2024 in Space: What’s Next for 2025?
From SpaceX’s historic Starship catch to Europe’s IRIS² gamble—highlights, predictions, and jobs to kickstart your 2025.
Welcome to Aerospace Insider 🚀
In this week’s issue, we’re diving into the latest and greatest from Europe’s booming space sector. Big things are happening!
Today’s summary:
🚀 Aerospace News: ESA is moving forward to 2025 and China raising big money before the end of the year.
💼 Top Space Jobs: Get your dream job before the end of the year!
🔍 Deep Dive: 2024 a year in review… My predictions for 2025
Aerospace Weekly Roundup
Catch the latest European space industry highlights you can't afford to miss!
💶 ESA approves €7.7B preliminary 2025 budget
ESA’s Council has approved an initial €7.7B budget for 2025, slightly lower than 2024's €7.79B. The finalized budget is expected to increase once additional contributions from member states, including the UK, are confirmed. Earth Observation, Navigation, and Space Transportation remain top funding priorities. Read more here.
🛰 Chinese space company secures $137M to advance megaconstellation
Shanghai Gesi Aerospace Technology (also known as Genesat), a satellite manufacturer for China’s Thousand Sails megaconstellation, raised over 1 billion yuan ( ~$137M) in Series A+ funding. This funding will support R&D, manufacturing, and expansion. Established in 2022, Genesat focuses on building satellites for the Qianfan project, aiming for global connectivity with a planned 14,000-satellite constellation. To date, 56 satellites are in orbit. The press release is worth reading… 😉
📡 World-first direct 5G link to LEO satellite achieved
ESA and Telesat have successfully connected a LEO satellite to the ground using 5G Non-Terrestrial Network technology in the Ka-band frequency range. This milestone enables space-based connections to function like mobile networks, paving the way for real-time, interactive applications. The breakthrough promises to transform emergency response, rural healthcare, and remote industrial operations.
🚀 Landspace secures $123M for reusable rockets
Chinese startup Landspace raised $123M to develop its Zhuque reusable rockets. In November, it launched the Zhuque-2 and tested the larger Zhuque-3 for vertical landing. Zhuque-3’s first orbital launch is set for 2025, with reusability planned for 2026. This rocket will help China launch heavier payloads and support satellite megaconstellations.
Space Jobs Spotlight 🔍
Curated roles to accelerate your career in Europe’s thriving space sector.
🚀 Internships & Graduates
Mechanical Engineer Intern — The Exploration Company (Toulouse 🇫🇷)
Aerodynamics Intern — Airbus (Madrid 🇪🇸)
💼 Space Jobs (ranked by experience)
Junior HSE Specialist — Isar Aerospace (Andøya 🇳🇴)
Fluidics Engineer — Pangea Aerospace (Barcelona 🇪🇸)
Mission Analysis and Flight Dynamics Engineer — Deimos (Madrid 🇪🇸)
Fleet Operations Engineer — Eutelsat OneWeb (London 🇬🇧)
Power Electronics Engineer — Exotrail (Massy 🇫🇷)
Space Project Manager — Alén Space (Nigrán 🇪🇸)
GNC Engineer — Isar Aerospace (Ottobrunn 🇩🇪)
Functional Test Platform Engineer — The Exploration Company (Munich 🇩🇪)
Bid Manager — Astroscale (Didcot 🇬🇧)
Senior Systems Engineer — Exotrail (Massy 🇫🇷)
🔥 Special Opportunities
Apply to become a Prospero Space Fellow (hurry before applications close!)
Like these jobs or think something is missing? Hit ‘reply’ and let me know!
The Space Industry in 2024: A Year in Review and Bold Predictions for 2025
The year 2024 was packed with milestones for the space industry. Here’s a look at some key moments from 2024 and what might be in store for 2025.
2024: Highlights of the Year
1. SpaceX’s Starship launch and catch
Everyone watched this. Or should have. In case you have not, please stop reading and watch this.
SpaceX amazed everyone with Starship’s successful launch and booster catch on the first try. A second away from aborting, they did what was thought impossible. No wonder they are the absolute leaders of the space industry nowadays.
