How 57+ companies connect across the space economy value chain
The space industry operates as a multi-layered value chain. Upstream companies provide raw materials and components that flow to midstream manufacturers and launch providers. These enable downstream operators and data companies to deliver services to end users. Cross-cutting services like insurance, regulatory, and finance support the entire chain. Click any company to view their full profile.
Raw materials, component manufacturing, and subsystem integration that feed into spacecraft and launch vehicle production.
Launch providers, satellite manufacturers, and ground equipment companies that build and deliver space infrastructure.
Satellite operators, data processors, and end-user applications that deliver value from space infrastructure to customers on Earth.
Regulatory, insurance, finance, legal, and consulting services that support the entire space industry value chain.
Component manufacturers like Moog and Aerojet Rocketdyne supply reaction wheels, thrusters, and propulsion systems to satellite builders (Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin) and launch vehicle manufacturers (SpaceX, Rocket Lab). Raw materials companies provide specialty alloys, semiconductors, and composite materials.
Launch providers deliver satellites to orbit for operators like SES and Planet Labs. Ground equipment manufacturers (L3Harris, KSAT) provide the infrastructure to communicate with and control these assets. Satellite data then flows to analytics platforms serving end users.
Downstream companies transform raw satellite data into actionable intelligence. Planet Labs imagery powers agriculture monitoring, Capella Space SAR enables defense analytics, and Spire Global data feeds weather forecasting. This is where most commercial revenue is generated.
The ecosystem depends on cross-cutting services: insurance underwriters assess and cover launch risk, regulatory bodies (FCC, FAA) license operations, space domain awareness companies track objects to prevent collisions, and specialized investors fund the entire value chain.
Reference data as of 2024–2026 — periodically reviewed · Sources: Space Foundation (space economy, 2025; downstream share, undated in the curated source), Space Capital (VC investment, 2024), CelesTrak via SpaceNexus (active satellites, 2026)