What’s Really Driving the Space Industry Right Now?

Q4 2025 wasn’t just another quarter; it may go down as one of the most pivotal in the modern space economy. Between Blue Origin’s New Glenn landing, massive defense-driven capital inflows, and the looming SpaceX IPO, the space startup ecosystem is facing new opportunities and new challenges at every turn.

In this episode, Brian Mejeur of AdAstra Talent Advisors, Matt Gjertsen of Better Every Day Studios, and Justus Kilian of Space Capital review the quarter’s key developments. They discuss what the new launch vehicles mean for the industry, how recent investments affect companies, and why these events matter for founders, investors, and anyone following space startups.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just interested in space, this episode gives a clear, practical look at recent milestones, financial trends, and talent dynamics, and what they could mean for the industry going forward.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Introduction & Q4 2025 space industry overview

[00:58] Blue Origin New Glenn landing: What it means for launch markets

[06:38] What K2 Space’s funding means for founders

[07:50] Golden Dome defense program & implications for space startups

[10:56] SpaceX IPO talk and what it means for founders

[15:05] Emerging commercial opportunities in space: data centers & manufacturing

[18:02] The competition heating up in the launch market

[19:15] IPO liquidity as a catalyst for Mars and deep-space ambitions

Episode Takeaways:

Abundant launch is closer than ever, but landing is only the first step; cadence and refurbishment will define real market impact.

Capital is flowing in multiple directions, and defense-focused funding introduces both opportunity and risk for commercial players.

Liquidity unlocks talent: IPOs and equity events could spark a new wave of founder-driven innovation.

New markets demand new thinking: From space-based data centers to mission design, founders must reconsider traditional constraints.

Execution remains key: Technical milestones matter, but real-world deployment and economics will separate winners from hype.

Subscribe to VHTB for more insights on space startups, talent, and finance, and follow along as we track how these trends continue into 2026.

Resources & Links:

Space Capital

Better Every Day Studios

AdAstra Talent Advisors

VHTB Podcast Channel