By From Brooklyn to the Moon: How New York Startups Are Joining the Space Race
New York’s boldest tech founders are swapping skyscrapers for spaceships, building rockets, satellites, and dreams that reach beyond Earth’s skyline.
The New Space Rush Begins in Brooklyn
Something big is happening above the streets of Brooklyn, and it’s not another high-rise. It’s the sound of rocket engines being tested in warehouses turned labs. Startups once building apps are now building satellites. Their mission? To make space travel as normal as taking the subway.
Over the past two years, a new wave of New York startups has entered the global space race. From 3D-printed rocket parts to AI-powered navigation systems, these companies are quietly redefining what it means to be “Made in New York.”
According to Space Capital’s Q2 2025 Report, over $8.5 billion was invested in space-related startups globally, with New York City ranking among the top three hubs in the U.S. (Source).
Meet the Builders of Tomorrow
Startups like VastOrbit in Brooklyn Navy Yard are designing small satellites for climate monitoring. Over in Queens, AstroLink Labs is creating communication systems to help rockets talk to Earth faster. And in Manhattan, Nova Robotics is testing robotic arms that can repair satellites in orbit.
“We used to dream about Silicon Alley,” says Maya Trenton, founder of Nova Robotics. “Now, our dream is a space highway starting right here in New York.”
Their work isn’t just science fiction. It’s part of a growing shift in how cities invest in innovation. With the New York Space Alliance offering mentorship and funding, dozens of young engineers now see outer space as their next business destination.
Why Space Is Suddenly a New York Story
For decades, space exploration was dominated by NASA and private giants like SpaceX. But now, local innovators are joining the race. Why? Because technology has become cheaper, smaller, and faster to build.
A single small satellite that once cost $10 million can now be launched for under $500,000, according to NASA’s SmallSat Trends Report 2024 (Source). That’s a big reason why small labs in Brooklyn can now compete with global giants.
This growing industry also feeds into the city’s wider economy. The New York State Department of Labor estimates that aerospace and advanced manufacturing jobs in the state grew by 18% in the last three years (Source).
More jobs, more talent, and more local pride, that’s the new orbit of New York innovation.
The Economic Lift-Off
Space tech may sound distant, but its impact is close to home. Analysts predict that the global space economy will hit $1.8 trillion by 2035, according to Morgan Stanley Research (Source). New York’s share of that pie is growing fast.
City universities are also playing a big role. Columbia University and NYU Tandon now offer programs in space entrepreneurship and robotics. These schools are training the next generation of engineers who might build the next lunar rover, right from a dorm in downtown Brooklyn.
And let’s not forget Wall Street. Venture capital firms in Manhattan are quietly funding space startups with the same excitement they once had for fintech. Investors see outer space as the next big market, one that can bring data, communication, and even tourism opportunities back to Earth.
What It Means for New Yorkers
For New Yorkers, this new space boom means more than just cool headlines. It means jobs in manufacturing, software, and research. It means cleaner technologies, as satellites help track climate data and city pollution in real-time.
“Space tech is no longer about leaving Earth,” says Dr. Leo Granger, an aerospace analyst at the City Science Forum. “It’s about making Earth better, and New York is leading that mission.”
Neighborhoods like Long Island City and Red Hook are seeing new energy. Empty warehouses are turning into startup labs. Young professionals are finding careers in fields they once thought were out of reach.
A City That Never Stops Reaching Higher
New York has always been a city of firsts. First in finance, fashion, and media. Now, it’s carving a place in the final frontier. The city that never sleeps is now the city that never stops reaching higher.
Brooklyn’s makers and Manhattan’s investors are proving that space isn’t just for scientists — it’s for anyone with a dream big enough to leave a mark above the skyline.
As rockets prepare to launch and satellites beam down data from orbit, one question remains:
Will the next great space company come from New York’s backyard?
Only time, and perhaps the next moon mission will tell.
Reporting by The Daily NewYorks Staff Writer.
