I am a space enthusiast, and I have seen the space industry undergo many changes over the years.

One thing that remains constant is the demand for sending satellites into space.

However, in recent times, the industry has been facing a funding crisis, which has led to rocket startups taking drastic measures to survive.

Investors are shying away from the sector due to a lack of clear revenue streams or a path to profitability.

This is partly due to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes, which have raised the cost of capital.

Consequently, many space startups are struggling to secure funds. Venture investment in space startups has dropped by 50% year-over-year in 2022, to $21.9 billion, according to VC firm Space Capital.

As a result of the funding crisis, startups are taking measures to ensure their survival.

Texas-based Firefly Aerospace is trying to mass-produce its medium-sized rocket while developing a larger launcher under a new partnership with Northrop Grumman.

The company celebrated its Alpha rocket’s orbital debut last October and tried to raise $300 million by year-end to become cash-flow positive.

However, by mid-February, it had only raised $30 million. The failure of billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit, which filed for bankruptcy this month, has only added to the pressure on rivals trying to keep up with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and the Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture, United Launch Alliance.

Relativity Space is another startup that has made changes to its rocket lineup.

The company said last week that it was ditching its centerpiece small rocket, Terran 1, for a larger planned rocket, Terran R.

The decision was made because demand for small rockets had faded. The bigger rocket’s planned debut in 2026 will leave the company without any missions for roughly three years, but the CEO, Tim Ellis, said he is not worried about future funding.

Astra Space, which ditched its small Rocket 3.3 for a planned, larger Rocket 4 in the next few years, has struggled to bring its stock price above $1, facing delisting threats from Nasdaq.

The company declined to comment on its financial struggles.

Despite the startups’ struggles, launch demand has soared after sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine cut off access to Russian rockets.

Recent failures with Europe’s Arianespace’s Vega-C rocket have added to demand in the U.S., outstripping the number of available rockets.

Private plans to deploy mega-constellations, vast swarms of satellites in low-Earth orbit, have also given launch startups hope for future demand.

Shared missions to space on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets, a cheaper, so-called rideshare option for satellite companies that helped kill the business case for small rockets, have taken some of that demand, but much of it remains.

As an enthusiast, I can attest that the space industry is undergoing a massive transformation.

The industry is now behaving as a more rational, capitalistic industry, says Erich Fischer, a senior partner at Bain and Co who advises space companies.

It’s never behaved that way before, ever.

In conclusion, the space industry is facing a funding crisis, which has led to rocket startups taking drastic measures to survive.

Venture investment in space startups has dropped, and investors are shying away from the sector due to a lack of clear revenue streams or a path to profitability.

Despite these challenges, launch demand has soared, and private plans to deploy mega-constellations have given launch startups hope for future demand.

It remains to be seen how the industry will adapt to the current challenges, but one thing is certain: the space industry will continue to transform and evolve over time.