Aerospace – CB Insights Research https://www.cbinsights.com/research Thu, 23 Mar 2023 20:38:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Analyzing SpaceX’s growth strategy: How the space leader is reshaping space exploration, telecom, national security, and beyond https://www.cbinsights.com/research/spacex-strategy-map-investments-partnerships-acquisitions/ Thu, 23 Mar 2023 20:38:18 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=156462 The aerospace industry is at an inflection point. Gone are the days when governments were the only players involved in space exploration. In the last decade, private companies like Elon Musk-led SpaceX have driven dramatic declines in launch costs, fueling …

The post Analyzing SpaceX’s growth strategy: How the space leader is reshaping space exploration, telecom, national security, and beyond appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
The aerospace industry is at an inflection point.

Gone are the days when governments were the only players involved in space exploration. In the last decade, private companies like Elon Musk-led SpaceX have driven dramatic declines in launch costs, fueling an explosion of activity: 2022 saw a record 180 rockets launch into orbit, with 61 coming from SpaceX.

Innovation and cost reduction in space tech have also unleashed new opportunities on Earth, from expanding internet access to redefining military operations. Competition is heating up, not only between aerospace players, but also from non-traditional players like Amazon, which recently got the green light from the FCC for its Project Kuiper satellite constellation.

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post Analyzing SpaceX’s growth strategy: How the space leader is reshaping space exploration, telecom, national security, and beyond appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Analyzing Stanley Black & Decker’s growth strategy: How the industrial giant is digitizing the job site of the future https://www.cbinsights.com/research/stanley-black-decker-strategy-map-investments-partnerships-acquisitions/ Fri, 03 Mar 2023 15:23:51 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=155038 Founded in 1843, Stanley Black & Decker is one of the largest industrial and residential tooling manufacturers in the world, with a brand portfolio including leading companies like Craftsman, DEWALT, and Cub Cadet. After decades of expanding into new verticals …

The post Analyzing Stanley Black & Decker’s growth strategy: How the industrial giant is digitizing the job site of the future appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Founded in 1843, Stanley Black & Decker is one of the largest industrial and residential tooling manufacturers in the world, with a brand portfolio including leading companies like Craftsman, DEWALT, and Cub Cadet.

11 Tech Trends To Watch Closely in 2023

Get the free report to see the top tech trends poised to reshape industries in 2023.

After decades of expanding into new verticals like security and healthcare, the company has recently divested of those spaces and is returning its focus to its core businesses of handheld tools and power equipment. Stanley Black & Decker is aggressively acquiring companies and investing billions of dollars in these areas with an industrial focus, helping reduce its exposure to the consumer market.

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post Analyzing Stanley Black & Decker’s growth strategy: How the industrial giant is digitizing the job site of the future appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Dedrone Raises For Its Drone Defense Technology — Competitors Include DroneShield And Senhive https://www.cbinsights.com/research/dedrone-series-e-funding/ Tue, 21 Dec 2021 23:19:48 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=134993 Dedrone, a drone defense company, has raised $30.5M in a Series E round that drew participation from AQTON, Target Partners, Felicis, Axon, and TempoCap, among others. HOW’S THE COMPANY PERFORMING? California-based Dedrone utilizes AI/ML technologies and sensors to detect, identify, …

The post Dedrone Raises For Its Drone Defense Technology — Competitors Include DroneShield And Senhive appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Dedrone, a drone defense company, has raised $30.5M in a Series E round that drew participation from AQTON, Target Partners, Felicis, Axon, and TempoCap, among others.

HOW’S THE COMPANY PERFORMING?

  • California-based Dedrone utilizes AI/ML technologies and sensors to detect, identify, and locate drones.
  • It is capable of detecting drones from 65+ manufacturers as well as homemade drones without decoding telemetry data.
  • Its technology is used by over 65 critical infrastructure sites, 10 Fortune 500 companies, 20 airports, and 50 correctional centers across 33 countries. The US Department of Defense, NASCAR Cup Series with Threat Management Group, Newcastle International Airport, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, and Consolidated Edison are included among its client base.
  • This year, it has sold over 1,000 sensors and detected more than 200 varied drone types.
  • The company maintains offices in the US, England, and Germany.

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post Dedrone Raises For Its Drone Defense Technology — Competitors Include DroneShield And Senhive appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
SpaceX Acquired This Nano Satellite Startup Enabling Low-Cost Internet Connectivity https://www.cbinsights.com/research/spacex-acquires-swarm-technologies/ Wed, 11 Aug 2021 21:41:55 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=128375 SpaceX, an advanced rocket and spacecraft manufacturer, has acquired Swarm Technologies, a satellite connectivity startup, for an undisclosed amount. Who are the parties to the deal? Swarm Technologies: California-based Swarm Technologies is a nano satellite manufacturer that offers connectivity services for …

The post SpaceX Acquired This Nano Satellite Startup Enabling Low-Cost Internet Connectivity appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
SpaceX, an advanced rocket and spacecraft manufacturer, has acquired Swarm Technologies, a satellite connectivity startup, for an undisclosed amount.

Who are the parties to the deal?

  • Swarm Technologies: California-based Swarm Technologies is a nano satellite manufacturer that offers connectivity services for IoT and M2M devices in remote areas. It caters to a wide range of customers in the agriculture, maritime, energy, transportation, and environmental sectors. The company already has 120 sandwich-sized satellites of the planned 150 in orbit. As of March 2021, it has a team of 30 people.
  • SpaceX: California-based SpaceX is an aerospace and satellite company that manufactures and launches large space equipment, such as broadband satellites, space stations, rockets, and spacecrafts. With more than 1,700 of its initial collection of 4,409 satellites already in low-Earth orbit, the company currently caters to nearly 100,000 beta users. SpaceX has raised $6.54B in total funding and employs nearly 10,000 people.

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post SpaceX Acquired This Nano Satellite Startup Enabling Low-Cost Internet Connectivity appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Unbundling Dupont: How The Traditional Chemicals Manufacturer Is Being Disrupted https://www.cbinsights.com/research/companies-unbundling-chemical-industry/ Mon, 12 Jul 2021 14:50:23 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=126101 With 2020 revenues of $20.4B, DuPont — one of the world’s largest and most powerful chemical conglomerates — has supplied the materials making up a variety of goods in consumers’ everyday lives. From providing materials used to make the semiconductors …

The post Unbundling Dupont: How The Traditional Chemicals Manufacturer Is Being Disrupted appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
With 2020 revenues of $20.4B, DuPont — one of the world’s largest and most powerful chemical conglomerates — has supplied the materials making up a variety of goods in consumers’ everyday lives.

From providing materials used to make the semiconductors in electronics to the Styrofoam insulating homes, the chemical giant has long dominated the market.

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post Unbundling Dupont: How The Traditional Chemicals Manufacturer Is Being Disrupted appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
From Energy To Transport To Healthcare, Here Are 8 Industries Being Disrupted By Elon Musk And His Companies https://www.cbinsights.com/research/report/elon-musk-companies-disruption/ Mon, 26 Apr 2021 18:40:44 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?post_type=report&p=30697 Elon Musk thinks and acts on a larger, more cosmic scale than we’re accustomed to from entrepreneurs. Musk has become a household name synonymous with the future. Whether he’s working on electric vehicles (Tesla) or sending rockets into space (SpaceX), …

The post From Energy To Transport To Healthcare, Here Are 8 Industries Being Disrupted By Elon Musk And His Companies appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Elon Musk thinks and acts on a larger, more cosmic scale than we’re accustomed to from entrepreneurs. Musk has become a household name synonymous with the future.

