NewSpace Index

2023-01-01

• Jielong-3 (Smart Dragon-3) made first successful launch.
• SSLV made first failed launch.
• Astra retired Rocket 3.3 to focus on Rocket 4.
• SmallSpark seems to have pivoted to space tugs.
• Firefly Alpha made second launch, counting as successful even though orbit was lower than planned.
• Ceres-1 made 2 launches since last update.
• Kuaizhou-1A had 3 launches since last update.
• Long March 6 had 2 launches since last update.
• Long March 11 had 2 launches since summer.
• Kuaizhou-11 had 1 launch since last update.
• Electron had 4 launches since last update.
• Orbex raised $49M series C.
• Latitude (ex-Venture Orbital Systems) raised $10.6M series A.
• Skyroot raised $51 million.
• Interstellar Technologies raised $7.5M.
• Added MaiaSpace (ArianeGroup) with first launch in 2026.
• Added GAIA Aerospace.
• Added Merida Aerospace.
• Added Evolution Space (Sugarhouse Aerospace).
• SpinLaunch website now says 2025 for customer launches.
• ABL Space Systems first launch delayed to 2023.
• Relativity Space first launch delayed to 2023.
• Aevum first launch delayed to 2023.
• TiSPACE (Taiwan Innovative Space) first launch delayed to 2023.
• Interorbital Systems first launch delayed to 2023.
• Space Trek (Beijing Xingtu Exploration Technology, Spacetrek) first launch delayed to 2023.
• Deimos-One first launch delayed to 2023.
• Space One (Canon, IHI) first launch delayed to 2023.
• ARCA Space first launch delayed to 2023.
• Orbex Space (Orbital Launch Express) first launch delayed to 2023.
• RFA (Rocket Factory Augsburg) first launch delayed to 2023.
• Rocket Pi (Group) first launch delayed to 2023.
• bluShift Aerospace first launch delayed to 2023.
• Acrux Aerospace Technologies first launch delayed to 2023.
• SpinLaunch first launch delayed to 2023.
• Perigee / Perry Rocket first launch delayed to 2023.
• Isar Aerospace first launch delayed to 2023.
• Link Space (Linkspace) first launch delayed to 2023.
• Agnikul Cosmos first launch delayed to 2023.
• Pythom first launch delayed to 2023.
• TLON Space first launch delayed to 2023.
• Astra Space first launch delayed to 2023.
• Deep Blue Aerospace first launch delayed to 2023.
• SpaceRyde (Loonify) first launch delayed to 2023.
• Skyroot Aerospace first launch delayed to 2023.
• Gilmour Space first launch delayed to 2023.
• LEO Launcher & Logistics first launch delayed to 2023.
• C6 Launch Systems first launch delayed to 2023.
• INNOSPACE first launch delayed to 2023.
• Skyrora first launch delayed to 2023.
• Equatorial Space Systems from 2022 to Unknown.
• Orbital Exploration (OrbitX) marked as Dormant?
• Advanced Rockets Corporation changed to Concept because social media channels are quiet and only 1 full-time person on LinkedIn.
• Timewarp marked as Dormant as website is offline.

2022-08-01

• Added ENVOL.
• Added Tehiru Space.
• Added DeltaWorks Space.
• Added Dark.
• Expace raised $237M.
• LauncherOne performed 1 more mission.
• Electron performed 2 more missions.
• Nuri performed a second flight.
• Astra Rocket 3 had a launch failure, 5 out of 7.
• Kuaizhou-1 had 1 more flight.
• ZK-1 (Zhongke-1, Lijian-1) performed first successful flight.

2022-06-01

• SmallSpark Space has raised about $2.87M in total.
• Dark raised $5 million.
• Astra had a launch failure from Florida.
• Astra had 1 successful mission.
• LauncherOne performed 1 more mission.
• Electron performed 3 more missions.

2022-01-01

• STOKE Space raised $65M series A.
• ABL Space Systems raised $200 million on $2.4 billion valuation.
• Kuaizhou-1A one launch failed in December after 3 had been successful since September.
• PLD Space raised $28 million.
• Changed first launch from 2021 to 2022: ABL Space Systems, Aevum, ISRO SSLV, TiSPACE (Taiwan Innovative Space), Interorbital Systems, Space Trek (Beijing Xingtu Exploration Technology, Spacetrek), Deimos One, Space One (Canon, IHI), ARCA Space.
• Added upcoming Jielong-3 (Smart Dragon 3), CAS Space ZK-1A (Zhongke-1).
• Added cancelled Boeing ALASA and INTA Capricornio.

2021-11-07

• Numerous updates and additions during the IAC2021 paper writing.

