Investment in space companies hit record $14.5 billion in 2021, report says

Private investment in space companies last year set a record, according to a report Tuesday by New York-based firm Space Capital.

Space infrastructure companies received $14.5 billion of private investment in 2021, a new annual record that was up more than 50% from 2020. That includes a record-setting fourth quarter, which brought in $4.3 billion thanks to “mega-rounds” of $250 million or more by Sierra Space, Elon Musk’sSpaceX, and Planet Labs.

The quarterly Space Capital report divides investment in the industry into three technology categories: infrastructure, distribution and application. Infrastructure includes what would be commonly considered as space companies, such as firms that build rockets and satellites.Read more