🌎 Challenging U.S. Dominance: Insights from the EIU Space for Growth Report
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This week, Open Cosmos and the European Space Agency signed a €35 million contract for NanoMagSat, an innovative mission under ESA’s Scout framework. The mission will deploy a constellation of three satellites to monitor Earth’s magnetic field and ionospheric environment with advanced precision, furthering Europe’s leadership in geophysical research from space.
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) also released the Space for Growth Report, exploring how geopolitical ambitions, commercial opportunities, and new technologies are converging to create a more competitive and dynamic global space sector.
Read on to learn more about the NanoMagSat mission, the EIU's report on the evolving space economy and your weekly news round-up.
In this edition of the Space Impulse Newsletter, you'll find:
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Space News Highlight ✨
Open Cosmos Secures €35M ESA Contract For NanoMagSat Mission To Advance Magnetic Field Monitoring
Open Cosmos and the European Space Agency - ESA have finalized a €35 million contract for NanoMagSat, an innovative mission under ESA’s Scout framework. The first satellite is set to launch in late 2027, with the remaining satellites following soon after. Together, the constellation will operate for three years, offering enhanced spatial and temporal coverage. The constellation will orbit at 545 km, with two satellites at a 60° inclination and a third in a polar orbit.
🌎 Challenging U.S. Dominance: Insights from the EIU Space for Growth Report
The space sector is witnessing rapid diversification, with nations worldwide striving to reshape a landscape long dominated by the United States. The Economist Intelligence: EIU 's Space Economy Heatmap Report provides insights into how countries are leveraging technological innovation, private-sector involvement, and geopolitical ambitions to gain traction in this expanding domain, highlighting the efforts of both established and emerging players.
United States Leadership
Emerging Global Players
France's Trade Leadership
The Space Economy Key Points
Regional Focus
Future Outlook
The next decade will define the space economy’s trajectory, emphasizing:
The U.S. remains the dominant force, but global competition is intensifying. As nations and private entities push boundaries, the space economy is poised for transformative growth, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Collaboration and innovation will be essential to harness the sector’s full potential.
Looking for more insights and resources to learn about commercial, government, and academic space entities? The Space Impulse Market Intelligence Platform has captured data on the space tech industry's key companies, investors, universities and government organizations.
Space Industry Quote of the Week 🗣
"Governments are increasingly moving away from government-owned, developed physical hardware and moving towards procurement of [commercial] services...giving governments access to capability on a timeline and a cost that otherwise would just not be possible."
- Mina Mitry , Co-founder and CEO of Kepler Communications Inc. , discussing the global shift in government procurement strategies in the space tech industry.
Weekly Space News Roundup 🌌
Rocket Lab has secured a $23.9 million award from the U.S. Department of Commerce to expand its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This funding, part of the CHIPS and Science Act, is aimed at bolstering U.S. leadership in semiconductor production, especially for applications critical to national security and the commercial space sector.
Rocket Lab stands as one of only two U.S.-based companies capable of producing the high-efficiency, radiation-hardened solar cells needed for space exploration and defense.
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Airbus a contract to deliver advanced modems for its Skynet satellite communications constellation. The new modems will replace the Paradigm Modem System currently supporting the Skynet 5 satellites and will also integrate with the upcoming Skynet 6A satellite.
Set for deployment in 2026, the FPM-A modem will include an intuitive Network Management System to optimize spectrum use and ensure seamless monitoring and control. This capability will be backed by integrated logistics support and training solutions.
Atomic-6 has been awarded $3.8 million through a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) to further develop its Space Armor™ shielding tiles, an advanced solution to protect space assets from orbital debris and kinetic energy threats. The $3.8 million TACFI award, supplemented by matching funds from external investors, enables Atomic-6 to transition Space Armor™ from a prototype to a scalable product line. The company plans to introduce additional variations and capabilities to address evolving customer and industry needs.
Slingshot Aerospace has been awarded a $13.3 million contract by NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration ’s Office of Space Commerce to develop the user interface for TraCSS, the United States’ next-generation space safety platform. The contract encompasses a 12-month development phase valued at $5.3 million, with provisions for four additional option years.
Slingshot Aerospace will build the Presentation Layer on top of NOAA’s infrastructure, with support from partners COMSPOC and T and T Consulting Services, Inc. . The interface will integrate with Slingshot’s Beacon software, providing users with access to conjunction data and decision-making tools.
SpaceX ’s Starlink, direct-to-cell satellite technology is moving closer to commercial rollout, following the Federal Communications Commission ’s approval for broader operations. The company projects that it will offer text messaging via satellite this year, with voice, data, and internet-of-things capabilities by 2025.
The FCC approval comes with conditions, requiring SpaceX to collaborate with other satellite operators and astronomical organizations to prevent interference with existing systems. Efforts include working with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory to reduce potential disruptions to ground-based astronomy.
Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) has partnered with Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency to advance research in space sustainability. This initiative, unveiled at the 2024 International Forum on Non-Terrestrial Networks, focuses on the sustainable management of orbital resources and the integration of advanced technologies for space data analysis.
This effort aligns with CSTC’s broader strategy to strengthen international partnerships and leverage its expertise in communications, space, and technology.
SatVu has raised £20 million in funding to advance its HotSat satellite constellation. The investment includes a £10 million equity round led by Adara Ventures and Molten Ventures , alongside an insurance payout. This marks the inaugural investment from Adara’s newly launched Energy Fund, aimed at supporting technologies driving Europe’s energy transition.
With the new funding, SatVu plans to accelerate the production and deployment of HotSat-2 and HotSat-3, slated for launch in 2025.
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