QUILTY QUICKTAKES
Quilty QuickTakes provide short-form analysis on the latest developments in the space sector as they unfold. Click on any QuickTake below to enjoy these complimentary, five-minute reads.
The perils of going public too early
During the heyday of the 2020-2022 SPAC investment bubble, more than a dozen space companies filed to go public, ranging from established players like Planet and Spire to early-stage, pre-revenue startups.
What the Planet Layoffs Say about the State of Earth Observation
In June, Earth Observation (EO) company Planet announced a 17% workforce reduction, shedding around 180 employees in the company’s second round of layoffs in just over a year.
Broader Implications of Airbus’ Struggling Space Business
Last week, Airbus announced it was taking a €900 million charge in its Space Systems business.
VHR Imagery Coming into Focus with Maxar’s Legion Launch
Very high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery, defined as 50cm or better resolution, has historically been a rare and prized resource.
What does an NRO LEO constellation mean for the EO sector?
After watching startups launch dozens to hundreds of small imaging satellites in Low Earth Orbit, the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office is getting in on the action.
India wants its own EO constellation: implications
India has established itself as a global space power primarily through launch vehicles, navigation, and communications satellites.
A Tale of Two (Almost) SPACs
For two years, space startups and other high-tech, early-stage companies sought mergers with Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) as a quick way to amass the equivalent of three to four traditional capital raises.
Unwrapping the Space Sector Deal Outlook for 2024
The past year has been a roller-coaster ride in the financial markets and an unusual one for transaction activity.
GEO-based hosted payloads to solve health and disaster prevention?
A newfound ability to detect emissions from copper mines could revive demand for hosted payloads.
More VC Headwinds Likely
Over the past decade, venture capital (VC) has emerged as a critical source of funding for space startups, with total investment surging more than tenfold, from $0.3B in 2014 to $3.2B in 2022 (note: excludes megaconstellation funding).
Maxar splits back into two business units, but stops short of calling them "SSL" and "DigitalGlobe"
Our 2020 Maxar initiation report bluntly concluded that the combination of an EO company and a GEO satellite manufacturer was “not a combination that most strategy officers or investment bankers would put high on their priority list.
Planet’s somewhat-predictable headcount reduction
Planet’s somewhat-predictable headcount reduction
Earth observation company bags its first influencer
Earth observation company bags its first influencer
Maxar is private. Who becomes the favorite now?
Maxar is private. Who becomes the favorite now?
2023 (so far) reaches decade+ low in GEO satellite orders
2023 (so far) reaches decade+ low in GEO satellite orders
Quilty QuickTake’s cover earth observation, satcom, space hardware, and government & defense. Register here for email notifications on sector-specific QuickTakes or all to stay up to date.
