Space travel financing covers all the ways commercial space ventures get the money they need—from building spacecraft to running passenger operations. This field brings its own set of headaches, especially when it comes to finding capital for risky aerospace projects and keeping up with regulatory compliance and what stakeholders expect.
Space financing touches a lot of areas in the commercial space world. Manufacturers like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic must raise billions just to design and test their vehicles.
Launch providers need money for ground support and to keep things running smoothly.
But it’s not just about hardware. Companies also have to find funding for astronaut training centers, spaceport operations, and all the safety certifications. Commercial crew programs soak up cash for years before they ever make a dime.
Space tourism companies have it especially tough. Their development timelines stretch out for five to ten years, and the usual financing options don’t always cut it for these big-ticket projects.
There are quite a few financial tools in play. Asset-backed securities let companies borrow against future income from things like satellite services. Syndicated lending splits the risk between banks. Sometimes, government-backed loans fill the gap for new aerospace tech.
Space companies run into financing problems that most other industries never have to think about. A launch failure can wipe out years of work and millions of dollars in seconds, which makes lenders pretty nervous.
Insurance for space activities usually costs way more than standard business coverage.
Regulations add another layer of cost and complexity. Companies have to deal with FAA licensing, international treaties, and export rules. That means hiring legal experts and waiting through long approval processes.
The need for so much upfront cash keeps a lot of new space companies from even getting started. It can cost hundreds of millions to develop a launch vehicle, and that’s before a single launch. Testing and certification only add to the bill, and traditional venture capitalists don’t always want to take on that kind of risk.
Market swings make investors even more cautious. If one company has a setback, it can dry up funding across the whole sector. The commercial space market is still young and doesn’t offer the track record that investors like to see.
Government agencies sit at the heart of space financing. NASA funds commercial crew programs and space station work through contracts. The FAA handles licensing and regulation for commercial launches.
Private investors—venture capitalists, private equity, institutional funds—bring their own requirements. They want detailed risk analyses and clear routes to making money. Investment banks step in to structure deals that fit aerospace needs.
Commercial space companies borrow money and, hopefully, become revenue generators. Established names like Boeing and Lockheed Martin join in through joint ventures and partnerships. Newcomers like Virgin Galactic lean heavily on outside funding.
Banks and insurance firms have started to specialize in space asset financing. They offer loans built for the long cycles of spacecraft development and provide insurance for launches and passenger flights.
International partners also chip in through joint space programs. Public-private partnerships blend government resources with commercial know-how, spreading out the risks.
Governments have long bankrolled space missions using taxpayer money, with NASA and the European Space Agency leading the way. International partnerships and public sector collaborations help share the costs and the technical heavy lifting.
NASA gets its funding every year from the U.S. federal budget, supporting human spaceflight missions and exploration programs. Their budget usually sits between $20 and $25 billion, with a big chunk going to crewed missions and building spacecraft.
Government funding brings stability and lets agencies plan missions that take years to pull off, without worrying about the ups and downs of the market or impatient investors.
Some major upsides of government funding:
The ESA uses a similar system. Member countries contribute based on their GDP, pooling around €6-7 billion a year for European space projects.
But government budgets aren’t perfect. Politics, shifting priorities, and slow approval processes can all get in the way. Sometimes, budget cuts delay or kill missions—NASA’s history is full of those examples.
The International Space Station stands as the best example of countries working together in space. NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, JAXA, and CSA all share costs and technical duties.
These deals spread out financial pressure and combine expertise. Each country brings something—modules, crew, or support—based on what they can afford and do best.
ESA’s role in NASA’s Artemis program shows how this works today. Europe supplies the Orion service module and, in return, gets seats for its astronauts on lunar missions.
Sharing costs makes big missions possible for countries that couldn’t afford them alone. The ISS eats up about $3-4 billion a year, but partners split the bill based on use and contributions.
Of course, these partnerships aren’t simple. Countries have to negotiate everything, from technical standards to safety rules and mission goals.
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is a classic public-private partnership. The agency put $6.8 billion into SpaceX and Boeing but kept oversight and safety rules in place.
These collaborations blend government stability with private sector speed and creativity. Agencies get access to commercial capabilities and save money and time.
