The Journal of Space Commerce
Ex Terra: The Journal of Space Commerce
The Space Economy Growth, and the Constitution to the Moon
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The Space Economy Growth, and the Constitution to the Moon

Some of the Top Stories from The Journal of Space Commerce This Week

Analysts are still bullish on the potential for the space economy.

For evidence, we cite the 11th Edition of the Novaspace Space Economy Report, which forecasts that the global space economy will grow from $596 billion in 2024, to $944 billion by 2033. This steady growth, driven primarily by advancements in downstream solutions, could mark a pivotal decade for the industry.

The report emphasizes the essential role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing in downstream applications. These innovations are enhancing data collection and processing capabilities, fostering convergence with the digital economy, and creating new opportunities for commercial adoption.

While downstream activities play a central role, upstream sectors face persistent challenges. Inflation, supply chain disruptions, and material shortages are reshaping traditional ecosystems, prompting industry consolidation and increased competition from vertically integrated players.

Emerging business models, such as Direct-to-Device services and in-orbit economies hold promise for the industry’s future. However, their success will depend on early mission performance and commercial viability.

Government investment remains a key factor in driving growth, with global military space budgets exceeding $64 billion.

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Stoke Space, a company working to build a fully-reusable medium lift rocket, has closed a $260 million Series C funding round. The round involves new and existing investors, and brings the total raised by the company to $480 million.

The company says the round round reflects the growing demand for its innovative approach to creating ultra-low-cost on-demand space transportation, as well as the exceptional progress it has made in developing the fully reusable solutions that make low-cost access to, and from space possible.

The funding round comes just weeks after the company’s successful vertical test firing of its first-stage Zenith engine on its test stand in Moses Lake, Washington. Stoke intends to use the new funding to complete construction at the historic Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, which has been allocated by the Space Force for dedicated use by Stoke’s Nova launch vehicle. Launch Complex 14 was host to John Glenn’s iconic Friendship 7 flight in 1962

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A definitive agreement has been reached for the acquisition of Edge Autonomy by Redwire Corporation. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Redwire will acquire Edge Autonomy for $925 million on a debt free, cash free basis and subject to customary working capital, cash and debt adjustments.

The acquisition is expected to transform Redwire into a multi-domain autonomous technology company, broadening its portfolio of mission-critical space platforms to include combat-proven autonomous airborne platforms.

Formed in 2021 through the merger of UAV Factory and Jennings Aeronautics, Edge Autonomy harnesses over three decades of experience developing uncrewed and autonomous technology systems.

The companies expect the combination of Redwire and Edge Autonomy to create a multi-domain, scaled and profitable space and defense tech company focused on the convergence of integrated autonomous, AI-enabled multi-domain operations for defense and national security.

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Voyager Space has rebranded as Voyager Technologies. The company says the strategic shift highlights its capabilities and position across broad technology markets and underscores its stated commitment to delivering mission-critical solutions that address the most complex challenges from ground to orbit.

As part of this evolution, Voyager has also organized its operations into three business segments: Defense & National Security, focusing on defense systems, spectrum dominance, communications systems, guidance and navigation systems, and national security space; Space Solutions, delivering cutting-edge space and science systems including the Bishop Airlock, advanced exploration systems, space science and mission management; and Starlab Space Stations, developing the next generation of commercial space infrastructure to ensure continued human presence in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Now operating as Voyager Technologies, the company says it is “positioned to deliver mission enabling products and technologies and end-to-end mission solutions for the future.”

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A digital copy of the United States Constitution is traveling to the surface of the Moon as part of an historic lunar mission, marking the first-ever inclusion of the nation's foundational document in a permanent lunar archive.

The digital copy of the US Constitution embarked on its journey aboard Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander as part of the Copernic Space digital archive.

Looking ahead, Spacebit, a British privately held company developing space robotics technology for lunar and planetary missions, is preparing to send a physical copy of the U.S. Constitution to the Moon later this year. Encased in space-qualified materials, this version will be engineered to endure the harsh lunar environment for millions of years, standing as a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance.

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