Whether he’s working on electric vehicles (Tesla) or sending rockets into space (SpaceX), his larger-than-life reputation attracts its fair share of attention — and scrutiny.

Elon Musk is the CEO, founder, inventor, or adviser for some of the world’s most-hyped companies, including:

His main projects take on almost every major industry and global problem conceivable, and imagine a disruptive fundamental rewiring of that space or sector.

8 Industries Disrupted by Elon Musk and His Companies

Get the free report to see how Musk’s companies — from Tesla to OpenAI to SpaceX — are taking on nearly every major industry.

In this report, we take a look at the state of his companies and how they are — or aren’t — transforming the industries in which they operate:

  1. Automotive: We take a look at Tesla’s rocky history and how Musk has propelled it to become the most highly-valued carmaker in the world.
  2. Aerospace: Find out how SpaceX plans to build a “freeway” to Mars by reducing the cost of flying a spaceship to a fraction of what it is today, and to harness rocket technology for earth travel as well.
  3. Telecommunications: Musk’s work in space could revolutionize how we get online, and provide fast, affordable internet for those without access.
  4. Energy: According to a utilities lobbying group, Musk’s efforts with Tesla and SolarCity could “lay waste to US power utilities and burn the utility business model.”
  5. Transportation: We analyze the Hyperloop, Musk’s proposed “fifth mode of transportation” that’s a “cross between a Concorde and an air hockey table,” and the progress that’s been made.
  6. Infrastructure/Tunneling: We look at how Musk’s business, called The Boring Company, is trying to cut costs in the notoriously expensive tunneling industry, where a mile of tunnel can cost $1B to dig and each additional inch in diameter costs millions more.
  7. AI: We investigate why Musk, who is certain that the race for AI superiority will be the “most likely cause” of WWIII, has invested so much into building better AI.
  8. Healthcare: We dig into the high-bandwidth, minimally invasive brain machine interfaces that Neuralink is developing to create futuristic humans.

Elon Musk's companies are creating innovation in many industries

The post From Energy To Transport To Healthcare, Here Are 8 Industries Being Disrupted By Elon Musk And His Companies appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Airbus Ventures-Backed Universal Hydrogen Raises $20.5M To Help Decarbonize Aviation https://www.cbinsights.com/research/universal-hydrogen-series-a-funding/ Fri, 23 Apr 2021 18:20:02 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=120932 Universal Hydrogen, which is developing modular lightweight hydrogen capsules for hydrogen-powered aircraft, has raised $20.5M in Series A funding. The round was led by Playground Global and joined by Airbus Ventures, Fortescue Future Industries, Coatue, among others. HOW’S THE COMPANY …

The post Airbus Ventures-Backed Universal Hydrogen Raises $20.5M To Help Decarbonize Aviation appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Universal Hydrogen, which is developing modular lightweight hydrogen capsules for hydrogen-powered aircraft, has raised $20.5M in Series A funding. The round was led by Playground Global and joined by Airbus Ventures, Fortescue Future Industries, Coatue, among others.

HOW’S THE COMPANY PERFORMING?

  • Los Angeles-based Universal Hydrogen, founded in 2020 by former Airbus CTO Paul Eremenko, aims to develop hydrogen conversion kits and fuel storage solutions for commercial flights. The company is transforming fuel distribution by making modular hydrogen capsules, which can be transported through existing freight networks, eliminating the use of fuel trucks, expensive pipelines, and storage units.
  • Universal Hydrogen has partnered with Plug Power for its expertise in fuel cell stack technology and magniX to leverage its electric propulsion system in developing a retrofittable fuel cell to develop a hydrogen-electric aircraft.

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post Airbus Ventures-Backed Universal Hydrogen Raises $20.5M To Help Decarbonize Aviation appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
The Cutting-Edge Tech Shaping Sustainability In Aerospace https://www.cbinsights.com/research/artificial-intelligence-quantum-computing-sustainability-aerospace/ Tue, 26 Jan 2021 15:29:24 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=114618 Cutting-edge tech is modernizing the aerospace industry, making it more efficient and sustainable. Artificial intelligence applications in the space, especially for route optimization, have gained momentum in recent years, helping long-haul commercial airlines reduce fuel consumption. Meanwhile, quantum computing is …

The post The Cutting-Edge Tech Shaping Sustainability In Aerospace appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Cutting-edge tech is modernizing the aerospace industry, making it more efficient and sustainable.

Artificial intelligence applications in the space, especially for route optimization, have gained momentum in recent years, helping long-haul commercial airlines reduce fuel consumption. Meanwhile, quantum computing is expected to solve the computing constraints of existing AI applications and lead to new breakthroughs in flight design.

Both technologies are stimulating partnerships, investments, and vendor relationships in the aerospace industry. Below, we highlight areas within aerospace that are benefiting from the implementation of AI and quantum computing.

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post The Cutting-Edge Tech Shaping Sustainability In Aerospace appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Airlines Are Turning To Emerging Tech To Help Cut Emissions https://www.cbinsights.com/research/airlines-renewable-tech-emissions/ Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:19:32 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=115989 The aerospace industry is moving to lower its carbon emissions. Delta, for instance, has committed $1B to sustainability programs like carbon offsets and more fuel-efficient planes. In 2018, United Airlines said that it wanted to become carbon neutral by 2050, …

The post Airlines Are Turning To Emerging Tech To Help Cut Emissions appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
The aerospace industry is moving to lower its carbon emissions.

Delta, for instance, has committed $1B to sustainability programs like carbon offsets and more fuel-efficient planes. In 2018, United Airlines said that it wanted to become carbon neutral by 2050, IAG set the same goal not long after.

Webinar DOWNLOAD: The future of transportation

Download slides for an overview of the emerging trends and developments in the mobility space in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post Airlines Are Turning To Emerging Tech To Help Cut Emissions appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
How Predictive Maintenance Tech Could Save Airlines Time And Money https://www.cbinsights.com/research/predictive-maintenance-technology-aerospace/ Mon, 21 Dec 2020 14:00:32 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=114889 Advanced analytics and predictive maintenance software have emerged as important tools for airlines to cut costs and run on time. For airlines operating in the Covid-19 era, this is more important than ever. With fewer flights and passenger health at …

The post How Predictive Maintenance Tech Could Save Airlines Time And Money appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Advanced analytics and predictive maintenance software have emerged as important tools for airlines to cut costs and run on time.

For airlines operating in the Covid-19 era, this is more important than ever. With fewer flights and passenger health at stake, sitting on the tarmac now has an outsized impact on both the bottom line and on customer trust.

GET the enterprise AI TRENDS report

Download the free report to learn about the biggest emerging trends in AI and strategies to watch for 2021.

hbspt.forms.create({
onFormReady: function ($form) {
window.ClearbitForHubspot.addForm($form);
},
region: “na1”,
portalId: “763793”,
formId: “d9aae1c5-7ed4-4591-a77a-5be6e12cbee4”
});

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post How Predictive Maintenance Tech Could Save Airlines Time And Money appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
How 3D Printing Could Transform Aerospace Manufacturing https://www.cbinsights.com/research/3d-printing-aerospace-manufacturing/ Tue, 08 Dec 2020 21:18:56 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=113893 3D printing is gaining traction in the aerospace industry. Despite long regulatory timelines and setbacks from the pandemic, interest in the technique continues to grow as OEMs look to cut maintenance costs, leverage design software, and employ advanced materials. 3D …

The post How 3D Printing Could Transform Aerospace Manufacturing appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
3D printing is gaining traction in the aerospace industry.