Common setups include:
ESA works with Airbus and Thales Alenia Space in a similar way, supporting both government and commercial space growth in Europe.
Companies in these deals have to meet strict safety and performance standards. Agencies keep a close eye on things but let private partners innovate within the rules.
Private companies now lead the way in space investment, with venture capital and private equity pouring billions into the industry. SpaceX and others have shaken up the field with creative funding and cheaper launches.
Venture capital has become the main engine behind space investment, hitting record highs lately. In 2021, private funding for space companies topped $10 billion—a huge milestone.
Startups pull in venture capital in three main areas. Satellite tech draws the most, with companies building everything from comms systems to Earth observation platforms.
Launch services get a big slice too, as companies race to cut costs and boost reliability.
Space data and analytics firms attract more investment as demand for satellite info grows.
Venture capital works differently than government funding. Investors want quicker results and a clear shot at profits. That pressure has sped up innovation.
Most venture-backed companies focus on commercial applications that can make money fast, rather than long-term exploration missions.
Private equity steps in with bigger checks for mature space companies looking to scale up. These investments usually range from $50 million to several billion, backing businesses with proven models.
Corporations also invest directly, often to secure satellite capacity or develop new services. Even car makers fund space ventures for GPS and communications tech.
Private equity uses frameworks like the “Space Integration Ladder” to size up investments—checking technical readiness, market potential, and regulatory fit before jumping in.
These investors often bring more than just money. They help companies ramp up manufacturing, fix supply chains, and break into new markets. That hands-on support can make all the difference for companies moving from startup to major player.
SpaceX tops the list, having raised over $8 billion and slashed launch costs with reusable rockets. Their tech reportedly cuts launch prices by up to 90% compared to the old way of doing things.
Blue Origin has pulled in a lot of private funding too, focusing on launch services and space tourism. They’re taking a slow-and-steady approach to building long-term space infrastructure.
Virgin Galactic is another big name, targeting space tourism with suborbital flights. They even went public to raise more cash for operations.
Smaller companies are getting in on the action as well. Rocket Lab specializes in launching small satellites, while Planet Labs runs the world’s largest fleet of Earth observation sats. Private investment has really broadened the space economy beyond just government contractors.
Government agencies and private companies team up through formal partnerships, sharing costs, expertise, and risk. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is a prime example—these collaborations have sped up innovation and trimmed government spending.
NASA broke new ground with its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Instead of traditional contracts, they used milestone-based payments. SpaceX and Orbital Sciences got paid only after hitting specific technical goals.
The Commercial Crew Program took this further. NASA put $6.8 billion into SpaceX and Boeing to develop crew transportation systems. Both companies kept ownership of their vehicles, and NASA just paid for rides to the ISS.
Main partnership formats:
The Defense Innovation Unit works with NASA, Space Force, and the Air Force Research Lab. Their annual report points out that Fortune 500 companies drive much of the investment in commercial space.
Private companies bring manufacturing speed and fresh ideas. Government agencies offer regulatory help, launch sites, and technical know-how. Together, they cut development time from decades to just a few years.
SpaceX changed crew transportation thanks to NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The company built Dragon and Falcon 9 with $3.1 billion from NASA. Now, SpaceX runs regular crew rotations to the ISS at much lower costs than old government-only programs.
Boeing got $4.8 billion for Starliner development. Even with technical hiccups, this model gave NASA two independent crew transportation options. If one system runs into trouble, the other keeps things moving.
Virgin Galactic joined forces with NASA for suborbital research flights. Their SpaceShipTwo lets scientists do microgravity research for a fraction of the cost of orbital missions. NASA pays per flight instead of funding the whole vehicle.
Why these partnerships work:
The International Space Station National Lab runs as a public-private setup. Companies do manufacturing experiments and pharma research in microgravity. Private money adds to government investment, moving commercial space uses ahead.
Blue Origin won contracts for lunar lander work under NASA’s Artemis program. They put in their own resources and get government funding for hitting certain milestones. That spreads moon mission costs between public and private players.
The space tourism sector has grown from government-backed projects into a diverse financial world driven by private investment and creative funding models. Now, the money comes from venture capital, government partnerships, and even crowdfunding, all fueling the next wave of commercial space ventures.
