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

Jul 31, 2020
Faulty Electrical Connection Doomed Rocket Lab Flight
Rocket Lab has determined the cause of the July 4 failure of an Electron rocket—a faulty electrical connection which triggered a premature shutdown of the booster’s second stage, the company said on July 31. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 31, 2020
Demo-2 Splashdown Prep Continues As Isaias Upgraded To Hurricane
Two NASA Demo-2 astronauts continued preparing on July 31 for a weekend return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) and a splashdown off the Florida coast as Tropical Storm Isaias was upgraded to a category 1 hurricane.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 30, 2020
Commercial Spaceport Plan For Vandenberg AFB
The U.S. Space Force’s 30th Space Wing, the state of California and other involved parties have entered into an agreement to develop a commercial spaceport facility at Vandenberg AFB, California, the federal government’s Western launch range.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 30, 2020
Dawn Unveils Reusable Suborbital Spaceplane Demonstrator
New Zealand-based startup Dawn Aerospace has rolled out its Mk-II Aurora reusable suborbital spaceplane.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 29, 2020
Space Industry Seen As Vulnerable To Takeover By Russia, China
A new report on the space industrial base discusses the catastrophic impact the spread of the novel coronavirus has had on space companies and how the global pandemic provides a dangerous opportunity for China and Russia to challenge or surpass the U.S. in space.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 31, 2020
Faulty Electrical Connection Doomed Rocket Lab Flight
Rocket Lab has determined the cause of the July 4 failure of an Electron rocket—a faulty electrical connection which triggered a premature shutdown of the booster’s second stage, the company said on July 31. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 31, 2020
Demo-2 Splashdown Prep Continues As Isaias Upgraded To Hurricane
Two NASA Demo-2 astronauts continued preparing on July 31 for a weekend return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) and a splashdown off the Florida coast as Tropical Storm Isaias was upgraded to a category 1 hurricane.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 30, 2020
Commercial Spaceport Plan For Vandenberg AFB
The U.S. Space Force’s 30th Space Wing, the state of California and other involved parties have entered into an agreement to develop a commercial spaceport facility at Vandenberg AFB, California, the federal government’s Western launch range.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 30, 2020
Dawn Unveils Reusable Suborbital Spaceplane Demonstrator
New Zealand-based startup Dawn Aerospace has rolled out its Mk-II Aurora reusable suborbital spaceplane.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 29, 2020
Space Industry Seen As Vulnerable To Takeover By Russia, China
A new report on the space industrial base discusses the catastrophic impact the spread of the novel coronavirus has had on space companies and how the global pandemic provides a dangerous opportunity for China and Russia to challenge or surpass the U.S. in space.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 28, 2020
Virgin Orbit Tracks Launch Failure To Broken LOX Line
The failure of a high-pressure liquid-oxygen feed line triggered a premature engine shutdown during the debut flight of Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket, the company said on July 27. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 28, 2020
Virgin Galactic Unveils SpaceShipTwo Cabin
The sleek, mimimalistic design is intended to blend safety for six passengers with maximizing the novel view of Earth from the edge of space.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 24, 2020
Tethers Unlimited Tape To Deorbit Sherpa-FX Transfer Vehicle
Spaceflight’s new Sherpa-FX orbit transfer vehicle is to be deorbited after its first mission in low Earth orbit by deploying Tethers Unlimited’s drag-increasing Terminator Tape.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report