The hottest Space Industry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Market Overview: Spacetech Deals We Liked In 2023

Space Ambition • 379 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💼 Business Space Industry
  1. In 2023, there was a surge in funding for spacetech companies, especially in areas like commercial space stations and robotics. This shows that investors are excited about the future of space exploration and development.
  2. Debris removal and in-orbit servicing are gaining attention as important niches in spacetech. Many startups are exploring these areas, indicating a growing need for sustainable solutions in space.
  3. Despite competition in the space launch sector, several companies still secured significant investments. This suggests that there are still opportunities in launching services, but investors are cautious about long-term viability.

Spotlight: Jonathan Lacoste - General Partner @ Space.VC

Space Ambition • 179 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
💼 Business Space Industry
  1. Investing in space tech has huge potential. It's becoming a key part of important industries like defense, agriculture, and communication.
  2. When looking to invest early, focus on the founding team and the size of the customer market. Successful relationships can be built before a product even exists.
  3. Finding big problems to solve is better than starting with a tech idea. Look for large markets that could benefit from smart space applications.

Italy: A Rising Star with Significant Contributions to the Space Industry

Space Ambition • 259 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Space Industry
  1. Italy has a strong aerospace industry, especially in Turin, which is a major global hub with over 160 companies and thousands of workers. It plays a key role in space projects, including working on the International Space Station.
  2. Italy is an important player in the European Space Agency, contributing significant funding and securing contracts for projects like Earth observation satellites and lunar studies. This shows Italy's growing influence in the space sector.
  3. The Italian space community is supported by a mix of government, academic institutions, and private companies. This collaboration helps foster innovation and growth among startups in the space industry.

April 2023 Space Stock Review + 2022 SPAC Guidance Analysis + 1Q23 Earnings Scorecard

Case Closed • 216 implied HN points • 31 May 23
💰 Finance Space Industry
  1. Space stocks lagged behind the broader market in April due to mixed signals and economic uncertainties.
  2. Many space SPACs did not meet their original revenue projections, highlighting the risks involved in relying on overly optimistic guidance.
  3. Evaluating space SPAC earnings can help identify companies that show potential for growth and survival during economic challenges.

January 2023 Space Stock Review

Case Closed • 196 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
💰 Finance Space Industry
  1. Legacy space companies outperformed space SPACs in 2022
  2. In 2023, focus on analyzing legacy space companies due to heightened interest in 'dual-use' investing
  3. New year brings updated analysis tools, including a broader set of space companies in the valuation comp sheet
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Alchemy on the Moon

Planetocracy • 196 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Space Industry
  1. Blue Origin's Blue Alchemist project aims to develop methods to manufacture goods from lunar materials, starting with producing silicon for solar panels.
  2. Blue Origin's focus on efficiency in their method of Molten Regolith Electrolysis could impact the future space economy by reducing the need for frequent vessel swaps and minimizing the weight of supplies sent to the moon.
  3. Blue Origin faces competition from SpaceX in the race to establish lunar industry, with SpaceX currently holding an advantage in cost-effectiveness and launch capabilities.

July 2023 Space Stock Review

Case Closed • 157 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
💰 Finance Space Industry
  1. July saw growth stocks leading in market performance
  2. Rocket Lab's valuation is rising due to its reliable launch business and growth potential
  3. ViaSat faced challenges with a satellite malfunction impacting its revenue

What leadership changes mean for launch industry

Europe in Space • 58 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Space Industry
  1. European launch industry has over 420 vacancies, but the figures are skewed by certain companies.
  2. Funding for European launch startups varies, with some needing more than the assumed €100 million.
  3. Virgin Orbit's downfall may actually benefit the UK's launch industry by redirecting attention and funds to more impactful companies.

August 2023 Space Stock Review

Case Closed • 39 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
💼 Business Space Industry
  1. August is typically a tough month for stocks due to factors like trader vacations and profit-taking.
  2. Market weakness in August could be due to concerns about inflation and potential interest rate hikes.
  3. Space SPACs saw declines in August, with specific focus on LEO satcom valuation and ViaSat's satellite failures.

SpaceX’s Launch Growth: Quantity Over Quality?

Ill-Defined Space • 28 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Space Industry
  1. Counting launches and numbers in the space industry can look impressive, but it may not reflect the industry's true health. Much of the activity is driven by one company, SpaceX, which creates a misleading picture of overall growth.
  2. SpaceX recently lowered its launch goal for 2024. Even though the adjusted goal still means launching more than last year, it's questionable why they set such ambitious targets in the first place if they seem unlikely to be met.
  3. Most of SpaceX's launches are for its own Starlink project, meaning fewer launches are benefiting external customers. This focus could stifle competition and innovation in the broader space industry.