Despite long regulatory timelines and setbacks from the pandemic, interest in the technique continues to grow as OEMs look to cut maintenance costs, leverage design software, and employ advanced materials.

3D printing — or additive manufacturing — tech can also improve fuel efficiency by producing lighter parts. For example, in September, the FAA approved GE’s turbine engine for Boeing, which features over 300 printed components and is reportedly 20% more fuel efficient than earlier models. 

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post How 3D Printing Could Transform Aerospace Manufacturing appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Here’s Where The Top Investors In Airline Operations Tech Are Placing Their Bets https://www.cbinsights.com/research/top-investors-airline-operations-tech/ Thu, 15 Oct 2020 17:32:17 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=112279 Airlines are facing increasing pressure to make operations more efficient. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, passenger numbers have plummeted to just a fraction of what they were in 2019 — cutting deeply into revenues. Efficiency was top-of-mind for airline executives even …

The post Here’s Where The Top Investors In Airline Operations Tech Are Placing Their Bets appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Airlines are facing increasing pressure to make operations more efficient.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, passenger numbers have plummeted to just a fraction of what they were in 2019 — cutting deeply into revenues.

DOWNLOAD THE STATE OF CVC 2022 REPORT

Get the latest data on global corporate venture capital, from funding trends to the most active CVC investors.

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post Here’s Where The Top Investors In Airline Operations Tech Are Placing Their Bets appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
6 Ways AI Is Transforming The Aerospace & Defense Industry https://www.cbinsights.com/research/artificial-intelligence-aerospace-defense/ Wed, 30 Sep 2020 19:07:36 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=111145 In the aerospace and defense industry, supporting software has to make quick decisions in high-risk scenarios. Artificial intelligence is becoming integral to the $8.7T space as companies and government agencies explore using technologies from robotics and autonomous systems to cybersecurity …

The post 6 Ways AI Is Transforming The Aerospace & Defense Industry appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
In the aerospace and defense industry, supporting software has to make quick decisions in high-risk scenarios. Artificial intelligence is becoming integral to the $8.7T space as companies and government agencies explore using technologies from robotics and autonomous systems to cybersecurity and telecommunication for national security.

GET the enterprise AI TRENDS report

Download the free report to learn about the biggest emerging trends in AI and strategies to watch for 2021.

hbspt.forms.create({
onFormReady: function ($form) {
window.ClearbitForHubspot.addForm($form);
},
region: “na1”,
portalId: “763793”,
formId: “d9aae1c5-7ed4-4591-a77a-5be6e12cbee4”
});

In recent years, major defense contractors such as Raytheon, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman have all announced AI-based research initiatives and product launches. Similarly, companies such as Lockheed Martin, Airbus, and Boeing have made investments in AI startups through their venture arms. 

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post 6 Ways AI Is Transforming The Aerospace & Defense Industry appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
What College Students Taught Us About Predicting Future Tech Trends https://www.cbinsights.com/research/cb-insights-internship-emerging-tech-trends/ https://www.cbinsights.com/research/cb-insights-internship-emerging-tech-trends/#respond Mon, 21 Oct 2019 13:00:35 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=12742 The CB Insights Intelligence Unit welcomed three interns for a recent 10-week internship — Amanda DiTrolio, Sam Evarts, and Caroline Leng — to identify and analyze emerging technology trends across financial services, healthcare, consumer packaged goods, and other industries. Pursuing …

The post What College Students Taught Us About Predicting Future Tech Trends appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
The CB Insights Intelligence Unit welcomed three interns for a recent 10-week internship — Amanda DiTrolio, Sam Evarts, and Caroline Leng — to identify and analyze emerging technology trends across financial services, healthcare, consumer packaged goods, and other industries.

Pursuing degrees in everything from chemical engineering to economics to data analytics at NYU, UPenn, and Denison University, the trio used problem-solving techniques and their passion for technology to predict the next big trends of tomorrow.

For their final presentation, the team leveraged CB Insights’ funding and investor data, media trackers, patents database, and startup momentum algorithms to dive into trends including:

  • Optical computing – Computer engineers move past electrons and use photons to create the next era of commercial computing.
  • Neuromorphic computing – Researchers look to replace traditional Boolean logic with functions that sense and perceive information like the human brain.
  • DNA data storage – With the amount of annual data produced expected to quadruple by 2025, scientists turn to DNA for storing large sums of data.
  • Optogenetics – Our understanding of the brain is limited, but optogenetics provides a greater understanding of the organ and its activity.
  • Aircraft innovation – Large aviation companies manufacture electric aircraft and leverage quantum computing to make flight more sustainable.
  • Second-life battery tech – Startups and universities explore ways to recycle and extend battery lifespan to power the future.

DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION

Download the presentation on The Future of Frontier Tech According to CB Insights Summer Interns, put together by CB Insights Summer 2019 Amanda DiTrolio, Sam Evarts and Caroline Leng.

Check out last Year’s intern presentation:

The CB Insights Intelligence Unit welcomed two interns last summer – Chris Lin and Shriya Iyer – whose final presentation involved using the CB Insights platform to identify and analyze early-stage trends in high-growth sectors.

Shriya and Chris are both part of the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology at UPenn, a dual degree program that gives students the chance to earn concurrent degrees in business and engineering.

For their final presentation, the duo leveraged CB Insights’ funding and investor data, media trackers, patents database, and startup momentum algorithms to dive into trends including:

  • Space drones for planetary exploration, defense, and more
  • Pulsar-based navigation for the future of deep space exploration
  • The future of sensors: paint-based and biological ambient sensor technology
  • Mobile health computer vision diagnostics for personalized care
  • The new internet focused on user anonymity, distributed data storage, and hyper-efficient digital transactions

DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION

Download the presentation on Emerging Technology Trends, put together by CB Insights Summer 2018 interns, Christopher Lin and Shriya Iyer.

We’ve embedded the full deck below, which not only dives into all these trends and more, but also highlights some of the tools available on the CB Insights platform.

If you enjoyed the presentation, you may also be interested in some of the published briefs written by our summer 2018 interns, such as Chris’ analysis of AI in the gaming industry, or Shriya’s deep-dive into the growing cannabis industry.  

Check out the intern presentation from 2017:

The CB Insights research team welcomed three interns in 2017 — Kristen Tilley, Jimmy Xue, and Alyce Ge — who used the CB Insights platform to uncover and analyze early-stage trends in hot sectors.

Kristen and Jimmy are both part of the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology at UPenn, a dual degree program that gives students the chance to earn concurrent degrees in business and in engineering. Alyce is majoring in applied mathematics at Columbia Engineering, and previously took time off from her studies to work full time in business development at Lucid Motors and in venture capital with Autotech Ventures.

The team leveraged CB Insights’ funding and investor data, media trackers, patents database, and startup momentum algorithms to dive into trends including:

  • Startups using blockchain to reduce fraud in real estate and expedite transfer of real estate ownership
  • The rise of fully automated convenience stores in China
  • Shipping giants and military agencies backing underwater drone startups
  • Startups helping CPG brands increase supply chain transparency with blockchain
  • Virtual reality showing promise in mental health treatments

DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION

Download the full presentation on Emerging Technology Trends, put together by CB Insights Summer 2017 interns, Alyce Ge, Kristen Tilley, and Jimmy Xue.