2021-08-28

• Astra and Rocket Lab stock can now be traded publicly.
• Rocket Lab went public and raised $777 million at $4.8 billion valuation.
• Virgin Orbit announced going public at $3.2 billion valuation.
• Relativity delayed the first Terran-1 launch to 2022.
• Skyroot raised $11M Series A.
• Firefly raised $75M Series A.
• Isar raised $75M extra for Series B bringing round to $165M and total to over $180M.
• Phantom Space raised $5M seed.
• Space Pioneer raises at least $30 million.
• Relativity raised $650M Series E.
• Gilmour Space raised $47M Series C.
• AgniKul Cosmos raised $11M.
• Bellatrix Aerospace has removed Chetak from website and changed status to Concept.
• Rocketstar has removed StarLord from website and changes status to Concept.
• InnoSpace raised $21.8M for a total of $28.8M.
• Added IHI Aerospace.
• Added AirLaunch.
• Added Dongfang Space (Ospace).
• Added GALEX.
• Added Promin Aerospace (Zaarbird).
• Added Rocket Group.
• Added Space Transport Corporation.
• Added Strato Space System.
• Virgin Orbit LauncherOne performed second operational flight and third flight overall.
• Rocket Lab's one Electron launch failed and one succesful one.
• Hyperbola-1 launch failed.

2021-04-04

• Rocket Lab is going public via SPAC.
• Astra is going public via SPAC.
• Hyperbola-1 second launch failed.
• Pegasus contracted to launch at least 1 more time in 2021 and FAA renewed launch operator licenses.
• Virgin Orbit performed second launch and the first successful one to orbit.
• Electron launched twice in Q1 of 2021.
• Firehawk extended seed with $1.2 million.
• Phantom Space raises $2.1 million.
• ABL raises $170 million series B.
• Launcher will focus on developing Light instead of Rocket-1.
• Rocketcrafters rebranded to Vaya Space.
• Skyrora adds $3.5 million of public funding.
• Added Space Engine Systems.
• Added Opus Aerospace, Spark Orbital, Black Sky Aerospace, HeliuSpace, Kepler Aerospace.

2021-01-01

• Isar Aerospace raises $91M.
• Vector restarted operations under new ownership.
• Orbex raised $24 million.
• Firehawk Aerospace raised $2 million, but seems to be focusing on rocket engines and own rocket launch date TBD.
• Virgin Orbit and Astra Space performed first launches which failed, but marking as Operational because second launches will have payloads and high probability of succeeding.
• Galactic Energy performed first successful launch and raised $30M.
• Firefly Alpha first launch delayed to 2021.
• Added Phantom Space.
• Added Jarmyn Enterprise Space, Hypersonix Launch Systems.
• Vector Space was bought and has continued development.
• Relativity Space raised $500M.
• Venture Orbital raised over $0.9M.
• Multiple first launches delayed to 2021.
• Multiple first launches now unknown as previously announced dates have elapsed.
• Multiple companies marked as Cancelled as websites have expired and lack of updates.
• Multiple companies moved from Concept to Dormant.
• ARCA introduced EcoRocket, which has water based first stage.
• Added 0-GLaunch, Laros, Exodus Space, INNOSPACE, LongShot, POLARIS, SpaceHorizon, STAR Orbitals, Tachyon Aerospace, AvalonSpace, Fenix Space, MARCOM, Stratobooster, New Ascent, Hybrid Propulsion, Deimos One..

2020-10-04

• Very many first launches delayed to 2021 or beyond.
• iSpace raised $170.3M series B.
• LandSpace raised $180M series B.
• ABL Space Systems raises $49 million.
• First Kuaizhou-11 launch ended in failure.
• Isar Aerospace is planning first launch at the end of 2021.
• PLD Aerospace raises $8.2 million for a total of $32+ million, but orbital Miura 5 launch keeps getting pushed back.
• Added Lockheed Martin (Athena), Space Mission Architects, Timewarp, Protolaunch, C6 Launch Systems, Sidereus Space Dynamics, loyer-Taylor Laboratories (GTL), Wave Motion Launch.

2020-04-19

• Galactic Energy has raised $21.5 million.
• Agnikul raised about $3 million pre-seed.
• LEO Aerospace operations have been suspended after struggling to raise money.
• SpinLaunch raised $35 million for a total of $80 million.
• Added Space Pioneer who plans to develop their own launcher in the future.

2020-01-06

• Virgin Orbit and Astra Space first launches delayed to 2020.
• Relativity Space delayed first launch to 2021.
• Gilmour Space first launch is now 2021 on the website.
• SSC (Swedish Space Corporation) is aiming first launch in 2021.
• Space Ops first launch changed to 2022 based on the lack of prototype photos.
• Cubecab first launch changed to 2022 based on the lack of prototype photos.
• Isar Aerospace raised $17 million Series A.
• Added TiSPACE (Taiwan Innovative Space) Hapith V launcher.
• Changed Thor Launch Systems to Concept status.
• Rocketcrafters website is unavailable at the moment.

