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Global space investment hits record $3.5 billion as funding widens beyond SpaceX and OneWeb

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Global space investment soared to a record $3.5 billion in the third quarter, almost doubling last year’s figure, as money flowed into a broader range of startups and defense-related projects, according to a new report from Seraphim Space.

The data marks a shift in the fast-growing industry, with capital now spread across multiple players instead of being dominated by giants such as SpaceX and OneWeb. “We’re seeing a far more diverse set of investable companies, signaling that space has evolved into a broader, more mature market,” said Lucas Bishop, investment associate at Seraphim.

The surge was led by U.S. defense and aerospace firms like Hadrian, Apex, and Hermeus, which raised large rounds focused on advanced manufacturing and hypersonic technologies. In China, Galactic Energy took the top spot with a $336 million raise in September.

Governments are fueling the boom as they expand domestic space and defense initiatives, with the U.S., China, and Europe all channeling funds into satellite networks and orbital infrastructure. The report said this momentum would likely continue into 2026, supported by dual-use technologies bridging civilian and military applications, such as SpaceX’s Starshield and OneWeb’s network expansion.

Publicly traded space firms have also surged. Rocket Lab and Planet Labs have more than doubled their market value in recent months, while AST SpaceMobile has tripled after demonstrating satellite-to-phone broadband connectivity — a milestone for direct-to-device communication.

Jeff Bezos Envisions Gigawatt-Scale Data Centres in Space Within Two Decades

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Amazon founder Jeff Bezos says it’s only a matter of time before humanity builds massive data centres in orbit, powered by continuous solar energy and free from Earth’s environmental constraints. Speaking at Italian Tech Week in Turin, Bezos predicted that gigawatt-scale orbital data hubs could become a reality within the next 10 to 20 years, eventually surpassing their terrestrial counterparts in efficiency and cost.

“These giant training clusters—those will be better built in space,” Bezos said during a conversation with Ferrari and Stellantis Chairman John Elkann. “We have solar power there 24/7—no clouds, no rain, no weather. We will be able to beat the cost of terrestrial data centres in space in the next couple of decades.”

The idea of space-based computing infrastructure is gaining traction among tech firms as AI-driven demand for electricity, cooling, and server capacity skyrockets on Earth. Conventional data centres are now among the world’s largest industrial consumers of energy and water, fueling the search for sustainable alternatives.

Bezos described orbital data centres as a natural next step in the broader trend of using space to improve life on Earth, noting that satellites already manage weather forecasting, communications, and navigation. “The next step is data centres, then other kinds of manufacturing,” he said.

However, the vision faces formidable obstacles: high launch costs, maintenance difficulties, and the risk of mission failures in space. Frequent upgrades—a routine part of Earth-based data infrastructure—would be far more complicated in orbit.

Beyond technology, Bezos framed the discussion within a broader narrative about AI and societal transformation. Drawing parallels between today’s artificial intelligence boom and the dot-com bubble of the early 2000s, he urged optimism despite speculative excess.

“We should be extremely optimistic that the societal and beneficial consequences of AI—like we had with the internet 25 years ago—are for real and there to stay,” he said. “It’s important to separate potential bubbles from the actual underlying reality.”

Bezos emphasized that AI’s impact will be “broadly diffused” across industries and societies, suggesting that the technology’s true promise lies not in isolated breakthroughs but in its global, everyday applications.

His comments add weight to the emerging idea that space infrastructure could become the next great frontier of the digital economy, where data, energy, and AI converge far above Earth’s atmosphere.

Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo Plan New European Satellite Venture Amid Industry Challenges

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INTRODUCTION:
European aerospace giants Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo are reportedly in discussions to establish a joint satellite venture, codenamed “Project Bromo.” This ambitious initiative aims to challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink network and reshape Europe’s satellite sector, which has struggled with losses and competitive pressures from low-cost satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).

KEY DETAILS

  1. Project Bromo – A European Satellite Champion:
    • The venture, modeled on missile maker MBDA, envisions a standalone entity combining satellite assets rather than a traditional acquisition structure.
    • This collaborative effort seeks to leverage the strengths of the three companies to create a scalable and competitive European satellite enterprise.
    • Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani confirmed discussions about adopting the MBDA model but noted governance structures may vary.
  2. Strategic Drivers:
    • Europe’s leading satellite makers, traditionally focused on high-complexity geostationary orbit spacecraft, are adapting to the rapid rise of smaller, cost-efficient satellites in LEO.
    • Cingolani emphasized that satellites could account for 75% of the space economy in the future, highlighting the need for Europe to stay competitive in this evolving market.
  3. Job Cuts Across the Industry:
    • Parallel to the satellite initiative, Airbus plans to cut up to 2,500 jobs in its Defence and Space division, representing 7% of its workforce, by mid-2026.
    • Thales has announced plans to reduce 1,300 space-related positions as part of restructuring efforts.
    • Most Airbus cuts are expected in its €2 billion space systems business, with reductions likely in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain.
  4. Historical Challenges:
    • The European space industry has long discussed restructuring but has faced delays due to competition concerns and governance complexities.
    • Despite previous attempts, including Airbus’ 2001 pledge to restructure the space industry after forming MBDA, substantial progress has been elusive.
  5. Timeline and Implications:
    • Project Bromo is still in early stages and could take years to materialize.
    • If successful, the joint venture would provide Europe with a robust satellite manufacturing entity capable of competing with global players like Starlink.

MARKET AND COMPETITION

  • Global Satellite Trends: The space economy is shifting toward LEO satellites, driven by demand for affordable, scalable solutions for global internet connectivity and communication.
  • Challenges from Starlink: SpaceX’s Starlink dominates the LEO market with its extensive satellite network, presenting a formidable challenge to European firms.
  • European Collaboration: The MBDA-inspired model may allow for better resource pooling and coordinated competition, reducing fragmentation in the European satellite market.

CONCLUSION

Project Bromo represents a significant step toward strengthening Europe’s position in the satellite industry. However, its success depends on overcoming technical and governance hurdles and aligning the diverse interests of Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo. Simultaneously, widespread job cuts underscore the challenges facing the European space sector as it navigates competitive pressures and structural realignments.