Erik Kulu

Curious about factories in space, space settlement, startups and future. ex-ESTCube-1 spaceship captain.

[NewSpace Index @NewSpaceIndex]

Over 35 satellite constellations launched their first prototypes or batches in 2023. While most of the constellations have been slow to scale-up, new ones keep coming. From new and existing companies. And 2024 could be even bigger. See more at https://t.co/kcUIAZFzmo. #newspace

[NewSpace Index @NewSpaceIndex]

Only 3 small rockets had maiden flights in 2023. ABL's RS1, Relativity's Terran 1 and Space Pioneer's Tianlong-2. However, the first two failed to reach orbit, Terran 1 was retired and none have yet launched again. Tracking 43 first flights for 2024, but most will not make it.

[Nanosats Database @nanosatellites]

2000 CubeSats were surpassed in early 2023. It took close to 4 years to reach the second thousand, compared to almost 16 years for the first thousand.

First CubeSats: 2003-03-30
1000 CubeSats: 2018-12-16
2000 CubeSats: 2023-01-03
2323 Cubesats: 2023-12-31

[Nanosats Database @nanosatellites]

A record 396 nanosatellites were launched in 2023! That is 365 CubeSats, 20 PocketQubes, 5 other nanosats and 6 other picosatellites. A few may be missing or unclear. @Planet again leads with 72, followed by Swarm with 24 and @Spire with 22 CubeSats. Almost 75% flew on Falcon-9.

[Erik Kulu @erikkulu]

Send your name to Jupiter! #MessageInABottle https://t.co/TpyqBlyqav

[Aravind 🌍 🛰 @aravindEO]

Pretty insightful report on the small launcher market!

Fun fact: Out of the 180 in total, there are 73 registered companies, just in the US🤯 Absolutely insane!!

cc @LionnetPierre @John__Holst

https://t.co/gK61L7icN9

[John Jossy @JohnJossy1957]

Thanks @erikkulu for your awesome Factories in Space, the largest public database of emerging in-space manufacturing companies helping to enable #spacesettlement https://t.co/61cxMR3u3G

[Pierre Lionnet @LionnetPierre]

Haven't yet had the time to read it in full, but this is an excellent paper on #smallsats and @constellations.
https://t.co/Q6loGGPG3C - thank you @erikkulu

[Joe Morrison @mouthofmorrison]

This is an absurdly impressive compendium of information about new space satellite constellations, launch providers, and the VCs funding them. The constellation section alone is mind-boggling. Couldn't find any EO constellations that were missing. https://t.co/gkHkgpzHwQ

[Erik Kulu @erikkulu]

Space: The Next Tech Industry Frontier?
https://t.co/SZAVRJse8d

[Steve Jurvetson @FutureJurvetson]

SpaceX Share of Smallsats Launched 🚀

Pretty incredible. Despite 150 contenders: https://t.co/xI2M3BB26b

[Erik Kulu @erikkulu]

Manufacturing In Outer Space: Not Such A Far-Out Idea https://t.co/rfrLmITagg

[Aerospace Capital @aerospacecap]

2 SC of @KeplerComms are integrated with the @isis_space deployer for the #Soyuz-2 launch. Kepler has 13 🛰️ in orbit and they continue to build out constellation to bring in the Internet to space to provide real-time communications to other 🛰️, space stations, LV's & habitats.

[Filling Space @fillingspace_]

A fun interview with @erikkulu of the @SpaceFactories website. In-space manufacturing is an exciting prospect!

https://t.co/MEWH03JKmV

[Steve Jurvetson @FutureJurvetson]

@jeff_foust Yeah... here is one of the slides I showed with a lot of data: https://t.co/xI2M3BB26b

Note: 154 companies listed, and with cost/kg forecasts that are much higher than the $5K/kg EDLP listed by SpaceX. An Starship should lower costs another 10x.

[Erik Kulu @erikkulu]

"Statistical Look at Mars Companies in 2020" - Factories in Space - 23rd Annual International Mars Society Convention https://t.co/pn008JXzCk @SpaceFactories #factoriesinspace

[Erik Kulu @erikkulu]

One more nicely done

[Kepler Communications @KeplerComms]

TARS has launched successfully! Kepler’s 6U satellite has launched on the Vega rocket, and the health of the satellite has been confirmed. A huge congratulations to everyone involved. Read the press release below. https://t.co/1BNTJHxS6D

[Erik Kulu @erikkulu]

Great to have @RocketRick in Estonia! Love his quote "We see our civilization at crossroads, down one path is a future of limits to growth, environmental degradation and ultimately extinction. Down the other path lie limitless growth, a pristine earth and open frontier in space."