Research Methodology

Primary Sources

Our research team prioritizes authoritative, first-party sources to ensure accuracy and currency. Primary sources form the foundation of every company profile:

• Company websites and official communications: Corporate websites, investor relations pages, and official social media channels provide foundational information including company descriptions, leadership, products, and services.
• Regulatory filings: SEC filings (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, S-1), international securities filings, and FCC license applications provide verified financial data, ownership information, and operational details for public companies and licensed operators.
• Press releases: Official announcements from companies and partner organizations regarding funding rounds, contracts, partnerships, and milestones.
• Patent databases and grant awards: USPTO, EPO, and international patent filings indicate technology development, while NASA SBIR/STTR awards and other government grants provide insight into early-stage companies.
• Conference presentations and industry events: Presentations at major conferences such as IAC, Space Symposium, SmallSat, and SATELLITE provide current information directly from company representatives.

Secondary Sources

Secondary sources supplement and corroborate primary source information:

• Industry reports and market analyses: Reports from recognized industry analysts provide market context and independent assessments.
• News coverage: Reporting from established aerospace publications including SpaceNews, Ars Technica, Aviation Week, and others provides additional verification and context.
• Academic publications: Peer-reviewed papers and conference proceedings document technical capabilities and research partnerships.

Discovery Methods

Our team employs systematic methods to identify new organizations for inclusion:

• Industry news monitoring: Daily review of space industry publications and news sources
• Conference and event tracking: Review of exhibitor lists, speaker rosters, and presentation schedules at major industry events
• Funding announcement monitoring: Tracking of venture capital announcements, crowdfunding campaigns, and government contract awards
• Regulatory filing reviews: Monitoring of new FCC applications, launch licenses, and other regulatory submissions

Every organization profile undergoes verification before publication. Our standards ensure that users can rely on the accuracy of the information presented:

Multi-Source Verification

Key facts—founding dates, headquarters locations, and funding amounts—require confirmation from at least two independent sources. When sources conflict, we prioritize official company communications and regulatory filings over secondary sources.

Presence Verification

Before inclusion, we verify that organizations have an active web presence, including functional websites and professional social media accounts. Organizations without verifiable public presence are flagged for additional research or exclusion.

Financial Data Verification

Funding information is verified against press releases, SEC filings, or reputable news sources. We clearly distinguish between confirmed funding rounds and reported estimates, and note when funding information is unavailable or undisclosed.

Status Classification Criteria

Each organization is assigned a status based on specific criteria:

• Operational: Active business with confirmed activity within the past 12 months, including product releases, contract announcements, or financial filings
• Pre-revenue: Development-stage companies that have not yet generated significant commercial revenue but show active development progress
• Acquired: Companies that have been purchased by other entities, with acquisition date and acquirer documented
• Defunct: Companies that have ceased operations, entered bankruptcy, or show no activity for an extended period

Geographic Verification

Headquarters locations are verified against official company sources, regulatory filings, and corporate registration databases. We distinguish between legal headquarters, operational headquarters, and major facility locations where relevant.

Our taxonomy reflects the complexity of the modern space industry, where organizations frequently operate across multiple segments. We maintain over 130 categories covering all aspects of space industry activity.

Category Definitions

Each category has documented inclusion criteria based on an organization's primary business activities. Categories range from broad sectors (Launch Services, Satellite Communications) to specialized niches (Space Debris Removal, In-Space Manufacturing). Category definitions are reviewed periodically to reflect industry evolution.

Multi-Category Assignment

Organizations are assigned to multiple categories when their activities span different segments. A company building satellites and providing data services, for example, would appear in both Satellite Manufacturing and Data Services categories. Primary categories are distinguished from secondary categories based on revenue significance and strategic focus.

Taxonomy Maintenance

Our category structure undergoes quarterly review to ensure it reflects current industry structure. New categories are added as emerging segments mature, while underutilized categories may be consolidated. We monitor industry terminology and align our taxonomy with commonly accepted definitions while maintaining consistency in our historical data.

Maintaining current data across thousands of organizations requires systematic processes combining automated monitoring with human review:

Update Frequency by Data Type

• Stock prices and market data: Daily updates for all publicly traded companies
• Company status: Continuous monitoring with updates within 24-48 hours of significant changes
• Funding announcements: Updated within 48 hours of public announcement
• Company profiles: Comprehensive review on a quarterly cycle, with priority review for major industry players
• New company additions: Ongoing evaluation and addition of newly identified organizations

Automated Monitoring

Our systems monitor news sources, SEC filings, and other data feeds for changes affecting companies in our database. Automated alerts flag potential updates for human review, including funding announcements, leadership changes, and acquisition activity.

Manual Review Processes

Automated monitoring is supplemented by scheduled manual reviews. Every company profile is reviewed at least annually, with more frequent reviews for active, high-profile organizations. Manual review includes verification of website accessibility, confirmation of contact information, and assessment of operational status.

Handling Outdated Information

When information cannot be verified or appears outdated, we take a conservative approach. Unverifiable data is marked or removed rather than retained. Defunct companies are maintained in our database with clear status indicators, preserving historical records while clearly communicating current status.

Coverage Targets

We aim for comprehensive coverage of all significant space industry organizations globally. This includes commercial companies of all sizes, government agencies, research institutions, and industry associations. Coverage targets are established by segment and geography, with regular assessments of completeness.

Accuracy Verification

Regular audits sample company profiles for accuracy, verifying key data points against primary sources. Audit results inform process improvements and identify categories requiring additional attention.

User Feedback Integration

We actively encourage feedback from the space industry community. Company representatives may submit corrections or updates through our contact page, and all submissions are reviewed and processed according to our verification standards. User-reported errors are prioritized for rapid correction.

Error Correction

When errors are identified, we target correction within 24-48 hours for factual errors and within one week for less critical updates. Significant corrections are documented, and systemic issues trigger process reviews to prevent recurrence.