SPAC
Virgin Galactic on schedule to start commercial human suborbital flights this year
Virgin Galactic executives said Feb. 22 that they remain on schedule to begin commercial human suborbital missions before the end of the year but acknowledged it will take several years for the company to become profitable.
Stock market losses for space companies not affecting private investment
Many space companies that have gone public in the last year through SPAC deals have suffered major losses in the stock market in recent months, but that decline doesn’t necessarily mean a broader skepticism about the industry.
D-Orbit valued at $1.28 billion in SPAC deal
D-Orbit announced plans Jan. 27 to go public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company in a deal that values the Italian in-space transportation and logistics firm at $1.28 billion.
Satellogic completes SPAC merger
Earth observation company Satellogic will start trading as a public company Jan. 26 after completing a delayed merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).
Satellogic raises $150 million from fund led by former treasury secretary
A fund led by Steven Mnuchin, former treasury secretary, will invest $150 million into Earth imaging company Satellogic, helping close a delayed merger with a special purpose acquisition corporation (SPAC).
Industry offers cautious optimism about state of space investment
After a year that saw the rise and potential fall of one tool for space companies to raise money, executives and investors have varying degrees of optimism about the state of the industry heading into 2022.
Space SPACs look to rebound in 2022
Space companies used mergers with special purpose acquisition corporations, or SPACs, to grow their businesses in 2021, but many shareholders were left underwater at the end of the year.
Virgin Orbit raises far less than expected from SPAC merger
Virgin Orbit will get less than half the money it originally expected from its merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) as that deal wins shareholder approval.
Virgin Orbit investing in startups as SPAC merger wraps up
As Virgin Orbit prepares to complete its merger with a SPAC, the launch provider has announced a series of partnerships and investments to diversify its business.
Satellogic nearing completion of SPAC merger
Earth observation company Satellogic expects to begin trading on the Nasdaq next week after completing a merger with special purpose acquisition corporation (SPAC).
SPAC activity may pause but it will be back
The rate of space company mergers with special purpose acquisition corporations may be slowing, but the trend isn’t over, according to investors speaking at TechCrunch Space Sessions 2021.
Planet shares begin trading on New York Stock Exchange
Planet completed its merger with special purpose acquisition company dMY Technology Group IV and began trading shares on the New York Stock Exchange Dec. 8 under the ticker symbol PL.
Op-ed | Space and SPACs: A COVID Romance?
For SPAC investors, the heavy focus on a quick ROI – and overall risk aversion – may ultimately make SPACs and the space sector an imperfect fit.
Interest in SPAC mergers declining
While SPAC mergers dominated the space industry for much of the year, one expert sees warning signs of waning interest in this way of taking companies public.
Terran Orbital plans to go public through SPAC merger
Terran Orbital, the parent company of Tyvak and PredaSAR, announced plans Oct. 28 to go public through a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company.
Rate of space industry deals may slow down in the next year
The torrid pace of investment and acquisitions involving space companies this year is unlikely to continue next year, but investors and bankers are still optimistic about the long-term growth prospects for the industry.
Space SPACs struggle to lift off
None of the companies that recently completed SPAC deals have seen a dramatic increase in share price. Meanwhile, share SPAC redemptions are growing, indicating a lack of enthusiasm.
Planet provides data to federal civilian agencies under NASA contract
Researchers delving into climate change, biodiversity loss and other topics through work funded by U.S. federal civilian agencies and the National Science Foundation will have access to Planet Earth-observation data through September 2022, under a NASA contract announced Sept. 14.
Space SPACs could prompt new wave of acquisitions
The current wave of space startups going public through mergers with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) might lead to a round of industry consolidation as they snap up suppliers to obtain their technologies or personnel.
Redwire completes SPAC merger
Space technology company Redwire announced Sept. 2 that it closed its merger with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC), taking the company public and providing it with capital for future acquisitions.
