Space investing goes mainstream as VCs ditch the rocket science requirements

The article highlights a significant shift in venture capital investment toward space technology, driven by decreasing launch costs and expanding applications beyond traditional rocket manufacturing. Katelin Holloway, a generalist VC partner who initially lacked aerospace expertise, exemplifies this trend by investing in startups leveraging space-based data and infrastructure for uses such as quantum computing, medical imaging, climate monitoring, and communications. This broader focus includes emerging sectors like orbital logistics, in-space manufacturing, satellite servicing, and lunar infrastructure, with companies like Interlune aiming to harvest resources such as helium-3, which also has national security implications. Geopolitical factors, particularly China's advancing space capabilities, have further spurred U.S. defense-related space investments, providing VCs with a more reliable customer base and reducing perceived risks. Defense-focused startups like True Anomaly and K2 Space have secured substantial funding rounds, underscoring the growing confidence in the commercial viability of space ventures. Additionally, advancements in AI and geospatial analytics are accelerating innovation, exemplified