Payload Research: Detailing Launch Startup Funding

The next few years are make or break for launch startups—either achieve orbit and scale or go the way of Astra and Virgin Orbit. 

Over the next two weeks, Payload will examine the capital raised by launch startups, how dollars are being spent, the product roadmap progress, and how (or if) the companies fit into the future of launch.  

There are two key categories of launch in our mind: economic launch and responsive launch. SpaceX has achieved dominance in economic launch (in other words, it’s unlikely that any launch company will match their economics anytime soon). However, the responsive category (launching at any time into any orbital plane at a reasonable cost) is still up for grabs and is a market that can create a few sustainable winners.

History says that’s OK: 47% of maiden launches suffer a significant anomaly, according to ESA chief Josef Aschbacher. SpaceX’s first rocket, the Falcon 1, failed to reach orbit on its first three launches. New rockets needing multiple shots on goal is almost expected in the rocket game. 

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