Venture capital firms keep pouring billions into space tourism companies. In 2017 alone, 120 funds invested $3.9 billion in commercial space companies. That kind of surge really shows how much confidence is building in the sector’s commercial future.
SpaceX leads the pack, pulling in over $10 billion through multiple funding rounds. Institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals seem eager to bet on reusable rockets and those wild Mars plans.
Blue Origin mostly relies on Jeff Bezos’s own fortune. He sells about $1 billion of Amazon stock every year to fund it. This self-funding gives the company stability, but it also means they miss out on some outside partnerships.
Virgin Galactic made history as the first publicly traded space tourism company. Its 2019 IPO raised $450 million, giving early investors a solid exit.
Angel investors play a big role in early-stage space tourism startups. They often bring more than just money—many end up as strategic advisors, helping companies navigate tricky regulations.
Investors still find it tough to assess risk in this industry. Long development cycles and shaky market demand make things uncertain. Still, successful test flights and government contracts keep attracting new funding.
Space tourism companies use all sorts of financing strategies to chase their ambitious goals. Debt financing through corporate bonds gives conservative investors fixed-income options, while founders keep control.
Government-backed bonds lower the risk for investors by offering federal guarantees. Pension funds and insurance companies like these for the stability.
Public-private partnerships split financial risk between government agencies and private companies. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is a good example—they pay SpaceX and Boeing for hitting development milestones.
Crowdfunding platforms let the public get involved directly. The Arkyd telescope project, for example, raised over $1.5 million from 17,000 backers. Clearly, people want a piece of the action.
Convertible bonds give investors a chance to turn debt into equity if things go well. It’s a nice mix of protection and upside.
Strategic partnerships with aerospace contractors bring in both cash and technical know-how. These deals often include shared IP and joint marketing.
Consumer interest in space tourism keeps growing. As ticket prices drop and safety records get better, more people start to pay attention. Some say the industry could hit multi-billion dollar valuations in the next decade.
Suborbital flights are the current entry point. Virgin Galactic charges $450,000 per seat, and Blue Origin’s New Shepard isn’t far off.
Orbital tourism is a different animal—SpaceX’s Crew Dragon missions can cost tens of millions per passenger. These trips to the International Space Station attract the ultra-wealthy looking for a real adventure.
Early adopters? Think tech entrepreneurs, celebrities, and professionals with deep pockets. For them, space travel is the ultimate luxury, and their enthusiasm drives media buzz.
Space hotels and lunar tourism could be next, but they’ll need massive investment up front. Axiom Space is already planning commercial space stations with private and government money.
Reusable rockets are changing the game. They’re slashing operational costs, so space tourism might actually become accessible to the middle class. As launch costs drop, demand should really take off.
Modern space missions need funding strategies that juggle huge upfront costs and uncertain returns. These days, government agencies and private companies use specialized structures to tackle the unique challenges of space exploration.
NASA and other agencies have shifted their models to include more commercial partnerships. The Commercial Crew Program, for example, shows how government funding can work with private companies to cut costs. NASA pays companies like SpaceX and Boeing for services instead of owning everything themselves.
Governments fund space missions through annual budgets. These budgets cover projects that last years, but they’re never guaranteed. Space agencies have to plan for shifting funding without derailing missions.
Federal programs also use cost-plus contracts—the government covers all development costs plus a fee. This works for risky research where costs are unpredictable. NASA used this model for the James Webb Space Telescope.
International partnerships help everyone share the burden. The International Space Station, for example, brings together funding and expertise from NASA, ESA, and others. Each agency contributes based on what they do best.
Private companies use venture debt and equity to fund missions with commercial promise. Astranis, for instance, has raised more than $500 million for satellite internet through a mix of venture rounds and debt.
Revenue-based financing lets space companies get funding based on future earnings from services like satellite data or cargo delivery. If a company has predictable income, this model can work well.
Some companies use asset-backed securities—they put up satellites or spacecraft as collateral for loans. If things go sideways, banks can recover the equipment, so they’re more willing to lend.
Launch providers offer rideshare programs that split launch costs among multiple customers. Instead of paying $60 million for a dedicated Falcon 9 launch, satellite operators might pay as little as $1 million.
A few companies rely on subscription models—customers pay monthly for satellite data or communications. This steady cash flow helps them get better financing terms.
