SpaceX is a spacecraft manufactuer founded by Elon Musk in 2002. SpaceX has manufactured heavy-lift launch vehicles, spacecraft and mega-constellation satellite and rocket engines.
SpaceX's constellation of Starlink satellites is the largest-ever and is today comprised of over 4,300 small satellites in orbit.
How big is the SmallSat Industry?
Small satellites, 'SmallSats' (miniature spacecraft under 1,100 lbs), are expected to grow 258% in the next decade to $55.6 billion with 18,460 already launched. SmallSats launched in 2021 alone totaled 1,738, a new all-time record, 1.5x more than in 2020.
SmallSats are less expensive to produce, have faster development cycles, and have the abilty to be included as secondary payloads, thereby decreasing launch costs. Small satellites serve a variety of markets, from earth observation to environmental monitoring.
A Florida-based company has partnered with SpaceX to add their proprietary SmallSat onto the next 9 scheduled SpaceX launches.
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