VCs Pick the 5 Most Exciting Space Tech Startups

• 2021 has been the best year for investments into private space exploration.
• Five companies, outside of well-known SpaceX, have stood out among venture capitalists.
• These companies focus on various missions from tracking space debris to analyzing map data.
• See more stories on Insider’s business page.

From small satellites to giant rockets, in outer space business is booming. Despite fears that the global coronavirus pandemic would lead to a slowdown in commercial space investment, 2021 has been the best year yet for capital infusions into private space exploration — with Q2 outperforming every other quarter to date. Venture capital firms (VCs) delivered a total of $4.8 billion to 102 different space companies during the quarter, according to data from the investment fund Space Capital. 

SpaceX’s cheap launch vehicles, such as the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, have opened up Earth’s low orbit to commercial activity. Whether it’s high-speed satellite internet or the GPS in your mobile phone’s maps app, many new innovations rely on commercial space technology. With the test launch of the company’s largest rocket to date, Starship, set for later this year, analysts expect commercial space activity to become even cheaper. 

“Starship is going to fundamentally change how we operate in space,” said Chad Anderson, founder of Space Capital, a venture capital firm that invests exclusively in space technology. According to Anderson, the wide availability of the enormous commercial rocket could make the cost of entering Earth’s orbit a mere $2 million, an incredible 45 times cheaper than current prices of $90 million. It will also open up places like the moon and Mars as potential new areas for business. While the frothy feelings can be felt throughout the space industry, here are five space technology companies — besides the well-known SpaceX, which is also VC funded — generating the most excitement for investors.