Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dossier 6: Selected Success Stories

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Rise of Private Actors in the Space Sector

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology ((BRIEFSESPI))

  • 564 Accesses

Abstract

The following success stories have been selected from a pool of private actors that have emerged in the U.S. and Europe.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    B. Tita, “Commercial Space Exploration—A Next Frontier for Manufacturers?” ITAC, July 6th 2016, http://itac.nyc/commercial-space-exploration-next-frontier-manufacturers/.

  2. 2.

    Q. Mohammad, “Opportunities and challenges in commercializing space privately”, TechCrunch, Sept. 9th 2016, https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/09/opportunities-and-challenges-in-commercializing-space-privately/.

  3. 3.

    I. Klotz, “Billionaire Elon Musk outlines plans for humans to colonize Mars”, Reuters, 28th September 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-musk-idUSKCN11X2DV.

  4. 4.

    Musk initially committed $100 million of his personal wealth to launch the Company on the market http://www.spacex.com/about.

  5. 5.

    Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket powered by a liquid oxygen/kerosene engine. It has only one stage of separation, one engine per stage, each equipped with only a single fuel injector. It is a small rocket, designed for the launch of small satellites. It has once lifted 635 kg (1400 lbs).

  6. 6.

    P. D. Spudis, “The Tale of FALCON 1. The development of SpaceX’s Falcon 1 is a story of promise -and partial fulfilment”, Air & Space, July 22nd 2012, http://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/the-tale-of-falcon-1-5193845/.

  7. 7.

    “SpaceX Awarded $100 Million Contract From USAF For Falcon 1”, Space Daily, May 4th 2005, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launchers-05zp.html.

  8. 8.

    “SpaceX wins NASA COTS contract To demonstrate cargo delivery to Space Station”, SpaceX Press Inquiries, Aug. 18th 2006, http://www.spacex.com/press/2012/12/19/spacex-wins-nasa-cots-contract-demonstrate-cargo-delivery-space-station.

  9. 9.

    In the first round it has been also awarded with COTS, Rocketplane Kistler ($206 million). “Commercial Orbital Transportation Services. A New Era in Spaceflight”, NASA, Feb. 2014, https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/SP-2014-617.pdf.

  10. 10.

    “Review of NASA’s acquisition of commercial launch services”, NASA Office of Inspector General, Feb. 17th 2011, https://oig.nasa.gov/audits/reports/FY11/IG-11-012.pdf.

  11. 11.

    Orbital ATK and NASA developed a new space transportation system to provide commercial cargo resupply mission to the ISS. Under the COTS, the Company developed Antares (medium class launch vehicle) and the Cygnus (advanced manoeuvring spacecraft). The first successful mission was accomplished in September 2013. The following year Orbital ATK was awarded with a CRS contract providing for cargo transportation to the ISS. https://www.orbitalatk.com/space-systems/human-space-advanced-systems/commercial-resupply-services/.

  12. 12.

    A. Young, “The Twenty-First Century Commercial Space Imperative”, Springer, June 1st 2015.

  13. 13.

    In ibid.

  14. 14.

    “NASA selects SpaceX to return Americans to space”, SpaceX Press Inquiries, Aug. 3rd 2012, http://www.spacex.com/press/2012/12/19/nasa-selects-spacex-return-americans-space.

  15. 15.

    “Commercial Orbital Transportation Services: A New Era in Spaceflight”, NASA, Feb. 2014, https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/SP-2014-617.pdf.

  16. 16.

    L. D. Solomon, “The privatization of space exploration. Business, technology, law and policy”, Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 2008.

  17. 17.

    T. Quemener, “SpaceX landing is a “Feat”, but not a game-changer”, SpaceDaily, Dec. 22 2015, http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/SpaceX_landing_is_a_feat_but_not_a_game-changer_expert_999.html.

  18. 18.

    It should be noticed that the French Agency, CNES, and ONERA signed a letter of intent, as part of a framework agreement, regarding a study on RLV that will cover the analysis of the launch system during the first stage recovery phase and many aerothermodynamics simulations. “Reusable Launchers—CNES and ONERA working together”, CNES PRESS, Oct. 2 2015 https://presse.cnes.fr/en/reusable-launchers-cnes-and-onera-working-together.