Interested in learning more or joining the team? Learn more about our platform here and check out our current job openings here.

The post What College Students Taught Us About Predicting Future Tech Trends appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/cb-insights-internship-emerging-tech-trends/feed/ 0
Boeing’s Corporate Venture Arm Set To Outstrip Rival Airbus https://www.cbinsights.com/research/boeing-airbus-aerospace-corporate-venture-capital-investment-expert-intelligence/ https://www.cbinsights.com/research/boeing-airbus-aerospace-corporate-venture-capital-investment-expert-intelligence/#respond Thu, 23 May 2019 14:53:32 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=74941 Over the past 3 years, Boeing has built a corporate venture capital investment portfolio that is now nearly the size of rival aircraft OEM Airbus — historically a more active VC investor. Aerospace corporate investment has largely flown under the …

The post Boeing’s Corporate Venture Arm Set To Outstrip Rival Airbus appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>

get the 51-page GLOBAL Corporate Venture Capital report

Download the free report detailing global CVC investment trends, active CVCs, and much more.

Want the full expert post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post Boeing’s Corporate Venture Arm Set To Outstrip Rival Airbus appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/boeing-airbus-aerospace-corporate-venture-capital-investment-expert-intelligence/feed/ 0
Amazon Plans A Satellite-Based Global Internet Service. Here’s How It’s Heating Up The Internet Space Race https://www.cbinsights.com/research/amazon-satellite-internet-service/ https://www.cbinsights.com/research/amazon-satellite-internet-service/#respond Mon, 15 Apr 2019 17:02:41 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=73412 Last month, Amazon filed paperwork with the International Telecommunications Union for permission to put a constellation of 3,236 satellites in space, code named Project Kuiper. 3 big takeaways: Amazon wants to deliver the internet. Connecting ~ 4 billion people around the world …

The post Amazon Plans A Satellite-Based Global Internet Service. Here’s How It’s Heating Up The Internet Space Race appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>

GET the 42-page Enterprise it TRENDS report

Download the free report to learn about the biggest emerging trends in enterprise IT, including advances in internet and telecommunications.

Last month, Amazon filed paperwork with the International Telecommunications Union for permission to put a constellation of 3,236 satellites in space, code named Project Kuiper.

3 big takeaways:

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post Amazon Plans A Satellite-Based Global Internet Service. Here’s How It’s Heating Up The Internet Space Race appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/amazon-satellite-internet-service/feed/ 0
5 Trends Shaping Space Tech In 2019 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/space-tech-trends/ https://www.cbinsights.com/research/space-tech-trends/#respond Wed, 07 Nov 2018 18:17:10 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=61981 The private space industry and its investors are witnessing a number of developments. For example, Space X — Elon Musk’s company which designs, manufactures, and launches rockets & spacecrafts — has completed multiple successful projects, including launching and landing a used rocket into …

The post 5 Trends Shaping Space Tech In 2019 appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
The private space industry and its investors are witnessing a number of developments.

For example, Space X — Elon Musk’s company which designs, manufactures, and launches rockets & spacecrafts — has completed multiple successful projects, including launching and landing a used rocket into space in 2017.

As one of the most valuable private companies in the world, the company has helped drive the industry forward, especially with its $1B Series F mega-round in 2015.

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post 5 Trends Shaping Space Tech In 2019 appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/space-tech-trends/feed/ 0
Mach 5 And Beyond: Aerospace Companies Are Making Hypersonic Aircraft A Priority https://www.cbinsights.com/research/hypersonic-tech-patents-earnings-calls/ https://www.cbinsights.com/research/hypersonic-tech-patents-earnings-calls/#respond Thu, 29 Mar 2018 16:29:34 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=37277 Speed is paramount in the aerospace industry, and developing ever-faster jets at supersonic and now hypersonic speeds (Mach 5 – 10) is the vanguard of aeronautics engineering. For defense contractors, the area is of particular interest because missiles like ICBMs and hypersonic …

The post Mach 5 And Beyond: Aerospace Companies Are Making Hypersonic Aircraft A Priority appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Speed is paramount in the aerospace industry, and developing ever-faster jets at supersonic and now hypersonic speeds (Mach 5 – 10) is the vanguard of aeronautics engineering.

For defense contractors, the area is of particular interest because missiles like ICBMs and hypersonic aircraft are undetectable by the best radar. Consequently, an arms race is heating up to develop hypersonic aircraft and missiles, as well as anti-hypersonic tracking.

Want the full post? Become a CB Insights customer.

If you’re already a customer, log in here.

The post Mach 5 And Beyond: Aerospace Companies Are Making Hypersonic Aircraft A Priority appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/hypersonic-tech-patents-earnings-calls/feed/ 0
Fly Me To The Moon: The State Of Space Travel https://www.cbinsights.com/research/space-travel/ https://www.cbinsights.com/research/space-travel/#respond Thu, 15 Feb 2018 19:19:18 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=33077 Could we be only months away from mass tourism in space? While delays are the norm for the nascent space travel industry, the race to send tourists into space is definitely accelerating. For now, space tourism seems accessible only to the extremely …

The post Fly Me To The Moon: The State Of Space Travel appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Could we be only months away from mass tourism in space? While delays are the norm for the nascent space travel industry, the race to send tourists into space is definitely accelerating.

For now, space tourism seems accessible only to the extremely wealthy; but companies are already trying to bring space travel down to Earth via VR and near-space travel opportunities. As the industry expands, it could represent a big opportunity for travel companies.

In 2001, Dennis Tito became the first space tourist, paying $20M to Space Adventures for his trip. He was followed by 6 other space tourists, all of whom paid between $20M and $40M.

Since then, a number of private companies have been working toward making space travel cheaper: Virgin Galactic pre-sold $250K tickets — some over a decade ago — for a suborbital flight that has still yet to launch.

Now, after receiving a $1B investment from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia in Oct’17, Virgin Galactic says it may start those commercial space flights by the end of 2018.

More recently in Feb’18, SpaceX launched a Tesla into space using an heavy-lift rocket, which it says could eventually help launch crews into space. This would be the company’s first step to space tourism

Billionaires are playing a big role in making space tourism more affordable: Richard Branson launched Virgin Galactic, Elon Musk founded SpaceX, and Jeff Bezos has been selling shares in Amazon to fund Blue Origin.

If these high-profile founders are successful in making space tourism more affordable — and safe — it could be the start of a multi-billion dollar industry.

While the activities & touring industry is likely to see the greatest impact from a growing space tourism industry, airlines may also jump into the mix. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have already invested in space tech startups.

How is Tech Disrupting the Travel Industry?

From new booking engines to events/activities to person-to-person platforms like Airbnb, there is innovation all over in travel. And no one is safe. Download the briefing to see the startups disrupting the industry.

As we may only be a few months away from the first commercial space flight, we analyzed the current state of the space travel industry from astronaut bootcamps to spaceships and trips to the moon.

Click to enlarge.

Near-space & below experiences

While weekend getaways to the moon are not yet available on Expedia, some startups are already offering space travel experiences right here on the ground.

