The Rise of Private Space Companies
The aerospace industry is evolving, and a new breed of private space companies is helping shape its direction. They are designing and manufacturing satellites, launching them into low Earth orbit (LEO), and offering services while in orbit.
Private space firms are striving to democratize space, making it more accessible for everyone. Whether they aim to offer access to space tourism or research contracts, private companies are pushing the limits of what governments can accomplish in this arena.
SpaceX
SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk in 2002, revolutionized space exploration and development. As a private aerospace company, it builds and launches rockets to send satellites, cargo and astronauts into outer space.
One of SpaceX’s greatest successes is its dedication to full and rapid reusability. Both rockets – Falcon 9 and Heavy – typically return to Earth for refurbishment, saving money that helps SpaceX undercut competitors’ prices.
SpaceX also plans to construct and launch Dragon, a space capsule designed to transport crew and cargo to the International Space Station. The company hopes to sell flights aboard its Dragon craft to anyone willing to pay for them.
Blue Origin
Jeff Bezos founded Blue Origin, one of the world’s most prominent private space companies. It designs, fabricates and assembles reusable launch vehicles such as New Shepard and New Glenn with his team behind them.
In addition, the company has launched satellites for Eutelsat and low-Earth orbit startup OneWeb.
A major element of the company’s business model relies on securing government contracts, leading to numerous lawsuits and protests.
Blue Origin has achieved great success, yet it also faces numerous technical difficulties. Notably, its BE-4 rocket engine has proven a major obstacle.
Following its loss of NASA’s lunar contract bid to SpaceX, several senior engineers have left the company. These departures have further compounded the ongoing delays to multiple projects.
Virgin Galactic
Private space companies are an essential element in the ongoing transformation of traditional space exploration and development. Thanks to rapidly advancing technologies, declining costs, and open innovation models, there has been an explosive growth in this industry.
The market is primed for further expansion, particularly in space tourism and human-made spaceflight research and development. Virgin is well positioned to capitalize on these trends and bring human spaceflight to a global population with aspirations of traveling into space.
The company plans to begin revenue-generating payload flights aboard its first Delta class spaceships as early as 2025, followed by the launch of private astronauts aboard in 2026. It anticipates generating approximately half of its revenue from these spaceship operations, enabling the business to turn a profit.
Boeing
As a leader in the aerospace industry, Boeing designs and manufactures commercial airplanes, defense products, as well as space systems. Through its global supplier base and diverse workforce, the company promotes economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact.
Boeing serves as prime contractor for the International Space Station (ISS), overseeing its space flight operations with a global team led by Boeing and hundreds of smaller suppliers.
Defense, Space & Security (BDS) of the company boasts contracts worth billions of dollars. Its portfolio includes KC-46 aerial refueling aircraft, the 767 commercial airplane and an expanding services business.
Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation is a privately held aerospace and defense company led by Chairwoman Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen. SNC has earned itself an excellent reputation for innovation, cost efficiency and customer satisfaction – all leading to increased shareholder value.
The company specializes in developing spacecraft, rocket motors and subsystems/components for commercial and government customers. Additionally, they have created a concept for an LEO (low Earth orbit) space station.
Sierra Nevada is currently developing the Dream Chaser spacecraft, which can be landed on any commercial runway around the globe. It has received a re-entry site license from the FAA which could enable commercial flights of this vehicle in the near future.