2. Falcon 9 sets (another) launch record
SpaceX ended the year with another Falcon 9 launch. This makes 134 successful Falcon 9 launches in 2024. Of these, 89 missions were dedicated to expanding Starlink, helping to solidify SpaceX's dominance in the commercial launch market. Adding to this two Falcon Heavy and four Starship launches, the total is a staggering 140 launches this year.
3. Ariane 6 inaugural launch
Europe’s Ariane 6 launched successfully in July, but it’s still unclear whether it can compete with the likes of SpaceX. The launch was a step in the right direction, but the true test will come as it faces a fast-moving market. Europe is betting in rocket reusability but is still years behind SpaceX.
4. Starliner flight test
A picture is worth a thousand words, haha.
5. IRIS² project kicks off
I could not include this in the list. I have already shared my opinion on this topic before… but it shows Europe’s way of approaching innovation.
The IRIS² project aims to rival Starlink but faces an uphill battle (to put it nicely). With €10.6 billion and 300 satellites, it’s a bold move for Europe (not really), but in a crowded market. Its chances of success remain uncertain, not to say inexistent. It will be fun to follow this project closely.
What’s Next in 2025?
Looking ahead, here are five predictions for what might happen in the space industry in 2025:
1. Starship’s upper stage catch
After having demonstrated the booster catch and the soft splashdown of Starship’s upper stage, SpaceX’s next challenge is successfully catching the upper stage. I’m tempted to say that there will be a tower kaboom this year… but I really hope this is not the case. No matter what, get ready for some action this 2025.
2. New Glenn inaugural launch
Blue Origin will soon launch it’s New Glenn rocket, as they have already completed the static fire test and have FAA approval. My guess is that they will not manage to successfully land the main booster on the barge on their first try… but they will reach orbit (which is the first goal of a rocket, let’s not forget).
As an added bonus: RocketLab’s Neutron will not launch in 2025.
3. Starlink will keep dominating
Despite IRIS2, Kuiper, Telesat, OneWeb, Rivada and all the chinese megaconstellations, Starlink will continue to grow and dominate the satellite telecoms market.
4. Two Ariane 6 launches in one year?
No chance.
5. European private rocket company launch
This might not be the most positive one but Europe’s private rocket ambitions will try to reach orbit but I believe will not manage to do so on its first try. I believe that we will not see a private rocket company reach orbit this year. Reach ‘space’, yes; but ‘orbit’, my guess is nope, sorry.
Wrapping Up
The space industry made impressive progress in 2024, and 2025 looks just as promising.
The US, with Jareed Isaacman now leading NASA is set to keep it’s space industry dominance.
China seems to not stop working on growing and advancing it’s space capabilities (just look at the two latest funding rounds before the end of the year).
Europe sees itself progressively left behind. There’s a growing concern and stuff is being done but let’s see. Hopefully 2025 will be a transition year for Europe: from space industry observer to space industry player. But it’s going to be tough, that’s my bet.
As a PS, it’s quite complicated to only make 5 short predictions but there are many more that could be added:
For instance, we will probably see consolidation in the small satellite launch market as competition intensifies. Some smaller launch companies might merge or be acquired as the market matures and companies struggle to achieve sustainable launch cadence.
We will see some progress in the commercial space station race. I have not yet delved to much into this topic but the race is heating up to come up with the best (and first!) substitute of the ISS. (Another bonus: it will not be retired in 2030, want to bet?)
Did not mention anything related to the Lunar missions. But things will happen. Will Starship manage to perform a propellant transfer between two Starships in 2025?
And so many more… So please be patient. I try my best to share everything with you but I can’t write a book each week to keep you updated 🤷
What do you think?
Poll of the week
Thanks for reading Aerospace Insider.
Remember to share this newsletter with anyone who might find it interesting. Don’t forget to apply to the jobs here and get in touch if you need anything or have any suggestions! I’m here to provide the best newsletter for you.
And connect with me on LinkedIn here.
To your success,
Jaime