has awarded four companies contracts to collect samples of lunar regolith, then transfer ownership to the agency, not for return to Earth necessarily but to expand the legal and regulatory framework for commercial space activities on the Moon and beyond.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 10, 2020
U.S. Creating Intelligence Community Commercial Space Center
The U.S. director of national intelligence announced that the nation is creating an Intelligence Community Commercial Space Council, during a Dec. 9 meeting of the National Space Council.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 10, 2020
SpaceX Starship Crashes After High-Altitude Flight Test
A SpaceX Starship prototype, powered for the first time by a trio of liquid oxygen- and methane-burning Merlin engines, crashed during a landing…
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 09, 2020
Orbex Secures $24M Investment For Scottish Smallsat Launch
UK venture capital outfit Octopus Ventures and investment firm BGF joined existing Orbex investors High-Tech Gründerfonds, Heartcore Capital and Elecnor S.A. in a new funding round for the launch company. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 07, 2020
SpaceX Starlink Wins $886M In FCC Rural Internet Program
The Federal Communications Commission on Dec. 7 selected 180 companies to participate in the first phase of an ambitious project to bring high-speed internet to rural communities in the U.S.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 03, 2020
NASA Buying Lunar Regolith Sample For $1
NASA has awarded four companies contracts to collect samples of lunar regolith, then transfer ownership to the agency, not for return to Earth necessarily but to expand the legal and regulatory framework for commercial space activities on the Moon and beyond.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 03, 2020
Aevum Unveils UAS For Autonomous Small Sat Launch Service
Aspiring small satellite launch service and logistics provider Aevum has unveiled an 80-ft.-long, 60-ft. wingspan unmanned aircraft system to serve as the reusable first stage of a three-stage, autonomous launch system that aims to cut costs and dramatically reduce the time needed to plan and execute missions.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 03, 2020
European Bank Marks Foray Into New-Space Investing With Spire
The European Investment Bank, the long-term lending institution of the European Union, announced Dec. 3 that it could invest up to €20 million ($24.3 million) in Spire Global, a Luxembourg-registered nanosatellite operator for cloud-enabled data analytics, marking the European institution’s first direct new-space venture.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Dec 03, 2020
Axiom Space Grows Commercial Space Station Architecture
Axiom Space, selected by NASA to berth the first element of an eventual commercial low Earth orbit-crewed free flyer at the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024, has significantly upgraded the architecture of its planned Axiom Station, providing an initial four-person crew capability.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report