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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.

Judge Rejects Elon Musk’s Bid to Move SEC Lawsuit From Washington to Texas

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A U.S. federal judge has denied Elon Musk’s request to move a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit from Washington, D.C. to Texas, rejecting his claim that the capital’s court location was overly burdensome given his packed schedule.

Judge Sparkle Sooknanan ruled on Thursday that while she acknowledges Musk’s demanding workload, his “considerable means” and frequent travel make Washington an appropriate venue. She also noted that Musk spends at least 40% of his time outside Texas, including significant periods in the capital, where he recently led the Department of Government Efficiency.

The judge emphasized that Texas courts face heavier caseloads, while her court could handle the matter with “reasonable alacrity.” Musk’s argument centered on his claim that he works 80 or more hours per week, often sleeping at his office or factories, and that defending himself in Washington would cause “substantial burdens.”

The SEC lawsuit, filed in January, accuses Musk of failing to timely disclose his acquisition of a 5% stake in Twitter (now X) in early 2022. The 11-day delay, according to the SEC, allowed him to buy over $500 million worth of shares at artificially low prices, saving him an estimated $150 million. The agency seeks a civil fine and the forfeiture of those gains, while Musk is attempting to have the case dismissed.

Musk, whose fortune reportedly surpassed $500 billion this week, resides in Austin, Texas, where his major companies—Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company—are headquartered. He had also proposed moving the case to Manhattan, where former Twitter shareholders have filed a related lawsuit, but that request was likewise denied.

The case, titled SEC v. Musk, will proceed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia under docket number 25-00105, setting the stage for another high-profile courtroom battle involving one of the world’s most controversial billionaires.

Spacecoin Sends Blockchain Data Through Space in First-of-Its-Kind Test to Challenge Starlink

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U.S. satellite startup Spacecoin announced on Wednesday that it had successfully transmitted secured blockchain data through space, marking what it called an industry first and a potential challenge to Elon Musk’s Starlink.

The company’s goal is to create a decentralized satellite network offering connectivity and data storage for users in regions where internet access is unreliable, censored, or prohibitively expensive, according to its founder Tae Oh.

HOW IT WORKS

Unlike Starlink — where SpaceX maintains full control over its vast satellite constellation — Spacecoin envisions an open, participatory model that allows users, developers, and organizations to contribute to the network and verify transactions.
Its technology uses blockchain encryption to ensure that data sent through satellites cannot be intercepted, altered, or falsified.

During the test, Spacecoin transmitted blockchain data over 7,000 kilometers, from Chile to the Azores, entirely through a satellite link — without relying on terrestrial internet.
The nanosatellite used in the experiment was built by Bulgarian microsatellite manufacturer EnduroSat, and the company said the data returned to Earth intact and verifiable.

“Beyond end users, we are also targeting builders — such as developers, telecom companies, NGOs, and infrastructure partners,” said founder Tae Oh.
“For people using the internet, this means the information or payments they send can’t be faked, changed, or intercepted by bad actors.”

CONTEXT AND FUTURE PLANS

The success of Spacecoin’s test comes amid a boom in satellite internet services as global demand for secure broadband increases.
While J.P. Morgan previously tested blockchain payments between satellites, Spacecoin’s test is the first to bypass terrestrial networks entirely, operating solely in orbit.

Currently, Spacecoin has just one satellite, launched in December 2024 on a SpaceX rocket, and orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at up to 2,000 km altitude.
The company plans to add three more satellites by the end of 2025 to expand coverage and reliability.

With Starlink’s 8,000-satellite fleet dominating global satellite broadband, Spacecoin’s blockchain-based approach positions it as an innovative but niche challenger, combining crypto technology with space-based communication infrastructure.