Outside of AI, no other Pre-IPO sector has attracted as much investor attention so far in 2026 as space, led by SpaceX’s record-setting IPO and Blue Origin’s recent $10 billion fundraise. VC funding to space-related startups hit $15.5 billion over 300 deals in the first two quarters, a new record-high.

The reason for the increased investor attention on the sector is the tremendous growth potential that space offers, with current technology merely the tip of the iceberg. The sector is expected to be worth $1.8 trillion by 2035, growing at more than twice the rate of the overall GDP. Capital is flowing to companies across the industry, from launch companies to spacecraft and satellite manufacturers. Notable raises this year include $860 million to Stoke Space, $450 million to Astranis, and $200 million to Apex Space.

The space industry is already evolving as the cost of launch has gone down significantly, meaning the barrier to entry for new space stations, space data centers, space-based solar power, in-space manufacturing and other ideas previously consigned to science fiction have become financially feasible. However, once all of these structures are in space, there needs to be a cheap and effective way of transferring goods between them.

This in-orbit logistics market is still wide open, with no clear market leader, the way SpaceX has achieved with launch. The market size of just cargo movement in space is projected to grow by 18.6% annually until 2034 to nearly $8 billion. Right now, the current model assumes that cargo leaves Earth for one destination and that it is. There is no horizontal support network, and this opening is leading to a strategic shift in capital. A company that can offer reuseable, refuellable, and maintainable spacecraft and a full-serve in-space logistics network would have access to a potentially gigantic market.

Orbit2Orbit was founded in Australia in 2025 to address this growing gap in the space industry and build infrastructure that can move cargo between orbital vehicles. It is led by a team with more than 60 years of experience in aerospace and spacecraft development and involvement in 12 successful space missions.

With its Reusable Transport Spacecrafts (RTS), Orbit2Orbit is building a first-of-its-kind self-sustaining space logistics and distribution network that will support the exponential growth of the launch industry. It will lower operational costs an estimated 40% by using shared, in-orbit vehicles rather than repeating Earth-to-orbit launches.

CEO Bradley Hatton-Jones led the design and build of Australia’s largest rocket manufacturing facility and supported the development of the Eris launch vehicle. He recently won the Innovation and Technology Award at the South African in Australia awards. CTO Philippe Laniakea has over a decade of experience leading complex spacecraft development and integration programs. CSO Amal Khatri has 25 years of space experience and was Executive Director of The South African National Space Agency.

It is supported by the Australian government via the New South Wales Space Research Network, and is backed by Fusion Growth Labs, a $100 million Australian venture platform and accelerator.

Orbit2Orbit is building critical infrastructure for one of the world’s fastest-growing industries, and rather than competing with launch providers, it is working in tandem with them, in what is more of a “picks and shovels” play. It will enable autonomous cargo movement between orbital platforms, a crucial part of the future of the space industry. With the number of commercial space stations, satellite networks, and other orbital infrastructure expected to grow over the next decade, there is going to be significant demand for in-space transportation. The total addressable market (TAM) of the space logistics sector is expected to exceed $50 billion by 2035, and Orbit2Orbit is projecting a $2 billion market share.

It has already secured commercial customers, with signed LOIs exceeding $10 million from clients such as Queensland University of Technology, Space CoLAB, EmTDLab, and Astraea Technologies. It has established global launch capability and already had a successful launch of its first Lab2Space mission, achieving “flight heritage,” meaning its hardware has been proven in real space conditions. It has also built realistic flight environments that help customers validate technologies before reaching orbit, which reduce risks, and improves mission success. The company expects to have reusable transport spacecraft, orbital servicing units, and a full logistics network in place by 2030.

Orbit2Orbit has a dedicated in-house manufacturing facility, clean room, and mission operations headquarters, which is already operational. This vertical integration leads to cost efficiencies and the potential for rapid expansion. The company is also part of a technology consortium alongside multiple other space-related startups to pool expertise and lower costs.  Additionally, Australia’s less crowded and flexible airspace is a competitive advantage.

Investing into Orbit2Orbit is a unique opportunity to get in early on a startup in a fast-growing sector with massive potential, before it completes its public offering.