Introduction

Space Capital is a leading early-stage venture capital investor that frequently publishes research on the space economy to attract and educate investors, entrepreneurs, and engineers. I approached Space Capital with a proposal to write a report about SpaceX's newest rocket, Starship, and in the spring of 2024, I was able to do just that. In collaboration with Partner Justus Kilian, I set out to answer two fundamental questions: why does Starship matter and how will it impact the space economy?  

Methods

The research process involved conducting over 25 interviews with senior space professionals, including CEOs, NASA scientists, and DoD Chief Scientists, and surveying over 100 trusted stakeholders. Using Space Capital's network along with my own, we were able to learn how top minds were thinking about Starship, and from there we developed several key theses. 

Results

Using this research, I created a structural framework for the piece and then wrote the 40-page "The Next Giant Leap" report. In the report, we explore the unprecedented opportunity that SpaceX's Starship rocket presents for engineers and entrepreneurs, empowering them to redefine what is possible in space and back here on Earth. From our many surveys and interviews with top industry leaders, we distilled key insights to provide more clarity to the ongoing discussion of how Starship will shape the technologies of the future, ranging from space stations and in-space production to mega-constellations of satellites. Starship will shift the engineering paradigm and usher in a new era of spaceflight. 

Some key takeaways:

• Starship Wake-Up Call: Most of the space economy is not prepared for Starship

• Paradigm Shift: Starship will transform the way spacecraft are designed

• Dreams vs. Reality: Many exciting potential use cases need to balance what is technically feasible and what is actually marketable

• Current Launch Costs are Here to Stay: Despite hopes for much cheaper launches, the reality is that three dominant anchor customers are going to keep prices elevated for the foreseeable future

Links to report and accompanying podcast episode:

Sample of Executive Summary and Contents: