Building a responsive future for space launch, Venrock’s investment into ABL Space

The backstory of our privileged investment into ABL Space

Beginning of the new space economy

We are at the beginning of a new era in the Space economy. There are over 20k satellites filed with the FCC for expected launch within the next 5–8 years. Global Space activity was estimated to be $360 billion in 2018, with commercial space revenues representing 79% of total space activity, expecting to double over the next five years.

Over 90% of the satellites filed to launch are in the ‘small satellite’ (150kg — 750kg) class. Fueled by demand for global broadband, space-based observation & tracking, increased NASA activity, and more, the need for lower-cost capabilities and faster times to orbit has become paramount. This is a radical shift from the large, expensive, and time-consuming builds of GEO based satellites. Our investment in Astranis was an example of this.

In parallel, US defense priorities have shifted away from large satellite clusters in an attempt to ‘disaggregate’ existing space infrastructure into small satellite constellations to address emerging threats and create increased resilience. Large satellites are challenging to defend, while Russia and China have demonstrated ground and in-orbit…