Investing in Space: Looking to 2023

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After ending with a bit of a dip (“the year to forget about space stocks”), I feel like 2023 is a case of contrarian optimism. The next 12 months are full of opportunities and milestones to look forward to.

Related investment news

Who will seize the moment!? Below are the top 3 space business news items I’m watching. Shockingly, all three are about getting on track.

1. Kuiper Project

Amazon’s Its satellite internet efforts have arguably made it the most skinned tech giant in the space game, and last year’s biggest-ever commercial launch deal showed the company is serious about its capital-intensive plans. However, the satellite broadband landscape is changing rapidly. With SpaceX’s Starlink surpassing his one million subscribers and OneWeb nearing completion of its first-generation constellation, if Project Kuiper is looking to establish itself among low-Earth orbit networks. , should do it this year. A breakthrough moment is Project Kuiper, the in-orbit testing of the first two of his prototype satellites scheduled to fly on the debut launch of ULA’s Vulcan rocket.

2. Starship

Two years after the dust had cleared in South Texas, Starship’s prototype SN15 towered over the landing pad. SpaceX is clearly busy with its development facilities, but the leadership goal of getting the Starship into orbit in 2021, and then 2022, has come and gone. I understand that there is, but first we need to reach space. I can’t. If it can do so without major setbacks this year, it will be a big win for SpaceX.

3. Breakout stocks

This is a metaphorical “getting on track” (although some space-only stocks need to do that literally). In my view, it’s time to stop grouping these as spatial “SPACs” and instead recognize their vastly different underpinnings. Sure, they’re all space companies, but the market is lumping them together as if their business models have similar revenue streams, operational risks, and potential. So who breaks out? Space companies expanding beyond the development stage can differentiate themselves from investors as a bargain opportunity in a changing market.

• Private investment in space infrastructure companies fell sharply in 2022, according to a Space Capital Q4 report. Investments in what are commonly considered space companies fell to $6.3 billion, though this year was still the third-highest on record. “Despite strong market headwinds, breakthrough technologies and outstanding teams continue to secure funding,” the report highlights. – Space Capital
• SpaceX launches two Space Force missions, Because the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets carried the satellite into orbit from Florida. The company continues to increase the launch frequency of its Falcon rockets, with missions launching about every four days so far this year. – Space X / Space X
• ABL says rocket ‘unwanted fire’ likely to blame: Posted just one week after the initial launch, an anomaly occurred shortly after takeoff. The company provided details and data about the attempt. ABL believes the fire spread to the rocket’s avionics, causing a “whole system failure.” – ABL space
• Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck has urged the Department of Defense to reconsider national security launch contract requirements, In a briefing hosted by Canaccord Genuity, he said he “would love to see” the company’s future Neutron rockets able to compete. – Space News
• Astronauts calibrate SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. NASA has prepared SpaceX’s spacecraft in case of an emergency evacuation as NASA and Roscosmos proceed with crew arrangements due to damage to the Soyuz capsule MS-22. –NASA

• Carnival extends SpaceX’s Starlink deal. Cruise Line said it began deploying Starlink across its two fleets in December, with plans to expand to other brands. – Carnival
• Phased array startup CesiumAstro acquires UK’s TXMission for an undisclosed amount. – Space News
• NASA Names Sean Quinn as New Exploration Ground Systems Program Manager, replacing former manager Mike Bolger, who retired in December after the launch of Artemis I. –NASA
• Arianespace appoints Steven Rutgers as Chief Commercial Officer. The European launch company hired Rutgers from Hyber, where he was Vice President of Sales. – Arianespace

• January 23rd – Rocket Lab’s Electron launch First US-based mission from Virginia.