To give aspiring space tourists a first taste of what being in space might look like, SpaceVR wants to use virtual reality. The startup has raised $1.4M to equip a small satellite with virtual reality cameras to record views from the space. The footage will then be available on VR headsets, giving people a chance to see through the eyes of an astronaut. SpaceVR has yet to confirm a launch date for the satellite.

For those with bigger ambitions for space flight, Finland-based startup Space Nation offers an astronaut training program. The program consists of 3 phases: mobile app basic training, real-life bootcamp for physical training with experienced astronauts, and finally a trip to space for those who perform best during bootcamp. Space Nation plans to launch its program in early 2018.

Balloons are also being used to make near-space experiences possible. (“Near-space” refers to traveling up 30 to 40km in altitude.) US startup World View and Spanish company Zero2Infinity are using helium-inflated balloons to elevate pods, such as the one on the left, to near-space altitude. Tourists will not need any specific training to get into these pods, but will have to pay between $75K (for early birds) and $135K for a single trip.

Suborbital flights

Suborbital flights aim to provide space views and weightless, zero-gravity experiences at an altitude above 100km. Both Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic are competing at this altitude.

Blue Origin expects to start sending tourists to space in 2019. The company has built a reusable rocket, similar to SpaceX, with a capsule on top for up to 6 people. This capsule would detach from the rocket at a suborbital altitude.

Once above 100km, passengers in the Blue Origin capsule will be able to experience zero gravity, floating around the capsule freely, while enjoying views from windows 3x as big as in an airplane. The capsule would then land back on Earth with a parachute, as shown below.

Its competitor Virgin Galactic has already raised $1.4B and sold 700 tickets for suborbital flights at $250K each. The company has used this funding to build a spaceship that can carry up to 6 passengers and 2 pilots, and fly back to its original location after spending some time in space.

Similar to Blue Origin, passengers will be able to float freely in the ship during their time at 100km+ of altitude. After several years of delay, Virgin Galactic now plans to launch its first commercial flights by the end of 2018.

Orbital TRIP & beyond

Both near-space and suborbital experiences represent a major step in space travel, but Elon Musk’s SpaceX wants to go further and fly 2 tourists around the moon this year. This is expected to be an important step for SpaceX, as it plans to send a crew to Mars by 2024.

In Feb’17, SpaceX announced that it had received a significant deposit from 2 aspiring space tourists to fly them around the moon. The original plan was to use the Falcon Heavy, SpaceX’s heavy-lift rocket that successfully launched a Tesla into space in Feb’18. However, Elon Musk announced earlier this month that the Big Falcon Rocket (BFR) — a larger rocket — would be used for launch instead, delaying the mission.

The BFR is still in development, but SpaceX intends to use it for the company’s Mars mission as it will be able to transport payloads heavier than any other rocket. The BFR will be reusable like other SpaceX rockets, which will make it cheaper to launch.

More recently, the company has suggested using the BFR to fly passengers from one city to another. A trip from New York to London would take less than 30 minutes — compared to the current 6-hour airplane flight — while providing passengers with a space travel experience. While this might be appealing, the idea raises a number of questions around cost, infrastructure requirements, and safety, so we don’t expect BFRs to replace 767s anytime soon.

The post Fly Me To The Moon: The State Of Space Travel appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/space-travel/feed/ 0
Tim Ellis Of Relativity Space Says 3D Printing Is Key To Build Rockets At Scale & Support A Mars Colony https://www.cbinsights.com/research/space-tech-tim-ellis-aha/ https://www.cbinsights.com/research/space-tech-tim-ellis-aha/#respond Fri, 15 Dec 2017 21:43:28 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=27213 Tim Ellis, CEO of 3D printing startup Relativity Space, believes 3D-printed rockets are the future of space tech. Ellis also believes Relativity will play a crucial role in ultimately supporting life on Mars. His vision: use industrial 3D printers to build better rockets, in …

The post Tim Ellis Of Relativity Space Says 3D Printing Is Key To Build Rockets At Scale & Support A Mars Colony appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Tim Ellis, CEO of 3D printing startup Relativity Space, believes 3D-printed rockets are the future of space tech.

Ellis also believes Relativity will play a crucial role in ultimately supporting life on Mars. His vision: use industrial 3D printers to build better rockets, in under 60 days, at 10% of the standard cost, and with 0 human labor needed.

Fresh out of stealth mode, Relativity Space, one of CB Insights’ 2018 Game Changers, released a video of a test run of Aeon 1, its first 3D printed rocket engine, earlier this month. At the A-Ha! Conference on December 12th in San Francisco, Ellis spoke with Dana Hull of Bloomberg and confirmed that Aeon 1 had achieved another milestone as well: successfully completing its 81st test fire at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

Ellis also reported that the company has approximately $1B in Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at various stages.

Get the full Game Changing Startups of 2019 report

We’ll uncover and define the most bleeding-edge trends taking shape across the technology industry.

Ellis and his co-founder Jordan Noone started Relativity Space in 2015. Both came from jobs at high-profile space tech companies: Ellis had been working at Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, while Noone came from Elon Musk’s SpaceX .

Reflecting on their experiences at these organizations, the duo concluded that Blue Origin and SpaceX relied too heavily on human capital — and that by leveraging 3D printing, Relativity could fully automate rocket building.

With the subject line “making space sexy with 3D,” the pair cold-emailed angel investor Mark Cuban and secured the company’s first Seed investment. Relativity Space also raised an additional $8.4M in Seed funding in Q3’16 from Social Capital and Y Combinator, among others.

Track the space tech companies in this brief and many more on our platform

Startups working on the new frontier have the potential to disrupt a number of verticals, ranging from precious metals to telecommunication. Look for Space Tech in the Collections tab.

Track Space Tech

At the A-ha! Conference, Ellis noted that it was exciting to see the proliferation of space tech startups gaining traction with investors (CB Insights previously mapped out 55+ of these companies), while also reiterating the importance of the government partnering with these startups to lower infrastructure costs.

This week has seen renewed government emphasis on space exploration, with President Trump directing NASA to return to the moon. Ellis, however, has a bigger vision, explaining:

I’m more in the Mars camp, personally. It’s true that if you’re building a city that’s self-sustaining, Mars has the best conditions to do that.

About the next big inspirational space movement, he said, “I’ve seen this disproportionate interest in flying people, so I think Elon Musk’s Falcon Heavy is probably the biggest one, in the near term.”

Ellis also noted that Relativity is aligned with SpaceX in its mission to build a society on Mars, highlighting that 3D printing technology will be critical to scale a space colony.

The post Tim Ellis Of Relativity Space Says 3D Printing Is Key To Build Rockets At Scale & Support A Mars Colony appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/space-tech-tim-ellis-aha/feed/ 0
7 Small-Satellite Startups Bringing Space Down To Earth https://www.cbinsights.com/research/small-satellite-startups/ https://www.cbinsights.com/research/small-satellite-startups/#respond Tue, 28 Nov 2017 20:55:08 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=24347 Just ten years ago, it cost millions of dollars (up to $1B) to build a satellite and launch it into outer space – limiting the market for “sats” largely to high-tech companies and government entities. But thanks to the rapid …

The post 7 Small-Satellite Startups Bringing Space Down To Earth appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
A nanosatellite built by Planet Labs.

Just ten years ago, it cost millions of dollars (up to $1B) to build a satellite and launch it into outer space – limiting the market for “sats” largely to high-tech companies and government entities.

But thanks to the rapid pace of technological development, the costs have declined significantly: Small satellites – ranging in mass from 1 kg to 500 kg – can now be built at budgets in the tens of thousands of dollars, and startups offer containerized sat launches for as little as $300,000.

