Orbital Spaceflight Companies

Top Industry Leaders in the Orbital Spaceflight Market

August 2023- A Japanese startup specializing in space technology has announced its plans for the first rocket launch into orbit. Interstellar Technologies Inc. has set a target for launching its Zero Rocket in 2025 and is currently conducting static fire tests as part of its testing procedure. The Zero Rocket will have dimensions of 82 feet (25 meters) in length and a 5.6-foot (1.7 m) diameter, making it slightly larger than Rocket Lab's Electron vehicle. It will have the capability to lift approximately 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms) to low Earth orbit and will take off from Japan's Hokkaido Spaceport. Interstellar has the objective of fulfilling the growing demand for small satellite launch capacity globally, in addition to Japan. The company is proud to claim the title of being the first commercial space company in Asia to achieve space access using a liquid propellant rocket, specifically their MOMO-F3 suborbital launcher. They anticipate that the introduction of this rocket will possess a significant impact on the market.

January 2023- The UK's first ever orbital space launch took place this January, with the mission being named 'Start Me Up' as a tribute to The Rolling Stones. The launch occured from Spaceport Cornwall at Newquay Airport. Virgin Orbit's modified Boeing 747, known as 'Cosmic Girl', took off from a runway and then released its LauncherOne rocket, which carried a payload of satellites. This system has the capacity to transport up to 300kg of cargo into orbit. The Amber constellation, consisting of more than 20 satellites, is intended to provide maritime data to governments and customers to address issues like illegal fishing, smuggling, and trafficking. The funding for this mission is provided by the UK Space Agency.