Space Industry Stories and Fibs

Ill-Defined Space • 19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Space Industry
  1. Some claims in the space industry are exaggerated or misleading, often to attract investment or support without solid proof. It's important to be critical of what you hear.
  2. Cheap launches are often a myth; while SpaceX may offer lower prices, many other companies do not match that, and the real cost can be hidden.
  3. Many small satellite launchers struggle in the market because they face tough competition and higher costs. The trend is shifting back towards larger rockets that can handle multiple satellites at once.

More Upmass!! (Or, Small Launch=Little Business)

Ill-Defined Space • 9 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Space Industry
  1. Heavy-class rockets are the most popular choice in 2024, with more than half of all launches using them. They are often needed for bigger payloads like satellites.
  2. China has a wide range of rockets, launching more different types than the U.S. and other countries combined. This shows their strong focus on space operations.
  3. Small rockets are the least used, even though many startups are trying to develop them. This highlights a challenge in the market for small satellite launches.

Smallsats: Commercial Shift Spurs Growing Ecosystem

Ill-Defined Space • 38 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🕹 Technology Space Industry
  1. Smallsats have transformed the space industry by becoming more commercially focused, creating new opportunities
  2. The cost of deploying smallsats has significantly decreased, making it more affordable for entrepreneurs to enter the space industry
  3. The smallsat ecosystem has expanded, with dedicated manufacturers, launch providers, and ground networks catering to the needs of smallsat operators

Amazon Kuiper: More Than LEO Broadband

Ill-Defined Space • 19 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Space Industry
  1. Amazon Kuiper offers more than just broadband internet, leveraging its space infrastructure for other revenue streams.
  2. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy envisions Kuiper providing reliable internet access to underserved areas worldwide, enabling various activities like education and commerce.
  3. Amazon's investment in Kuiper is a small fraction of its annual revenues and profits, highlighting the company's broader vision beyond just internet broadband services.

A Book of Business Opportunities: A Look at “A City on Mars”

Ill-Defined Space • 9 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Space Industry
  1. Understanding the challenging reality of settling Mars, the Moon, and space stations is crucial. 'A City on Mars' provides insight into the complexities of space settlement.
  2. The space industry presents numerous business and learning opportunities. From human survival in various environments to developing necessary technologies, there's a wide scope for innovation in space.
  3. By addressing challenges like human physiology in space, businesses can create profitable solutions applicable both off-world and on Earth. 'A City on Mars' emphasizes the need for careful consideration and innovation in the space settlement sector.

NASA's Relationship with Commercial Space

SpaceDotBiz • 0 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🔬 Science Space Industry
  1. Lori Garver played a crucial role in the success of commercial space programs at NASA, preventing early defunding and supporting SpaceX.
  2. Certain government space products and services, like launch vehicles and data, can be more efficiently purchased commercially rather than built internally.
  3. Efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the aerospace industry require intentional actions from leadership, programs like the Brooke Owens Fellowship show positive impact.

Quicktake: Vertical integration is an overused term (Space industry case)

Intersections (by Filip) • 0 implied HN points • 23 May 24
🕹 Technology Space Industry
  1. Vertical integration in the space industry is a popular but overused term
  2. SpaceX, despite being associated with vertical integration success, actually works with third parties at different levels
  3. Vertical integration may be beneficial in specific market conditions or for cultural reasons, but it can also be expensive and not always the best strategy

DC edition: Musings on the SatShow 2024 conference

Intersections (by Filip) • 0 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
💼 Business Space Industry
  1. The industry at SatShow 2024 is experiencing a shift from emergency cash needs to a desire for expansion, with companies wanting to grow but facing cash limitations.
  2. Venture capital discussions at SatShow delved into strategic deployment of capital, survival rates of VCs in the industry, and the impact of new micro/solo GPs on the ecosystem.
  3. SpaceX's increased openness and the emergence of proliferated space infrastructure are changing dynamics, with new challenges for startups and a focus on optimizing the use of existing space infrastructure.

The Do's and Dont's of Space Startup Recruiting

SpaceDotBiz • 0 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Space Industry
  1. Space startups often face challenges in recruiting top talent due to competition for a small pool of skilled individuals.
  2. Early startups should strive for diversity in their hiring to avoid forming a homogenous team with limited perspectives.
  3. To attract and maintain diverse talent, space companies must go beyond just stating a commitment to diversity and actively support initiatives that empower underrepresented groups.

🐿️ Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines - The Insanely Profitable Tech Newsletter

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 0 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Space Industry
  1. Experimentation is key to learning. Just like early aviators learned from their crash attempts, businesses can benefit from trying new things and learning quickly from failures.
  2. SpaceX took more risks and embraced failures, which helped them succeed faster. They learned from their explosions, while Boeing took a safer approach and faced delays and high costs.
  3. In software development, mistakes can be less costly than in aerospace. Companies should feel free to experiment and gather feedback from users to improve their products, just like SpaceX does.