Space companies keep coming up with new ways to raise money outside of banks and traditional venture capital. Now, regular folks can invest in space projects or buy digital tokens that represent a piece of space assets.
Anyone can invest in space companies through online crowdfunding platforms. This means startups can pull in cash from thousands of small backers, not just wealthy investors or banks.
Kickstarter and Indiegogo have hosted some interesting space projects. Copenhagen Suborbitals, for example, raised money for their amateur rocket program through crowdfunding. Space fans from all over chipped in.
Equity crowdfunding is a bit different from donations. Here, investors actually buy shares in space companies on platforms like StartEngine and SeedInvest. It lets regular people own a piece of the action.
Some space tourism companies use crowdfunding to see if there’s enough demand before they build expensive spacecraft. It’s a clever way to reduce financial risk.
The SEC sets limits on how much people can invest. Those with lower incomes have smaller caps, while wealthy investors can put in more.
Crowdfunding platforms take a cut—usually 3% to 8% of the total raised. Companies need to share business plans and financials with potential investors.
Digital tokens let investors own pieces of space assets like satellites or stations. These tokens act like digital proof of ownership, and people can trade them online.
Space bonds are a new twist—private space companies issue them, and investors lend money in exchange for interest. They work a lot like government bonds, just for space.
Blockchain tech makes it possible to split expensive assets into tiny, tradable pieces. Imagine a $100 million satellite divided into a million tokens, each worth $100. Suddenly, more people can get involved.
Some companies offer tokens tied to future space mining profits. Investors buy these hoping asteroid mining will eventually pay off.
Revenue-based financing gives companies cash now in return for a cut of future sales. This is handy for satellite companies expecting steady income.
Smart contracts handle payments and ownership changes automatically. These programs run investment deals without lawyers or banks, cutting costs for everyone.
The space investment market will probably grow a lot as these new tools mature and get regulatory approval.
Space financing isn’t for the faint of heart. The risks can wipe out investments, but when things work, the returns can reshape entire industries. The economic ripple effects go way beyond the original investment, reaching into job creation and new tech.
Space financing comes with challenges that traditional investors sometimes can’t handle. Technical failures can destroy millions in seconds. Remember the Antares rocket explosion in 2014? It wiped out $200 million in cargo just like that.
Regulatory changes add another headache. The FAA can change safety requirements mid-project, forcing companies to redesign systems. Blue Origin hit multiple delays when regulators asked for extra safety demonstrations before approving passenger flights.
Market demand is still a big question mark for a lot of ventures. Virgin Galactic, for example, has struggled to keep a steady flight schedule after years of development. Just because customers put down deposits doesn’t mean long-term profits are guaranteed—operational costs can easily overshoot projections.
Space investment also means waiting—sometimes five to ten years before seeing revenue. SpaceX took nearly two decades to hit consistent profitability.
Insurance costs pile on more risk. Launch insurance can run 5–15% of a payload’s value. One big failure can make future coverage crazy expensive or even impossible to get.
When space ventures finally work, the returns can be spectacular. SpaceX grew from a scrappy startup to a $140 billion company, thanks to strategic investment and government contracts.
The space economy now supports more than 350,000 jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and operations. NASA studies claim that every dollar invested in space generates about $7 in economic activity.
Spillover benefits are huge. GPS started as a space program and now powers $1.4 trillion in annual economic activity. Satellite communications make global commerce possible—worth trillions more.
Private companies have slashed launch costs by 90% through competition and innovation. Lower costs open up new markets for satellites, space manufacturing, and research.
Space financing also pulls in international capital and top talent. Countries compete to host space companies, building economic zones around spaceports. Texas, for example, put $25 million into SpaceX facilities, creating thousands of good jobs.
The space tourism market could hit $800 billion in annual revenue by 2030. Early investors in Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin could see substantial returns as the market matures.
Major space agencies control huge funding streams that shape how commercial spaceflight develops and how civilians get access to space. NASA leads the way with broad commercial partnerships, while ESA coordinates European efforts through multi-national funding.
NASA runs several funding programs that directly help commercial spaceflight companies serving civilian space tourists. The Commercial Crew Program handed out $6.8 billion to SpaceX and Boeing to develop spacecraft that can carry both astronauts and paying customers.
The Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program gave seed money to companies like SpaceX in their early days. Instead of cost-plus contracts, NASA prefers milestone-based payments.
Key NASA Commercial Programs:
NASA’s funding model keeps things competitive. Multiple companies work on similar capabilities, which drives costs down and improves safety. The agency keeps a close eye on things through strict certification, which ends up benefiting civilian travelers too.
The European Space Agency brings together space funding from 22 member countries through a mix of mandatory and optional programs. Each country chips in for basic science based on GDP, but when it comes to commercial space projects, nations pick and choose where they want to invest.
ESA puts a lot of its commercial spaceflight funding into building up European launch capabilities and transportation systems. The agency dropped €1.9 billion into the Ariane 6 rocket to make sure Europe keeps its access to space. This move also helps open the door to civilian missions from European launch sites.
ESA Funding Structure:
The Space Rider program gets a big chunk of ESA funding to work on reusable spacecraft tech. This automated orbital vehicle could one day back commercial projects, maybe even space tourism. ESA also backs spaceport upgrades in French Guiana and looks at teaming up with commercial tourism operators.
Human spaceflight programs eat up massive amounts of money—way more than most commercial projects. Government agencies and private companies both use a mix of funding strategies to keep astronaut missions and life support systems moving forward.
NASA stands at the front of global human spaceflight funding, with more than $10 billion going to its programs each year. The Commercial Crew Program really changed the game, showing how public and private groups can work together and share the financial load.
SpaceX landed $3.1 billion through NASA’s milestone-based approach for Dragon spacecraft development. This setup lets both sides share risk and keeps strict safety rules in place.
Traditional government funding covers:
Private companies add their own cash, plus venture capital, to government contracts. SpaceX, for example, poured billions of its own money into Falcon 9 and Dragon before NASA even signed on.
International partnerships help spread out the costs. The International Space Station proves that shared funding can keep humans in space for the long haul.
Life support systems need specialized funding because they’re complicated and have to be super safe. Environmental controls, radiation protection, and emergency systems all go through tons of testing and certification.
Critical funding areas include:
Research grants help universities and private labs push forward space medicine. NASA’s Human Research Program spends hundreds of millions every year studying microgravity effects on human physiology.
Private investors are starting to show up more, backing biotech companies focused on space. Startups working on radiation protection or bone density treatments are drawing in serious venture capital.
Manufacturing partnerships help cut costs for specialized gear. Boeing and Lockheed Martin use their existing aerospace know-how to build crew capsules and life support systems faster and cheaper.
Human spaceflight keeps moving forward thanks to a mix of government backing and private innovation. That blend is pushing space exploration to new places.
The space economy opens up all sorts of investment options, from public companies to creative crowdfunding platforms. Investors can get in through regular stocks or try out some of the newer funding methods.
Traditional markets give both everyday investors and big institutions plenty of ways to get involved. Public companies—think SpaceX suppliers, satellite operators, and aerospace giants—let you buy straight into the industry.
Exchange-traded funds focused on space tech offer a more diversified way in. These funds usually bundle companies working on satellite communications, rocket manufacturing, and space infrastructure.
Key Investment Categories:
Morgan Stanley predicts the global space industry might hit $1 trillion by 2040. Growth mostly comes from satellite broadband and cheaper launches.
If you’re thinking about investing, it pays to check which companies have strong NASA or space agency partnerships. Those deals often mean steady income and technical credibility.
Crowdfunding platforms let smaller investors back space ventures directly. These sites connect founders with people interested in early-stage space startups.
Equity crowdfunding gives investors a real stake in private space companies. Some platforms focus just on aerospace and space tech looking for their first big funding rounds.
Popular Crowdfunding Types:
Crowdfunding in space is risky—lots of startups don’t make it. Many never turn a profit or reach a successful exit.
Anyone thinking about it should look closely at the team, the market, and whether the company is following the rules. Due diligence really matters, especially with new tech and untested business models.
The space economy could hit $2 trillion by 2040—wild, right? Private companies are leading much of this, thanks to smart partnerships and falling launch costs. New tech like reusable rockets and mini satellites are changing how space projects get funded.
In 2023, the global space economy hit $570 billion, up 7.4% from the year before. Commercial revenues now make up almost 80% of all activity, showing just how much things have shifted from government to private hands.
