The 2026 VivaTech festival has highlighted a significant shift in the global aerospace sector, as startups and technology giants alike have entered the new space economy – a sector previously dominated by government agencies. Marta Oliveira, Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at Atmos Space Cargo, discussed reusable rockets, raising money in the private sector and international competition in the 21st century space race.
Marta Oliveira, Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at Atmos Space Cargo, emphasized during the event that the 21st-century space race is defined by cost-efficiency and frequency. According to industry analysis, the ability to recover and relaunch launch vehicles significantly lowers the barrier to entry for private companies seeking to place assets in low-Earth orbit. This shift reflects broader trends in the global space sector, where entities have demonstrated the operational feasibility of landing and refurbishing orbital hardware, a process that was historically restricted to theoretical research or limited government testing.
The economic implications of this transition are substantial. As private investment flows into the sector, the focus has moved toward creating sustainable, high-cadence launch schedules. The current competitive landscape is marked by a race to secure private funding, as startups look to scale their operations to meet the growing demand for satellite constellations and scientific research platforms. For investors, the appeal lies in the potential for long-term recurring revenue models, provided that technical reliability in reusable systems remains high.
The Shift to Private Aerospace
For decades, the global space economy was synonymous with the budgets and mandates of government agencies. The current environment at events like VivaTech demonstrates that this paradigm has fundamentally changed. Startups are no longer merely contractors for government entities; they are now acting as service providers for a diverse array of commercial clients, ranging from telecommunications firms to Earth-observation companies.
The transition toward private-sector dominance is partly fueled by the maturation of reusable rocket technology. By reducing the cost per kilogram of payload delivered to orbit, these companies are unlocking new business cases that were previously deemed too expensive. This development is not occurring in a vacuum; it is supported by global policy efforts to streamline commercial space licensing and international cooperation on orbital safety.
Commercial Viability and Reusability
The technical challenge of reusability involves more than just rocket recovery; it requires a sophisticated supply chain capable of inspecting, refurbishing, and recertifying components for subsequent flights. Companies are currently investing heavily in automated manufacturing and advanced materials to ensure that their hardware can withstand the rigors of multiple launches. The capital expenditure required for this research and development is significant, leading to a concentrated effort to secure venture capital and private equity.
Marta Oliveira’s focus on the commercial aspects of space cargo highlights the reality that space is becoming an extension of the terrestrial logistics network. Just as shipping companies manage global freight, the new space economy seeks to manage orbital assets with similar precision. The international competition for these contracts is intense, with firms across Europe, Asia, and North America vying for leadership in launch services. This competition is expected to drive further innovation, as companies seek to differentiate themselves through superior reliability, lower costs, or specialized orbital delivery orbits.
Global Implications and Next Steps
The rapid expansion of the space economy brings new regulatory and geopolitical challenges. International agreements are being tested by the sheer volume of private activity. Nations are currently navigating how to update national legislation to accommodate these changes while ensuring that orbital environments remain safe for all participants.
As the sector moves forward, the next critical checkpoint for the industry will be the upcoming series of orbital test flights scheduled by various private launch providers later this year. These missions are expected to provide further data on the longevity of reusable components and the overall cost-efficiency of current launch architectures. Industry stakeholders are also awaiting updates on international standards for orbital debris mitigation.
The evolution of the space sector is an ongoing process that continues to redefine the relationship between private innovation and public policy. As companies scale their operations, the focus will likely remain on balancing rapid technological advancement with the necessity of maintaining a sustainable orbital environment. Readers interested in the latest developments are encouraged to monitor updates from their respective national space agencies and the official portals of major commercial space entities.