Accelerator: Space Commercialization

Various initiatives to commercialize different aspects of space, including reusable and efficient launch vehicles, low-cost miniaturized satellites (CubeSats), space tourism, asteroid mining, and others

Space Commercialization

Accelerator > Earth and Beyond

Space commercialization driving down launch costs, fueling spacetech innovation, and enabling new business opportunities

Definition
  • Commercialization of space, including reusable and efficient launch vehicles, low-cost miniaturized satellites (CubeSats), space tourism, asteroid mining, and interplanetary travel

Outlook
  • Increased private sector competition from new entrants and established players
  • Intensified collaboration efforts between governments and corporations on space technology initiatives
  • Lower launch and operating costs
  • Accelerated space technology innovation

Implications
  • Opening space to new and expanded applications, including satellite broadband Internet, real-time Earth imagery and sensing, micro-gravity manufacturing, asteroid mining, and space tourism
  • Driving advances in interplanetary exploration, starting with Mars
  • Encouraging more governments (e.g., China, India) to fund space-related initiatives

How might space commercialization enable improvements to existing offerings, new market opportunities, or unexpected competition to your business?

Briefings

Russia sent FEDOR, country’s first humanoid robot, to the International Space Station to assist and learn from astronauts for 10 days

August 23, 2019

Singtel subsidiary Optus Business signed agreement with nanosatellite company Myriota to expand IoT connectivity to remote areas in Australia

August 22, 2019

NASA 3D prints insulation foam to protect Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from extreme temperatures and conditions

April 17, 2019

U.K.-based space startup Orbex revealed Prime rocket that has world’s largest 3D printed rocket engine at opening of new headquarters in Forres, Scotland

February 20, 2019

Private rocket firm Relativity Space became fourth company to secure spot at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, U.S. to launch its 3D printed rocket with five-year contract from U.S. Air Force

February 8, 2019

Satellite firm Swarm Technologies raised $25 million in Series A funding round to deploy more satellites for its low-cost Internet-of-Things network

January 31, 2019

Private space startup Rocket Lab successfully launched 13 CubeSats into orbit for NASA on December 16, 2018 in dedicated commercial vehicle

January 10, 2019

NASA will test solar cells made by Alta Devices at International Space Station, which can be used to power satellites for low Earth orbit missions, such as CubeSats

January 7, 2019

Virgin Galactic accomplished first U.S. commercial human test flight reaching past Earth’s atmosphere on December 13, 2018, paving way for space tours in future

January 4, 2019

Private space firm SpaceX recently sent 64 satellites into orbit, setting record for most satellites launched in history

December 21, 2018
Go to page