Private investors in the #US , #EU , and #Oceania have pumped tens of billions into launch vehicle companies—as examples, more than $10B for #BlueOrigin, $1.2B into #RocketLab, $2.4B for #RelativitySpace, $700 million into #Firefly, $500M into #StokeSpace, and $483M into #IsarAerospace. (As an aside, the cost of developing the expendable #Falcon9 was $400M ) https://payloadspace.com/why-is-spacex-the-master-of-launch

Investments in #space startups rose 12% to $8.1 billion in the 12 months to March, with the number of deals in #Europe rising nearly 50% in the first quarter. "More protectionist trade policies could slow development in the short term, as many advanced space technologies depend on global supply chains" https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/space-startups-face-uncertainty-us-cuts-federal-spending-report-says-2025-04-11

Starting in 2025, at least two #European launch startups (#IsarAerospace and #RocketFactory Augsburg) expect to offer more choices for both institutional and commercial customers. The field will continue to widen toward the close of the decade, with #MaiaSpace, #Latitude, #HyImpulse, #HyPrSpace, #Orbex, #PLDSpace, and #Skyrora all working toward an inaugural flight of their respective vehicles. https://europeanspaceflight.com/arianegroup-already-working-to-secure-iris2-launch-contract

#SpaceX valued at $350bn - $185 a share, up from $112 a few months ago. #Musk owns a 42% stake https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/dec/11/spacex-valued-at-350bn-as-company-agrees-to-buy-shares-from-employees

The cost of a #NewGlenn (45 tons) launch will be about $67 million . Elon Musk says that a #Starship (150 tons) launch would cost only $10 million . #RocketLab is targeting the price of a #Neutron (13 tons) launch to be $50 million. #GwynneShotwell noted that 400 Starships will launch in the next four years https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/5004815-blue-origin-new-glenn-launch

Top 100 Space startups in #USA https://www.space-startups.org/country/USA

https://www.space-startups.org

#SpaceStation & #SpaceHabitat companies https://www.factoriesinspace.com/space-stations

Funding for space startups rose to $6.5 billion in the first quarter ended March 31, from $2.9 billion a year earlier https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/space-startups-see-funding-surge-government-spending-remains-high-report-says-2024-04-11/

As competition intensifies, with the potential for #SpaceX to lower prices in response, Vulcan could face challenges in remaining cost-competitive. #Vulcan is reported to cost around $120 million per launch. #Falcon9 is estimated at $67 million, while #FalconHeavy commands around $100 million https://everydayastronaut.com/how-does-ulas-vulcan-compare-to-the-competition/

Nov. 2023 #SpaceX is on track to book revenue of about $9 billion this year across its rocket launch and #Starlink businesses, with sales projected to rise to about $15 billion in 2024. #Starlink could eventually reach revenue of $30 billion a year https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-11-07/spacex-eyes-15-billion-in-2024-sales-on-starlink-strength

#ULA Business Risks

• Reusability: #Vulcan is not reusable - although designs are underway to eject its #BE4 engines post-launch and recover them via an inflatable heat shield and parachute.
• Competition: Vulcan competes with #SpaceX’s #Falcon9
• ULA’s profitability has seen a decline from a peak of ~$650M in 2016 to ~$80M in 2023 primarily due to the Vulcan transition and share loss to SpaceX

https://payloadspace.com/blue-origins-ula-investment-case-payload-research/

#ULA 2022 "had enjoyed a #monopoly for years and had gotten complacent" https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/06/22/ula-boeing-lockheed-martin-tory-bruno/

2024 #ULA depends on #BlueOrigin's #BE4 rocket engine and is about to be sold https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/01/with-vulcans-liftoff-imminent-united-launch-alliance-flies-into-uncertain-future/

#Guardian 8 Dec 2023 The #Peregrine mission is the first in a fleet of private #spacecraft bound for the #moon in the next few years. Future landers aim to drill for ice and other materials, potentially iron and rare earths, which are of interest to mining firms. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/dec/08/nasa-hands-over-control-as-new-era-of-moon-missions-readies-for-lift-off

The record for #HumanSpaceflight from #Florida came in 1985 when the #SpaceShuttles launched nine times flying up 58 people.

Of the potential 26 in 2024, only 14 will be from #NASA and its traditional #space partners from #Japan, #Canada, the #ESA and #Russia. The other 12 will be flying through #commercial endeavors https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/11/20/in-2024-space-coast-gears-up-for-busiest-astronaut-launch-year-since-2009/