Get the full Game Changing Startups of 2019 report

We’ll uncover and define the most bleeding-edge trends taking shape across the technology industry.

As the costs continue to decline, the market for small satellites is expanding rapidly. Universities, research groups, and tech companies are sending these machines to space at an unprecedented pace.

According to SpaceWorks Enterprises — a private company that monitors satellite demand — the number of annual nano- or microsatellite launches has grown at an average of 40% per year since 2011, with 10% growth projected annually through 2023.

Using the CB Insights database, we surfaced 7 startups capitalizing on the potential for small-sats to transform space exploration and intelligence. (We dive into the many industries that can benefit from better space information here).

PLANET LABS

Total Funding: $196.1M

Latest Round: Series C III | $13.1M | July 2015

Select Investors: Draper Fisher Jurvetson, O’Reilly AlphaTech Ventures, First Round Capital

Planet Labs is one of the most mature startups in the small-satellite space: With at least 149 sats now in orbit, Planet Labs operates the largest fleet of any private company in the industry. Planet Labs uses its satellite data to build and sell easily searchable data sets to stakeholders across many industries.

The startup’s core mission is to capture imagery of the entire surface of the Earth every day — something no company has achieved thus far. Planet Labs is imaging approximately 50 million square kilometers of the planet every day (roughly double the entire surface area of North America).


SPIRE

Total Funding: $139.5M

Latest Round: Series C | $70M | Nov 2017

Select Investors: European Investment Fund, Bessemer Venture Partners, Jump Capital

Spire (formerly known as NanoSatisfi) offers data and analytics to inform business decision-making, but focuses on the maritime industry, aviation sector, and custom client needs. Spire is also a leader in using satellite data to inform weather predictions and forecasts: The company currently operates at least 40 “multi-sensor nanosatellites” that collect global GPS-RO weather data, and received a 2016 contract to provide its data to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to help predict hurricanes and storms.

Following its November 2017 $70M Series C funded by the Luxembourg Future Fund (among other participants, via the European Investment Fund), the California-based company recently announced plans to open a second headquarters in Luxembourg.


SPACEFLIGHT INDUSTRIES

Total Funding: $85.9M

Latest Round: Corporate Minority | $40.7M | September 2017

Select Investors: Space Alliance, RRE Ventures, Vulcan Capital

Spaceflight offers the small-sat sector’s most straightforward pricing for commercial launches, as well as end-to-end management services to ensure customers complete their satellite missions on time and on budget. The company has launched 112 satellites to date for customers from 32 countries and counting.

Spaceflight identifies and manages launches executed via “ride sharing” on commercial rockets pre-scheduled for takeoff. Costs vary widely based on satellite mass and distance into space, but start at around $300,000.


SATELLOGIC

Total Funding: $31.5M

Latest Round: Series B | $27M | June 2017

Select Investors: CrunchFund, FundoPitanga, Tencent Holdings

Satellogic offers satellite data services for use in agriculture, oil pipeline monitoring, disaster response/preparedness, and more. The company provides customers with high-resolution geo-intelligence – aka “live insights from planet Earth” – cultivated from its growing network of 35-kg microsatellites. Today, the company has 6 satellites in orbit, but plans to reach more than 15 in 2018, 70 in 2019, and 300 by the end of the decade.

Satellogic’s machines are what’s known as “spectroscopic satellites,” which pick up signals from light to understand the health of environmental organisms at the molecular level. Following NASA’s decommissioning of its high-performance spectral satellite, Hyperion, in March 2017, Satellogic says it is now “the sole supplier of high-resolution hyper-spectral imagery in the world.”


VECTOR SPACE SYSTEMS

Total Funding: $27.8M

Latest Round: Series A | $21M | June 2017

Select Investors: Lightspeed Venture Partners, Sequoia Capital, Space Angels Network

Vector says its satellite launch services will provide affordable, reliable space access to tech companies looking to send their innovations and applications to space. The company will use two “micro rockets” as its launch vehicles: The Vector-R will launch lightweight (66 kg or less) small satellites on up to 100 flights per year beginning in 2018; the Vector-H will deploy 160-kg satellites on up to 25 flights per year beginning in 2019.

The company says its larger goal is to serve as a platform for “Space App Developers,” allowing them to concentrate on developing solutions without needing to procure launches and satellites.


TERRAN ORBITAL

Total Funding: $7M

Latest Round: Angel | $7M | July 2017

Select Investors: Lockheed Martin Ventures

Startup Terran Orbital specializes in nanosatellite design, development, manufacturing, testing, and launching. Terran Orbital and its child company, Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, are focused primarily on using nanosats and satellite-secured data for military/defense intelligence applications.

The company was founded in 2013, but maintained a fairly low profile until closing a strategic seed investment from Lockheed Martin in June 2017 (amount undisclosed). The deal was largely seen as an example of how legacy defense leaders are interested to use nanosatellites for purposes related to surveillance and/or space communication.


NANORACKS

Total Funding: $2.6M

Latest Round: Bridge | October 2017

Select Investors: Space Angels Network, E-MERGE

NanoRacks has become one of the best-known nanosat startups due to the breadth of services it offers to customers ranging from high schools to government space agencies. The company offers Cubesat launches; tests platforms for advanced sensors (for earth observation); researches platforms for materials and biopharma research; and more.

NanoRacks also recently closed a contract with NASA related to a “commercial habitat concept” study called Ixion. The project is focused on finding ways to repurpose “spent” rocket tanks into suitable places for deep-space explorers to live. (The parts of used launch vehicles otherwise go to waste after deploying satellites into orbit.)

The post 7 Small-Satellite Startups Bringing Space Down To Earth appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/small-satellite-startups/feed/ 0
A New, Low-Cost Space Tech Is Set To Disrupt Everything From Commodities Trading To Telecommunications https://www.cbinsights.com/research/industries-disrupted-satellites/ https://www.cbinsights.com/research/industries-disrupted-satellites/#respond Sun, 19 Nov 2017 19:14:19 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=24133 Nanosatellites – tiny satellites you can hold in your hand – are being launched into space at unprecedented rates. As the pace of technological development speeds up, making it less and less expensive to send a “nanosat” into orbit, these machines …

The post A New, Low-Cost Space Tech Is Set To Disrupt Everything From Commodities Trading To Telecommunications appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
Nanosatellites – tiny satellites you can hold in your hand – are being launched into space at unprecedented rates.

As the pace of technological development speeds up, making it less and less expensive to send a “nanosat” into orbit, these machines could provide a value to society that extends far beyond space exploration.

In the future, nanosatellites will transform a variety of industries that utilize space information – from more accurate weather and climate predictions to better monitoring (and safety) of air and sea traffic to smarter forecasting of crop yields and commodities.

get the 51-page Google in TELECOM report

Learn how Google is quickly expanding its global reach in telecommunications.

What are nanosatellites?

The International Space Station, currently the largest satellite in orbit around the earth, measures ~356 feet by ~240 feet.

Nanosatellites, on the other hand, are small satellites with a mass between 1 kg and 10 kg, or just 2.2 lbs to 22 lbs. Some nanosatellites are as small as just ten cubic centimeters. Yet they possess many of the same antennas, sensors, and control systems that make larger satellites so useful for space exploration and monitoring.