Private companies are really powering this growth with reusable launch tech. SpaceX, Blue Origin, and United Launch Alliance have driven costs way down. Since 2019, launches have shot up, with 2,664 objects sent to space in 2023 alone.
Key Growth Drivers:
The types of investors have changed a lot, too. In 2021, 63% of space investors were new to the field—software venture funds, deep tech, even big companies from media and insurance.
Regulations are getting a facelift. Executive orders in 2025 are expected to cut red tape and boost commercial projects and infrastructure.
Reusable launch systems are making spaceflight cheaper and more common. SpaceX’s rockets come back for more missions, slashing costs. Blue Origin’s New Glenn and New Shepard are opening the door for more people and cargo.
Miniaturized satellites make manufacturing and launches cheaper. Small satellites need less expensive rockets and can piggyback with other payloads, spreading out the costs.
Technology Cost Reductions:
Better propulsion systems make deep space missions possible without breaking the bank. These advances mean longer missions with less fuel, which draws in both government and private investment.
All these tech improvements unlock new ways to finance space projects. Companies can finally justify investments that used to be out of reach. This tech base is a big reason why people think the space economy could really reach $2 trillion.
Financing for space travel involves billions from governments and a growing pile from private investors. Right now, global spending is about $92 billion a year, with the U.S. leading thanks to NASA’s budget and commercial deals.
Global space exploration spending sits at around $92 billion each year. The U.S. leads with about $25 billion annually through NASA.
China comes next, spending roughly $11 billion per year. Russia puts about $3 billion into space through Roscosmos.
The European Space Agency adds around $7 billion a year. Private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic bring in several billion more in commercial investment.
NASA’s yearly budget is less than 3% of total U.S. defense spending. The Department of Defense gets about $800 billion, while NASA gets around $25 billion.
So, military spending is over 30 times higher than space exploration funding. Back in the Apollo era, NASA got nearly 4.5% of the federal budget.
Today, NASA’s share is down to about 0.5% of total federal spending. The agency has to pull off deep space missions and commercial partnerships with far fewer resources than the military.
Since 1958, the U.S. has put about $650 billion into space exploration (adjusted for inflation). The Apollo program alone used up around $280 billion in today’s dollars.
The Space Shuttle program cost about $200 billion over 30 years. The International Space Station is a $150 billion project shared with international partners.
Commercial crew programs have added $8 billion more in recent years. These investments led to huge tech advances—GPS, weather prediction, and satellite communications all came out of space programs.
Each American taxpayer pays about $75 a year for NASA. That’s roughly $6 per month for all space activities.
A typical household spends about $150 a year to support space programs. That covers everything from Mars rovers to commercial crew flights and deep space telescopes.
The cost is less than what most folks spend on coffee in two weeks. It’s also much less than what people pay for many other government programs.
NASA’s economic impact is big: every dollar invested brings back $7 to $14 in economic benefits. That comes from tech innovation, new jobs, and a growing commercial space industry.
Private companies have invested over $15 billion in commercial space since 2000. SpaceX tops the list with more than $7 billion from investors and government contracts.
Blue Origin has pulled in about $4 billion, mostly from Jeff Bezos. Virgin Galactic raised over $1 billion through public markets and private money.
NASA contracts for commercial crew transportation give SpaceX and Boeing $8 billion. Cargo resupply missions add another $14 billion in government contracts.
Private astronaut missions now bring in new revenue. Axiom Space charges about $55 million per seat for ISS visits.
Space tourism companies are inventing new ways to fund flights. Virgin Galactic sells suborbital tickets for $450,000 apiece, and Blue Origin offers similar experiences at similar prices.
Space industry analysts think global spending could hit $140 billion a year by 2030. Most of this growth will probably come from commercial space activities.
NASA might see its budget climb to $30 billion annually to back the Artemis lunar missions. The agency aims to send astronauts back to the Moon before the decade ends.
Private space investment could top $25 billion each year within ten years. Space tourism, satellite constellations, and commercial space stations are all fueling this surge.
Low Earth orbit commercialization marks a big funding shift. NASA plans to become just one customer among many for space station services instead of running its own facility.
International space budgets keep rising fast. China wants to boost its space spending a lot for lunar and Mars missions. European countries are also putting more money into their space programs.
