The commercial space industry took a major leap forward in 2024, with several private companies making significant strides in launching missions to space and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus lunar lander became the first U.S.-made spacecraft to land on the moon since the Apollo era in the 1970s, paving the way for future crewed missions.
The Houston-based startup won a $4.8 billion NASA contract to help with a communications system for future moon bases, demonstrating the growing power of new names in the industry. Other notable advances include the launch of Axiom Space’s AxEMU space suit, designed for future moonwalkers, and SpaceX’s successful demonstration of its reusable Starship rocket.
SpaceX’s Starship successfully caught its booster on a launch tower for the first time, marking a significant milestone towards reusing every bit of the system and lowering costs. The company also won several high-profile contracts, including a $843 million deal to safely dispose of NASA’s ISS in 2030.
The year saw numerous breakthroughs, from private spacewalks to reusable rockets, as companies like SpaceX and Axiom Space pushed the limits of what is possible. With plans for the ISS set to end operations in 2030, NASA has turned to commercial companies for help, signaling a shift towards a new era of cooperation.
The success of these private space companies marks a significant change in the industry, with companies like SpaceX and Intuitive Machines becoming major players in the pursuit of space exploration. As the commercial space race heats up, it’s clear that this is an era where innovation and competition will drive progress.
Source: https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/the-commercial-space-race-took-flight-in-2024/91070229