Second Moon, First Lesson: Don’t Let Space Opportunities Pass You By

Before we dive in, don’t miss the insider scoop at the bottom—hear a bold take on ‘space junk.’ You’ll want to scroll down to get the full hot take!

Welcome to the Launchpad Newsletter, where next-gen entrepreneurs come to dominate the New Space Economy.

This isn’t just a newsletter—it’s your front-row seat to the political, economic, and social shifts driven by innovators like you who are reshaping the future of space.

Ready to blast off into the week’s most game-changing insights? Let’s dive into what’s powering the future for next-gen space entrepreneurs.

This Week’s Next-Gen Newsflash

🌕 Earth’s Second Moon... A Reminder That Space Opportunities Don’t Stick Around

💸 ESA’s $19M Experiment: How Crashing Satellites Could Shape the Future of Small Space Businesses

⛈️ Watch Hurricane Helene From Space: See Stunning Views of the Storm’s Approach

🌶️ Hot Take: The Real Problem with Space Isn't Junk—It's the Obsession with Big Tech Over Small Entrepreneurs

Earth’s Second Moon... A Reminder That Space Opportunities Don’t Stick Around

This weekend, Earth is about to get some brief company—a "second moon." But don’t get too excited. 

NASA scientists have labeled this visitor a “mini-moon,” asteroid 2024 PT5. It’s only going to stick around until November 25, like a fleeting business opportunity in the fast-moving space economy.

On Sunday, September 29, Earth’s gravity will temporarily capture this small space rock. While our actual moon has been around for 4 billion years, this mini-moon is just a temporary guest. 

What Does This Mean for Next-Gen Space Entrepreneurs?

In the space industry, opportunities can be as fleeting as this mini-moon. 

Today’s "big thing" might not stick around tomorrow, and the real winners are those who can act fast and innovate. 

For example:

- Short-Lived Markets: Think about dropshipping during the solar eclipse in 2017. Tens of thousands of people jumped on the trend to sell solar eclipse glasses, raking in millions during a small window of opportunity. It’s the same concept—seeing a unique celestial event and turning it into a quick profit before the moment passes.

- Small but Mighty Niches: Much like how this mini-moon is tiny compared to our actual moon (only 37 feet wide vs. the moon’s 2,159 miles), small, under-the-radar opportunities in space can turn into significant gains if seized early. Perhaps you’re developing software for asteroid tracking or satellite deorbiting—these niche markets could explode just as quickly as this mini-moon enters and leaves.

Why It Matters

This mini-moon might not make headlines like other space events, but it’s a perfect metaphor for how quickly space opportunities come and go. 

As a next-gen space entrepreneur, your success depends on recognizing and acting on these fleeting chances.

So while the mini-moon will soon be gone, ask yourself: What space opportunities are orbiting your business right now? How fast can you capitalize before they disappear?

Can You See It?

While the idea of a second moon might sound cool, don’t expect to see it lighting up the night sky. 

This asteroid is tiny—only about 37 feet wide. Compare that to our moon, which spans a whopping 2,159 miles across, and you realize this mini-moon is more like a pebble in space. 

For context, our moon is over 308,000 times bigger!

Unfortunately, it’s way too small and dim for the average skywatcher. 

So, no, you won’t catch this mini-moon in your backyard telescope. 

However, professional astronomers with high-powered telescopes will try to snap a few pictures for the rest of us. 

Think of it like the difference between taking a selfie on your phone versus using a professional camera—this is a job for the pros.

In the end, asteroid 2024 PT5 will continue on its way, leaving us with our regular old moon. 

But for a few weeks, Earth gets a tiny, temporary companion in space. It’s not every day we get to say we’ve got two moons, even if one is just stopping by for a quick visit.

ESA’s $19M Experiment: How Crashing Satellites Could Shape the Future of Small Space Businesses

The European Space Agency (ESA) just dropped $19 million on a deal with Deimos to create a satellite designed to crash and burn. 

