New York, Oct. 13 -- Global investment in the space economy is on track to cross USD 100 billion for the first time in 2026, after reaching USD 92.5 billion in the first nine months of the year and surpassing the full-year record set in 2025, according to a report by New York-based venture capital firm Space Capital that invests exclusively in the space economy.

The investment surge comes amid a shortage of rocket-launch capacity, rising government demand and efforts by countries to develop their own space capabilities rather than depend on existing providers.

"The easy button is going away," Space Capital said in its analysis of third-quarter investment, highlighting a shift in the commercial space industry as access to rocket launches...