  19. 19.

    H. Fouquet, “Musk’s SpaceX, Once Pooh-Poohed, Is Wake-Up Call for Europeans”, Bloomberg, June 6th 2016, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-10/musk-s-spacex-once-pooh-poohed-is-wake-up-call-for-europeans.

  20. 20.

    L. Wayne, “A Bold Plan to Go Where Men Have Gone Before”, The New York Times, Feb 5th 2006, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/business/yourmoney/a-bold-plan-to-go-where-men-have-gone-before.html.

  21. 21.

    A. Ha, “Private rocket company SpaceX gets $20 M from The Founders Fund”, Venture Beat, August 6th 2008, http://venturebeat.com/2008/08/06/private-rocket-company-spacex-gets-20m-from-the-founders-fund/.

  22. 22.

    The funds coming from VCs are divided into rounds or stages, and these are typically equity. The rounds vary because of the size. Series A investment rounds range from $2 to $10 million; Series B less than $10 million; Series C higher than ten of million dollars and so on. Tauri Group, “Start-Up Space. Rising Investment in Commercial Space Ventures”, January 2016, https://space.taurigroup.com/reports/Start_Up_Space.pdf.

  23. 23.

    R. Smiths, “How Does SpaceX Make Money?” The Motley Fool, June 25th 2016, http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/06/25/how-does-spacex-make-money.aspx.

  24. 24.

    D. Etherington, “SpaceX Raises $1 Billion In New Funding From Google And Fidelity”, TechCrunch, Jan. 20th 2015, https://techcrunch.com/2015/01/20/spacex-raises-1-billion-in-new-funding-from-google-and-fidelity/.

  25. 25.

    R. Smith, “SpaceX + Google = Satellite Internet”, The Motley Fool, Feb. 7th 2015, http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/02/07/spacex-google-satellite-internet.aspx.

  26. 26.

    Musk did not reveal the revenues of SpaceX, and it is hard to make an estimation of a lump sum. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1181412/000118141209000003/xslFormDX01/primary_doc.xml.

  27. 27.

    Draper Fisher Juvertson (DFJ) is one of the big venture capitalists in the U.S., who invests in technology. The VC was the first one to finance both Planet Labs and SpaceX. https://dfj.com/portfolio/index.php.

  28. 28.

    https://www.planet.com/.

  29. 29.

    50 Companies That May Be the Next Start-Up Unicorns, New York Times, Aug. 23rd 2015, http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/23/here-are-the-companies-that-may-be-the-next-50-start-up-unicorns/. See also, 50 Future Unicorns predicted by CB Insights Company Mosaic, CBInsights, Aug. 23rd 2015, https://www.cbinsights.com/research-future-unicorn-companies.

  30. 30.

    Rao, Leena. “Planet Labs Raises $13 M From DFJ, OATV, Founders Fund To Build The World’s Largest Fleet Of Earth-Imaging Satellites”. TechCrunch, June 25 2013, https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/25/planet-labs-raises-13m-from-oatv-founders-fund-to-build-the-worlds-largest-fleet-of-earth-imaging-satellites/.

  31. 31.

    Marshall, Will. “Space is hard: Antares rocket failure”, Planet Blog, Oct. 28th 2014, https://www.planet.com/pulse/space-is-hard/.

  32. 32.

    Lawler, Ryan. “Planet Labs Nabs $95 Million And A New COO To Cover The Earth With Flocks Of Tiny Satellites”. TechCrunch, Jan. 23rd 2015, https://techcrunch.com/2015/01/20/planet-labs-95m/.

  33. 33.

    Cfr. Werner, Debra, “Why Planet Labs Can Shrug Off Launch Failures”, SpaceNews, Nov. 17th 2015, http://spacenews.com/why-planet-labs-can-shrug-off-launch-failures/.

  34. 34.