But this isn’t a catastrophe waiting to happen—it’s a controlled experiment to figure out how satellites break apart during re-entry, with the goal of preventing space debris disasters in the future.

Why Should You Care?

If you’re a next-gen space entrepreneur, you’re probably wondering: How does a $19M experiment by the ESA affect me or my small space business?

Here’s the thing: as the space industry grows, more satellites are being launched each year—meaning more space junk is floating up there, waiting to cause issues. 

Understanding how satellites re-enter the atmosphere (and break apart) isn’t just relevant for governments or mega-corporations. 

If you’re working on a small satellite or even dreaming of deploying your own CubeSat, these developments are crucial to your success. 

Why? 

Because regulatory bodies are tightening rules on space debris, and if you’re not ahead of the curve, you’ll face massive hurdles when trying to launch and scale.

This mission is all about creating smarter satellite design to minimize risk—something even small startups need to consider. 

Your satellite could eventually be part of this space ecosystem, so understanding how re-entry impacts your tech (or your bottom line) could be the difference between success and failure.

The Next-Gen Space Business Play

While big agencies like ESA are pouring millions into solutions like DRACO, small businesses can capitalize on this shift in a different way. 

Whether it’s developing satellite components, creating re-entry solutions, or providing data services that analyze space debris—there’s a growing demand for small, innovative companies that can solve these emerging challenges. 

Plus, these advancements in re-entry tech might open doors for commercial partnerships or new business models. 

Imagine being able to offer a service that helps other companies safely de-orbit their satellites without leaving harmful debris. 

That’s a niche market right there.

What the $19M Means for the Future

ESA’s investment in DRACO isn’t just a flashy experiment. It’s part of a broader trend that next-gen entrepreneurs need to pay attention to: the focus on sustainability in space.

As space becomes more crowded, businesses that can address sustainability issues—like preventing satellite collisions and managing re-entry—will be in high demand.

So, the real question is: Are you positioning your space startup to be part of this new frontier, or are you ignoring a rapidly emerging market that could leave you behind? 

With the rise in satellite launches, understanding and adapting to these developments isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity for next-gen space entrepreneurs who want to thrive in the New Space Economy.

Watch Hurricane Helene From Space: See Stunning Views of the Storm’s Approach

Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, barreled toward Florida’s Gulf Coast—and NASA gave us a rare front-row seat. Cameras aboard the International Space Station (ISS) captured breathtaking footage of the storm from orbit. 

You can catch a replay of this incredible view of Helene as it neared landfall by watching NASA’s livestream.

🚀 Why Should You Care?

Whether you're a next-gen space entrepreneur or just fascinated by extreme weather events, this is an opportunity to witness cutting-edge space tech in action. Satellites and space stations aren’t just for astronauts—they’re invaluable tools for tracking and understanding real-world threats like Helene. 

Watching this video is a reminder of how space-based systems play a critical role in keeping us informed and prepared.

🌪️ Watch the ISS Fly Over Hurricane Helene:

Get a bird’s-eye view of the storm’s massive scale as it churns toward Florida. 

The ISS captured the moments live, and you can watch a replay right now on NASA’s YouTube or via the NASA+ streaming service.

👉 Watch the full video here

New Worlds isn’t just another event. 
It’s the launchpad for the boldest ideas in the universe—and you can be there to witness it all.

Why You Can’t Miss This:

👉 Limited Tickets—We’re keeping this intimate for a reason. Real conversations happen in smaller groups. This way, you’re not just a face in the crowd—you’re someone who actually gets to connect with the people driving the future of space exploration.

👉 Your Free Ticket to the Space Cowboy Ball—Not just any party. The most talked-about celebration in the galaxy. Costumes, celebrities, and one unforgettable night that you won’t want to miss.

👉 Networking Like Never Before—This isn’t a business card exchange. This is the place where partnerships are born, visions take flight, and you become part of something much bigger. Be there when it happens.

The future of space exploration starts here. But here’s the thing—will you be there?

Don’t sit on the sidelines. Be part of the story.