// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Space Commerce
The business activities and economic transactions related to space, including satellite services, space tourism, asteroid mining, and manufacturing in orbit.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Space Commerce encompasses all commercial activities and economic transactions within the space sector, including satellite manufacturing and operations, launch services, in-space resource utilization, space tourism, and the provision of space-derived data and services.
BACKGROUND
Sierra Space Corporation is a privately held aerospace and space technologies company headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, with additional facilities in Colorado, Wisconsin, Florida, North Carolina and a testing site at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. The company makes spaceflight hardware for various applications across the industry. It is currently developing the Dream Chaser spaceplane. The spaceplane was selected by NASA to provide services to the International Space Station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Service 2 contract. The company is also in collaboration with Blue Origin to develop components of the Orbital Reef space station.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Commercial space
- NewSpace
- Space economy
USAGE NOTE
Space commerce is rapidly expanding beyond traditional government-funded missions.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Space Commerce.
A private American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company. It designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. SpaceX's commercial activities include satellite launches, cargo missions to the ISS, and development of Starship for lunar and Mars missions, significantly impacting space commerce.
AWS offers cloud computing services, including specialized solutions for the space industry through AWS Aerospace and Satellite. They provide ground station as a service, data processing, and analytics capabilities crucial for commercial space operations and satellite data monetization.
A leading provider of comprehensive space solutions and secure, precise, geospatial intelligence. Maxar develops and manufactures satellites, provides earth observation data, and offers space infrastructure services for commercial and government customers, making it a key player in space commerce.
A global leader in space launch and space systems. Rocket Lab provides frequent and reliable access to orbit for small satellites through its Electron rocket and is developing the larger Neutron rocket. They also offer satellite manufacturing and on-orbit management services, supporting various commercial space ventures.
Axiom Space is building the world's first commercial space station. They offer private astronaut missions to the International Space Station and aim to provide a commercial platform for research, manufacturing, and tourism in low-Earth orbit, directly expanding space commerce opportunities.
A leading provider of daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions. Planet operates the largest constellation of Earth-observing satellites, offering frequently updated imagery and data analytics to commercial, government, and scientific users, driving commercial applications of space-derived data.
A global communications company that provides high-speed satellite broadband services and secure networking systems. Viasat leverages its advanced satellite technology for commercial applications such as in-flight connectivity, maritime broadband, and secure communications, demonstrating robust space commerce.
A subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corporation, Sierra Space is developing commercial space transportation and infrastructure. Their projects include the Dream Chaser spaceplane for cargo and crew services, and the expandable LIFE habitat for commercial space stations, focusing on in-space commerce and habitation.