Nanosats that take a 10×10×10-unit cubic structure are known as CubeSats. A single-unit (or 1U) CubeSat has a mass no greater than 1.33 kg (2.93 lbs), but can be stacked with others to create 2U, 3U, or 6U rectangular models.

Until a few years ago, it cost at least $2M to build a functional satellite, regardless of size. Now, students and scientists can create nanosats using DIY kits and off-the-shelf components – allowing the machines to be made with budgets in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Launching a nanosat is also far cheaper than sending a normal satellite to space, which can cost many millions of dollars. These tiny “sats” can be launched en masse via ride-sharing on rockets, though the costs vary drastically based on satellite mass, distance into space, and nature or “payload” of the space mission.

Startup Open Cosmos, for example, provides “enabling services” for taking customers’ satellite plans from design to launch (in under 10 months) at prices starting around $630,000. Their one-stop-shop offering includes things like mission simulation, testing, and insurance.

Spaceflight, on the other hand, offers straightforward commercial pricing for ride-shares that can be booked within weeks of a pre-scheduled rocket launch – making it possible to send a 3U CubeSat to “low earth orbit” (LEO) for as little as $295,000.

As more and more nanosatellites are sent to space by universities, tech companies, government entities, and private citizens alike, they’ll provide comprehensive “coverage” of earth at an incredibly low cost – leading to game-changing transformations across each of the sectors discussed below.


Education, Research & Academia

Just as the decreasing costs of computers have rapidly changed the way we learn about our world, the growing volume of small satellites circling the planet (and sending data back to earth) will change the way we learn about our universe.

Nanosatellites affixed with cameras have already sent never-before-seen images down to earth: Russian cosmonauts, for example, recently gave us the world’s first panoramic, 360-view video shot in open space.

But the educational value extends much further than replacing textbooks (or PBS documentaries) with live-streams from space. Researchers will also benefit from sending lab projects into orbit.

Conducting research in space is important for many scientific objectives – which is partly why the International Space Station (ISS) has served as a full-time low-gravity research lab for years.

  • Since fluids can be almost completely combined in microgravity, for example, nanosatellite experiments can help scientists understand fluids that do not mix well on Earth.
  • In addition, gravity can diminish the conductivity of certain materials, so scientists looking to create “superconductive” synthetics also use low-gravity environments to understand materials interactions at the molecular level.

Biologists are already using nanosatellites to understand how gravity impacts biological processes: The SporeSat project, for example, which was sent to space through NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI), studied the effect of gravity on the reproductive spores of the fern.


Weather Forecasting

Space weather – which is concerned with things like solar or cosmic radiation, and interactions among magnetic fields in the atmosphere – has historically been onerous and costly to measure with traditional satellites.

A 2016 European Geosciences Union General Assembly report called nanosatellites “a paradigm change for space weather studies.”

For now, organizations like the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have less-than-perfect space weather information, which limits their ability to predict our weather here on Earth.

With thousands of sensor-equipped nanosatellites in orbit, however, detailed space weather data can be used to help us better predict hurricanes, flooding, and heavy precipitation from tropical or non-tropical storms.

To help us reach a more weather-smart future, the NOAA granted a 2016 contract to Spire, another startup in the nanosat space. Spire currently operates at least 40 “multi-sensor nanosatellites” that collect global GPS-RO weather data, which measures certain atmospheric properties that are increasingly seen as crucial to understanding storm-related weather patterns.


Air/Sea Monitoring & Insurance

The NOAA granted the GPS-RO contract to Spire as part of the agency’s objective of reducing “average track and intensity errors” by 50% in 10 years. Predicting the trajectory and intensity of storms is crucial to mitigating the impact of future natural disasters.

Weather forecasting has a particularly big impact on marine and aerospace safety. With better information from nanosatellites on atmospheric conditions, aero- and marine-industry stakeholders and insurers will be able to conduct better risk analyses around hurricanes and storms – ultimately minimizing liabilities (and insurance premiums) and disruptions.

Improved safety will also reduce transport costs by minimizing weather-related losses. Nanosats can also help minimize collisions in our skies and seas, since they can provide views of air or ocean traffic straight from the atmosphere.

And as the maritime industry, in particular, embraces automation, nanosats will be able to monitor the Earth’s seas to minimize piracy risks.

For now, Spire and other startups are using their satellites to offer monitoring data to maritime stakeholders.


Agriculture & Commodities Trading

Nanosats will provide value in commercial activities on land, as well. With better weather and climate intelligence, environmental conditions will become more measurable, predictable, and data-driven.

Agriculture will be one of the first areas transformed.

The Farmer’s Almanac will get a major upgrade with nanosat-secured data: Better predictive data on weather patterns and natural disasters will translate into more accurate forecasts of impact on crops – ultimately informing decisions on what we grow, where we grow it, how, and when.

Startups like Satellogic are already offering satellite-based insights to the agriculture sector, among others. Satellogic’s machines are what’s known as “spectroscopic satellites,” which pick up signals from light to understand the health of environmental organisms at the molecular level.

With better intelligence on space weather and its impact on agriculture, market observers will also better understand anticipated global production yields of crops and other commodities – potentially offering new insights to traders and analysts.


Environmental Monitoring & Protection

According to a New York Times report, researchers have long warned that the US’ climate monitoring capabilities – which include satellites as well as air- and surface-based measuring instruments – are less than adequate, subject to data collection gaps or discrepancies.

Data scientist Dr. Zeke Hausfather, who published satellite-based research in the Journal of Climate in June, commented that in our global satellite temperature record, “only a few satellites are measuring temperatures at any given point of time.”

Some of those large satellites also have “fairly large orbital drifts,” according to Hausfather, which limits their ability to fly over the same spot on Earth at the same time every day, which is a precondition to accurately estimating changes in temperatures over time.

With thousands of tiny satellites tracking changes in much smaller areas of the atmosphere, scientists will unlock new data on climate fluctuations. That information will be crucial to practically all efforts related to environmental preservation — from predicting future temperature changes to pinpointing at-risk habitats and organisms.

Climate visualization using data from NASA satellites. CREDIT: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.


Telecommunications

Satellites of all sizes have played a role in our global communications infrastructure ever since the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, took flight equipped with a radio transmitter in 1957. Our reliance on satellite communication (aka “satcom”) has grown exponentially ever since: By 1990, 2 out of every 3 intercontinental phone calls were transmitted by communication satellites.

Communication satellites are used to relay and amplify radio signals that transmit information. They essentially create communication channels between a source transmitter and a receiver at different locations on Earth. NASA calls these Tracking and Data Relay Satellites, or TDRS (rendering below).

Even as the internet improves in remote regions, satellites remain crucial to information sharing: Most news agencies still use satellites to distribute text, audio, and video to their affiliates.

Without satellites, many citizens in less developed countries would lack access to news and other information. And even today, huge swathes of our planet still lack telecommunications infrastructure.

Tech-sector stakeholders are already at work using nanosatellites to plug internet coverage caps. Australian company Sky and Space (SAS), for example, is planning to provide telecommunications coverage to millions of people living in a band around the equator – stretching from Darwin to Hong Kong – by 2020. SAS’ first step will be launching up to 200 nano-satellites into space, beginning in 2018, in partnership with Virgin Galactic.


Defense

As our access to space (and space data) continues to accelerate, there will be risks, as well as opportunities.

Rendering of a Russian ‘Gonets’ (messenger) satellite.