    Buhr, Sarah. “Planet Labs Rockets To $118 Million In Series C Funding To Cover The Earth In Tiny Satellites”, TechCrunch, April 13th 2015, https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/13/planet-labs-rockets-to-118-million-in-series-c-funding-to-cover-the-earth-in-tiny-satellites/. See also: Marshall, Will. “Planet Closes Larger-Than-Expected Series C Round”, Planet Blog, April 13th 2015, https://www.planet.com/pulse/ifc/.

  35. 35.

    Foust, Jeff. “Planet Labs Buying BlackBridge and its RapidEye Constellation”, SpaceNews, July 15th 2015, http://spacenews.com/planet-labs-buying-blackbridge-and-its-rapideye-constellation/#sthash.GfHzZN8c.dpuf.

  36. 36.

    Presentation. Schingler, Robbie. “Planet Labs and Disruptive Business Models”, GeoSpatial World Forum, Rotterdam, June 8th 2016, http://geospatialworldforum.org/speaker/SpeakersImages/Planet-Labs-earth-imaging-satellites-and-geospatial-business-models.pdf.

  37. 37.

    The REDD + initiative has different objectives among which the identification of the forest disturbance in a detailed way; detect the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation; improve the measuring and the report of the activities through a cost-effective solutions with a country coverage. Cfr. https://www.planet.com/markets/redd/.

  38. 38.

    Marshall, Will. “A commitment to Sustainability”. Planet Blog, Sept. 28th 2015, https://www.planet.com/pulse/globalgoals/.

  39. 39.

    IFC invests in Planet Labs to improve access to emerging market satellite imagery, IFC Press Release. April 13th 2015, http://ifcextapps.ifc.org/ifcext%5Cpressroom%5Cifcpressroom.nsf%5C0%5C74AF6601CDB3D8B485257E260063B42D.

  40. 40.

    Cheney, Catharine. “Why the World Bank’s venture capital arm is investing in Silicon Valley”. Devex, May 26th 2016. https://www.devex.com/news/why-the-world-bank-s-venture-capital-arm-is-investing-in-silicon-valley-88177.

  41. 41.

    Schingler, Robbie and Richard B. Leshner. “The Space renaissance: the government as an early adopter”. Space News, March 1st 2016. http://spacenews.com/op-ed-the-space-renaissance-the-government-as-an-early-adopter/.

  42. 42.

    It is noteworthy to mention Zero2Infinity, founded in 2009 by Jose Lopez Urdiales and based in Barcelona, as it aims to develop a stratospheric balloon-based system for human space travel and scientific research. In 2009 Zero2Infinity, raised $8 million from investors who believed that revolutionising access to space could be possible and could make space affordable for everyone; See also: “Spain may captain European New Space Endeavour”, Medium, Aug 1st 2014, https://medium.com/@Space_Digest_en/spain-may-captain-european-newspace-endeavour-e6a7748ac4a0#.mv5pz4wjg.

  43. 43.

    CanSat is a simulation of a real satellite integrated within a minimal volume, that of a can. This small satellite is successively launched to an altitude of a few hundred metres or dropped from a platform or a captive balloon. The aim is to carry out a scientific experiment and achieve a safe landing. ESA, http://www.esa.int/Education/CanSat/What_is_a_CanSat.

  44. 44.

    “PLD Space probara’ motores de propulsion liquida para la Agencia Espacial Alemana”, InfoEspacial.com, http://www.infoespacial.com/es/2016/01/08/noticia-space-probara-motores-propulsion-liquida-agencia-espacial-alemania.html.

  45. 45.

    PLD Space Presentation, July 7th 2014, http://www.pldspace.com/blog/en/2014/02/07/pld-space-presentation/.

  46. 46.

    PLD Space, Data from CrunchBase, https://www.crunchbase.com/funding-round/bb035e21c6271944a588f737d8e3ed96.

  47. 47.

    It is important to notice that the average age of entrepreneurs changed since the last 15 years, from 40 to 30. The two founders of PLD Space were under 25 when they start working on this project and today at 30 they are managing one of the most influential start-up in the European landscape, as it was defined.

  48. 48.