2019-11-10

• Relativity raised $140 million in Series C for a total of $185 million.
• Kuaizhou-1A launched 2 more satellites in August.
• Jielong-1 (Smart Dragon-1) made its first orbital launch in August.
• Bellatrix raised $3 million, but that's mostly for propulsion system demonstration.
• Rocket Lab has launched 9 missions.
• Vector suspended operations.
• Pegasus launched one more time for a total of 44 missions.
• Firefly first launch delayed to 2020.
• bluShift Aerospace first launch delayed to 2022.
• HyImpulse first launch expected in 2022.
• Zero 2 Infinity orbital booster status is unknown and launch did not happen in 2019.
• CloudIX (Nine) still has 2 employees according to LinkedIn.
• Generation Orbit is focusing on hypersonic test vehicles at the moment.
• Fore Dynamics website is inactive and likely dormant.
• ISRO PSLV Light launched delayed to 2020.
• Aevum got $4.9 million U.S. Air Force launch contract.
• CTA does not seem to be having first launch in 2019.
• Rocketcrafters does not seem to be having first launch in 2019.
• CONAE does not seem to be having first launch in 2019.
• RocketStar does not seem to be having first launch in 2019.
• SpaceOps does not seem to be having first launch in 2019.
• Equatorial Space Industries plans first launch in 2021 instead of 2019.
• Earth to Sky has reduced cost from $14M to $12M and has manifested mission for 2021.
• Link Space plans first orbital launch in 2021.
• LandSpace ZQ-1 payload is 200 kg instead of 300 kg previously.
• Dawn Aerospace is starting development of their orbital launch vehicle in 2020 and planned launch unknown.
• Interorbital Systems payload have changed, using N1 with 12 kg capacity.
• Vega Light does not seem to be in active development.

2019-06-11

• Added TLON Space.
• Added Acrux Aerospace Technologies.
• Added Space Transportation from China.
• Added Perigee Rocket from Korea.
• ABL Space Systems performance increased and cost decreased.
• Added STAR.
• Added Green Launch.
• Added Skyroot.
• Added SpaceRyde, which was previously Loonify at YCombinator.
• Added Deep Blue Aerospace.

2019-01-10

• LandSpace raised $43 million for a total of $116 million.
• Added Lex Aerospace, which is likely dormant.
• PLD Space rename launchers from Arion 2 to Miura 5 and doubled lift capacity after ESA review.
• Launcher is aiming for mid-2020s.
• Aphelion Orbitals winded down operations.
• Dawn Aerospace raised $2.2M and plans to fly in 2020.
• Added Earth to Sky.
• Vector Space is now planning first launch in 2019.
• Firefly Alpha first flight is very likely delayed to early 2020.
• Added Isar Aerospace.
• Added Vogue Aerospace.
• Virgin Orbit, Zero 2 Infinity, bspace, CloudIX, Astr Space, CTA, One Space first launches delayed to 2019.

2018-10-28

• UP Aerospace Spyder first launch is planned for 2021.
• Vector raised additional $70 million Series B.
• Gilmour Space raised $13.5 million.
• Added Exos Aerospace Jaguar launcher.
• Vega Light could be ready by 2021.
• Orbital Access estimates first launch in 2023.
• Equatorial Space Industries aims first launch by the end of 2019.
• Canon Electronic and IHI Aerospace will create SpaceOne with launches in the early 2020s.
• Added Dawn Aerospace.
• Added Reaction Dynamics.
• Added Pythom.
• Added Advanced Rockets Coporation.
• Added Pangea Aerospace.
• Added Spacedarts.
• Added Smallspark Space Systems.
• Added Wagner Industries.
• Added Frontier Astronautics.
• Added bluShift Aerospace.
• Added HyImpulse.
• Added Roketsan.
• Added Rose Galactic.
• Added Thor Launch Systems.
• Added years of founding to a handful of companies.

2018-09-11

• Firefly Alpha values updated.

2018-08-19

• Agnikul rocket is named AgniBaan and capable of delivering 100 kg.
• Firefly Alpha is back from being dormant with first launch planned for 2019.
• More details about Interstellar Technologies like named for Zero, planned for 2021 and 100 kg payload capability.
• Orbex has secured funding of Chinarocket, but not much is known.
• Aevum will be launched from plane with flights starting from 2019 if all goes to plan.
• Spinlaunch raised $40 million more and is targeting 2022..
• Added i-Space or Space Honor from China which raised $90.6 million.
• RocketStar delayed first launch date to 2019.
• OneSpace has raised additional $43.6 million for a total of $116 million and plans first launch in 2018.
• Added Link Space New Line 1 rocket.

2018-05-24

• Added Bellatrix Aerospace Chetak launcher.
• Added Stofiel Aerospace BOREAS launch system.
• Cubecab has delayed their first launch to 2020.

2018-04-08

• Added Canon Electronics.
• Added Interstellar Technologies.
• Added abl space systems and RS1 rocket.
• Relativity Space raised $35M for a total of $41.1M.
• Increased SpinLaunch raised funds to $10M and changed the type to catapult launch.
• Added New Rocket Technologies.
• Added Leaf Space Primo launch system.
• Added ISRO PSLV Light launcher.

2017-12-31

• Added about 15 companies.
• Rocket Lab, Exspace, JAXA, LandSpace and LauncherOne first successful orbital launches delayed to 2018.
• Added Aphelion Orbitals.
• Vector Space raised $21 million for a total of $32.75 million.
• ARCA Space seems very unlikely to reach orbital launch capability.
• Added CloudIX, Orbex Space, Fore Dynamics, Skyrora, LAUNCHER, Rocketplane, Odyne, Ripple and Stealth Space Company.