Private companies are gearing up to use satellites for potential defense contracts. Nanosats could be used to spy on other countries’ satellites, for example, or to collect intelligence on enemy spacecraft.

In addition, nanosatellites will be prime targets for rogue hackers or bad actors working on behalf of hostile governments. These attackers could try to disable telecommunications channels via nanosatellites or disrupt the servicing of other larger satellites by nanosatellites, among many other potenial nefarious applications.

Mindful of potential threats, Lockheed Martin invested in nanosat startup Terran Orbital in summer 2017; Terran and its child company, Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, use  satellite-secured surveillance data for military/defense intelligence applications.


The post A New, Low-Cost Space Tech Is Set To Disrupt Everything From Commodities Trading To Telecommunications appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/industries-disrupted-satellites/feed/ 0
Here’s Why Mining Platinum From Asteroids Could Be A Billion-Dollar Opportunity https://www.cbinsights.com/research/asteroid-mining-goldman-sachs-platinum/ https://www.cbinsights.com/research/asteroid-mining-goldman-sachs-platinum/#respond Thu, 31 Aug 2017 16:49:59 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=15070 The market value of precious metals on specific asteroids could fundamentally change supply and demand dynamics back on earth, according to various reports. As a recent Goldman Sachs research note put it: “a single asteroid the size of a football field could …

The post Here’s Why Mining Platinum From Asteroids Could Be A Billion-Dollar Opportunity appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
The market value of precious metals on specific asteroids could fundamentally change supply and demand dynamics back on earth, according to various reports.

As a recent Goldman Sachs research note put it: “a single asteroid the size of a football field could contain $25B to $50B worth of platinum.”

As companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos-backed Blue Origin meet milestones and costs associated with commercial spaceflight continue to drop, asteroid mining could become a near-term opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Here are the reasons why it’s likely closer than skeptics imagine.

  • Startups developing space technologies are ramping up quickly: As a subset of space tech, asteroid mining companies are continuing to see lots of media and investor interest, while space tech more broadly saw 13 deals total $157M for Q2’17. See below for more information on these companies.
  • Asteroid mining carries environmental benefits, as companies pledge to alleviate the depletion of earth’s own natural resources by mining asteroids for precious metals and raw materials.
  • In a similar vein, near-earth asteroids could provide a home for a range of heavy industry processes and/or robot-enabled manufacturing; without gravity, machinery and operating costs could drop significantly compared to the same earth-based processes.
  • Water held within asteroids could also serve to re-supply long-distance space flights, with the asteroids serving as galactic “gas stations,” hopefully with clean bathrooms.

Track the space tech companies in this brief and many more on our platform

Startups working on the new frontier have the potential to disrupt a number of verticals, ranging from precious metals to telecommunication. Look for Space Tech in the Collections tab.

Track Space Tech

Still, major hurdles remain. Notably – and on top of all the very complex technical details – questions around regulations and international law that have dogged state and commercial spaceflight since its inception remain problematic.

For one, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, with 107 parties to the agreement, bars state actors from militarizing or claiming “celestial bodies,” and requires states to supervise private players in following similar rules. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether this treaty extends to mining, or as to how such a treaty might be enforced. Luxembourg has emerged as an early leader in “extraterrestrial law,” most recently passing legislation allowing for private ownership of resources mined in outer space that – purportedly – complies with the Outer Space Treaty.

Still, mining proponents point out that concerns over “real estate” might be overblown, as asteroids farther from earth are much larger than some might assume, with the largest identified asteroids many miles in diameter.

Startups spotlight

We dug into the CB Insights’ database to take a closer look at a few companies working on R&D within this category. Specifically, three companies that are going all-in on asteroid mining are Planetary Resources, Deep Space Industries, and Moon Express.

Investments and investor breakdown

Planetary Resources leads the pack, with a total of about $49M in disclosed funding. The company also sees the most diverse set of investors, with angels, corporates, governments, and traditional venture firms all investing.

Following close behind is Moon Express, which is vying for Google’s Lunar X Prize – among other goals – and has raised nearly $48M in a mix of convertible debt, grants, and venture financing. The firm’s recent Series B round saw a total of $25M invested, including from Autodesk, Collaborative Fund, and Founders Fund.

space-based r&d. ambient intelligence. own-a-piece-of-anything

Download our free report to discover 10 technologies that could change the world.

Lastly, Deep Space Industries has raised a bit more than $1M, with disclosed investments from Space Angels Network. The company plans to launch an asteroid probe, Prospector-1, shortly.

The post Here’s Why Mining Platinum From Asteroids Could Be A Billion-Dollar Opportunity appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/asteroid-mining-goldman-sachs-platinum/feed/ 0
Space Tech Deals Reach Higher As Funding Dips https://www.cbinsights.com/research/space-tech-startups-deals-funding-trends/ https://www.cbinsights.com/research/space-tech-startups-deals-funding-trends/#respond Fri, 21 Jul 2017 17:23:34 +0000 https://www.cbinsights.com/research/?p=8700 With Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin making headlines, space tech has seen an increase in both media attention and investment activity: total funding ballooned to more than $2B in 2015, and last year deals hit a record high of 49. …

The post Space Tech Deals Reach Higher As Funding Dips appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
With Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin making headlines, space tech has seen an increase in both media attention and investment activity: total funding ballooned to more than $2B in 2015, and last year deals hit a record high of 49.

Using CB Insights data, we examined funding trends to startups working in space tech. We define space tech to include companies involved in the construction and launch of satellites or rocketry into outer space (including low earth orbit, medium earth orbit, high earth orbit, and geostationary orbit), in addition to ancillary companies working to aggregate, analyze, and sell data collected from outer space.

Flying High: The State of Drone Technology

Download an in-depth report covering the current drone “stack”, the future of autonomy, and more.

Annual Deals and Dollars

To date, 2017 has seen 25 deals totaling $371M in disclosed equity funding. At a full-year run rate, this would equate to 47 deals and about $700M in funding, which would put deals nearly level with 2016 numbers (49 deals) but would also mean a substantial decrease in total funding. However, this sector is known for outlier mega-rounds (greater than $500M). While there have been no mega-rounds yet in 2017, if we see one or more in the second half of the year it would significantly boost annual numbers.

This year’s largest financing round to date went to rocket launch services developer Rocket Lab, in a $75M Series D that included participation from top investors Bessemer Venture Partners and Khosla Ventures, among others. The second-largest round went to satellite tech company Kymeta, which saw Intelsat take a corporate minority stake for $73.6M.

Track the space tech companies in this brief and many more on our platform

Startups working on the new frontier have the potential to disrupt a number of verticals, ranging from precious metals to telecommunication. Look for Space Tech in the Collections tab.

Track Space Tech

QUARTERLY DEALS AND DOLLARS

On a quarterly basis, deals rose from 12 in Q1’17 to 13 in Q2’17, making it the third-highest quarter ever. However, dollars continued to slide in Q2’17 down to $157M, a 27% decrease from $215M in the previous quarter.

Notable deals last quarter included a $50M Series C to Orbital Insight, with participation from Sequoia Capital, CME Ventures, and Google Ventures, among others, and a $30M round to Virginia-based Omnispace, with participation from investors including Intelsat Holding Corporation. Early-stage companies also saw activity, with four Series A deals closing for under $15M each.

 

The post Space Tech Deals Reach Higher As Funding Dips appeared first on CB Insights Research.

]]>
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/space-tech-startups-deals-funding-trends/feed/ 0