    PLD Space Blogger, “The Spanish Government supports PLD Space launchers development with a $1.56 M TEPREL program”, PLD Space Blog, April 7th 2016, http://www.pldspace.com/blog/en/2016/04/07/spanish-government-teprel-program-aprroved/#sthash.3juQ2aXQ.dpuf.

  49. 49.

    C. Henry, “Spanish propulsion start-wants to build Europe’s first reusable rockets”, SpaceNews, Nov. 30th 2016, http://spacenews.com/spanish-propulsion-startup-wants-to-build-europes-first-reusable-rockets/.

  50. 50.

    NEOTEC is a fund of funds created in 2006. This fund is a joint venture between the European Investment Fund (EIF) and a Spanish government entity advised by the EIF including Spanish Blue Chips as investors. The NEOTEC’s aim is to invest in technology funds in Spain. European Investment Fund, Annual Report 2012, http://www.eif.org/news_centre/publications/eif_-annual_report_2012.pdf.

  51. 51.

    The project received 4 million euros from the H2020 programme. T. Abrahamsen, “SMILE: Launch of Small Innovative Launcher for Europe”, Andoya Space, May 31st 2016, http://andoyaspace.no/?p=2282.

  52. 52.

    Among the companies that participated in the project are the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Nammo Raufoss AS, Terma, Andoya Space Centre (ASC), the National Institute for Aerospace Research, Innovative Solutions in Space (ISIS), 3D Systems Leuven, PLD Space, Tecnalia, BoesAdvies, and WEPA Technologies.

  53. 53.

    PLD Space Blogger, “PLD Space gets ESA support to develop the first reusable launch vehicle technologies in Europe”, PLD Space, Nov. 7th 2016, http://www.pldspace.com/blog/en/2016/11/07/pld-space-esa-support-reusable-launch-vehicle-europe/.

  54. 54.

    Italian Business Tips. D-Orbit, the Italian start-up that keeps space clean-Interview with Luca Rossettini, CEO. March 18th 2016. http://www.italianbusinesstips.com/d-orbit-keeps-space-clean-interview-luca-rossettini/.

  55. 55.

    D-Orbit. Investor relations. http://www.deorbitaldevices.com/investor-relations/.

  56. 56.

    Caixa Capital. D-Orbit, Srl, (Italy, Milan) opened its subsidiary D-Orbit PT in Lisbon. Caixa Capital, March 24th 2014. http://caixacapital.pt/en/news/news/d-orbit-srl-italy-milan-opened-its-subsidiary-d-orbit-pt-in-lisbon/. See also: SAPOTEK. Startup internacional D-Orbit abre sucursal em Portugal. March 24th 2014. http://tek.sapo.pt/noticias/negocios/artigo/startup_internacional_d_orbit_abre_sucursal_em_portugal-1373809tek.html.

  57. 57.

    FINSMES. D-Orbit Raises €1.83 M in VC Funding. Oct. 8th 2015. http://www.finsmes.com/2015/10/d-orbit-raises-e1-83m-in-vc-funding.html.

  58. 58.

    D-Orbit Profile on Pitchbook. https://pitchbook.com/profiles/d-orbit-profile-investors-funding-valuation-and-analysis.

  59. 59.

    D-Orbit is the only Italian B-corporation.

  60. 60.

    The funds have been allocated under the Grant Agreement No. 687295. Airbus Defence and Space. Airbus Defence and Space to lead TeSeR, next EU project to clean up space. Airbus Press Release. May 4th 2016. https://airbusdefenceandspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/press-release-teser-en.pdf. See also: D-Orbit. D-Orbit onboard TeSeR, a major EU project to clean up space debris. D-Orbit Press Release. May 24th 2016. http://www.deorbitaldevices.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20160523-PR-D-Orbit-onboard-TeSeR.pdf.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. European Space Policy Institute, Vienna, Austria

    Alessandra Vernile

Authors
  1. Alessandra Vernile
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alessandra Vernile .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Vernile, A. (2018). Dossier 6: Selected Success Stories. In: The Rise of Private Actors in the Space Sector. SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73802-4_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73802-4_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-73801-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-73802-4

  • eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation