Welcome to
NewSpace Index
Concise original overview of commercial satellite constellations,
small satellite rocket launchers and NewSpace funding options.
Sister websites www.nanosats.eu and www.factoriesinspace.com
Small Satellite Launchers
Aiming to list small launchers and microlaunchers with up to 1500 kg payload to SSO orbit. Active, planned and cancelled initiatives included.
First created in 2016 and launchers added one-by-one as discovered.
- Erik Kulu. "Satellite Constellations - 2024 Survey, Trends and Economic Sustainability." IAC 2024. Oct 17, 2024.
- Erik Kulu. "Small Launchers - 2023 Industry Survey and Market Analysis." 74th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2023). Oct 4, 2023.
- Erik Kulu. "Small Launchers - 2021 Industry Survey and Market Analysis." 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2021). Oct 29, 2021.
- Erik Kulu. "Satellite Constellations - 2021 Industry Survey and Trends." 35th Annual Small Satellite Conference. Aug 10, 2021.
Graphs last update: 2024-12-31
214 launchers in the table below.
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Last update: 2024-12-31 | Changelog
Launcher Selection Approach
Including orbital class small launchers.
Commercial and civilian rockets preferred.
Maximum 1500 kg to SSO orbit. Payload to low altitudes and inclination can be more.
Performance values are not directly comparable as the stated orbits are often different.
Preference is to list payload capabilities to higher SSO orbits, but not available in many cases.
Most of the content should be linked to the source on this page unless it is the official website.
Launcher Status Description
Status above is an estimation based on a mix of the following criteria and can be debatable:
Retired - Launchers that were operational, but have since been discontinued or no further launches announced or many years have passed.
Operational - Launches to orbit have been performed (successfully or not) and next launches will have payloads and high likelihood of achieving orbital velocity.
Development - Company active, intention publicly announced, relevant updates on social media and website, team size increasing, private funding announced or governmental projects awarded.
Concept - Idea or Unknown. Study stage not yet approved for hardware development, lack of proof about sustained technical development, active development unlikely based on funding level and type of updates, team very small and not increasing nased on LinkedIn.
Dormant - First step on the way to Cancelled. Website offline, lack of recent (1+ year) posts on social media channels or only non-related topics, very small team (or a single person) according to LinkedIn, no announced fundraising or none recently. For example, Astra developed in stealth, but they still had 50+ persons on LinkedIn and active signs and rumours in the industry.
Cancelled - Website offline for years or no indication of the launcher any more or company bankrupt.