Vast Space seeks to diversify by building satellites as well as space stations

"Historically, in the United States, a handful of large companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Maxar, and Sierra Space have manufactured medium and large satellites. Typically these were costly and often bespoke designs that cost tens to often hundreds of millions of dollars."

"The US government's Space Development Agency has signaled that it prefers proliferated constellations-many satellites spread out present less of a concentrated target than a few larger and more expensive satellites. With the Falcon 9 rocket's increased cadence, as well as rideshare missions, it became easier and sometimes cheaper to get smaller and medium-size satellites into orbit."

"This has led to an influx of venture capital to back a new generation of companies seeking to build less expensive, more modular satellites that could fill a variety of purposes. There are several prominent, relatively new entrants in this area including K2 Space, Rocket Lab, True Anomaly, Blue Canyon, and Millennium Space Systems."

"Haot said most of these companies are still emerging, with products that are not yet mature. In other words, he believes that if Vast Space can execute, it could become a market leader, especially with applications that are power-hungry. Vast has already invested $1 billion in facilities for spacecraft manufacturing, including clean rooms, which can be used for space stations as well as satellites, he said."

Vast is launching a new product line as the satellite market becomes more crowded. Large US manufacturers have historically built costly, bespoke medium and large satellites, often costing tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Recent shifts favor proliferated constellations, where many smaller satellites reduce concentrated targeting risk. Increased launch cadence and rideshare options have made it easier and sometimes cheaper to place smaller and medium satellites into orbit. Venture capital has flowed into companies building less expensive, modular satellites for multiple uses. Many entrants remain early-stage with immature products, so execution could determine leadership. Vast has invested $1 billion in spacecraft manufacturing facilities, including clean rooms, and targets power-hungry applications. Satellite counts have surged from about 4,000 to about 14,000 in five years, with projections reaching hundreds of thousands within a decade.

Read at Ars Technica