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 23, 2020
National Space Council Releases Space Exploration Plan
The Trump administration’s National Space Council on July 23 released a 17-page report outlining its approach to deep-space exploration and development. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 23, 2020
UK Lawmakers Question Wisdom Of OneWeb Stake
British lawmakers have expressed concern that the government’s decision to invest in the failed OneWeb satellite constellation ignored input from advisers.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 22, 2020
Astronomers Image First Sun-Like Star With Multiple Planets
An international team of astronomers has directly imaged a very young, Sun-like star with multiple large planets—a first that may help astronomers better understand how our Solar System’s planets formed and evolved.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 22, 2020
LeoLabs To Extend Space Debris Tracking With Costa Rican Radar Site
Space situational awareness provider LeoLabs is to locate its fourth space radar in Costa Rica.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 15, 2020
Disney Executive Takes Helm At Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic’s founding CEO George Whitesides is relinquishing daily management of the fledgling space tourism company to focus on future programs, including point-to-point hypersonic and orbital space transportation, the company said on July 15. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 23, 2020
National Space Council Releases Space Exploration Plan
The Trump administration’s National Space Council on July 23 released a 17-page report outlining its approach to deep-space exploration and development. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 23, 2020
UK Lawmakers Question Wisdom Of OneWeb Stake
British lawmakers have expressed concern that the government’s decision to invest in the failed OneWeb satellite constellation ignored input from advisers.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 22, 2020
Astronomers Image First Sun-Like Star With Multiple Planets
An international team of astronomers has directly imaged a very young, Sun-like star with multiple large planets—a first that may help astronomers better understand how our Solar System’s planets formed and evolved.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 22, 2020
LeoLabs To Extend Space Debris Tracking With Costa Rican Radar Site
Space situational awareness provider LeoLabs is to locate its fourth space radar in Costa Rica.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 15, 2020
Disney Executive Takes Helm At Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic’s founding CEO George Whitesides is relinquishing daily management of the fledgling space tourism company to focus on future programs, including point-to-point hypersonic and orbital space transportation, the company said on July 15. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 15, 2020
Boeing On Track For SLS Hot Fire In October
The first Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is about halfway through an eight-part Green Run test program at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, with a full-duration static firing of the booster’s four Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-25 engines expected in October, Boeing Vice President and SLS Program Manager John Shannon said on July 15. 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 15, 2020
Northrop’s Minotaur IV Lifts Off On Classified NRO Mission
Northrop Grumman’s Minotaur IV rocket ended a nearly three-year hiatus with a July 15 launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, to put a quartet of classified satellites into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). 
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Jul 15, 2020
Passur Platform Integrates Space-Based ADS-B Data
Passur Aerospace will integrate satellite-based aircraft tracking data from Aireon into its airline and airport operations management platform, the companies announced on July 14.
Aviation Daily