Space Age Publishing

What Space Age Publishing does

Space Age Publishing Company is a private, non-profit publishing and space-policy convening organization founded in 1976 by Steve Durst and operating with 1-10 employees from offices in Palo Alto, California (since 1977) and Kamuela, Hawaii (since 1988). The company's foundational product is Space Calendar Weekly, a continuous publication covering space industry news launched in 1983, supplemented by Lunar Enterprise Daily, a paid newsletter priced at $20-$150/month for advertising focused on lunar commercial activity.

The company has progressively expanded beyond pure publishing into space-program advocacy and event convening. It initiated the International Lunar Observatory (ILO) program in 2003 with Phase A/B studies conducted in partnership with SpaceDev (2003-2004), an ILO Advisory Committee Workshop in 2005 with approximately 60 experts, and Lunar Commercial Communications Workshops in 2007-2008 with partners including Cisco and Space Systems/Loral. Adjacent initiatives include Stanford on the Moon, Hawaii Space Tours, Ad Astra Kansas, and the Galaxy Forum series. The company positions itself around a stated 100-year operating horizon through 2076.

Revenue mechanics rely on a mix of newsletter advertising, conference and workshop registration fees (workshops at $325, conferences ranging $95-$995), and sponsorship income. Counterparties and collaborators span NASA, Boeing, Raytheon, Cisco, SpaceDev, Space Systems/Loral, Ball Aerospace, Benson Space, MDA, the X Prize, and Stanford University, supporting an ecosystem-buildout strategy around lunar commercialization themes. No AI/ML capabilities, proprietary technology stack, or disclosed financials are evident in the source material.

Name

Space Age Publishing

Legal name

Space Age Publishing Company

Website

https://spaceagepub.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Space Age Publishing is a non-profit space-industry publisher and conference organizer founded in 1976, producing Space Calendar Weekly and Lunar Enterprise Daily for space professionals, scientists, and policy audiences across 50+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Industry Publishing and Events

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (51312), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)

Keywords

• Space industry publishing
• Lunar news media
• Space calendar publication
• Lunar observatory initiative
• Space conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Palo Alto

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Advertising Revenue: Lunar Enterprise Daily advertising sales with tiered pricing based on ad position and size. Weekly rates range from $20-$40 per ad slot; monthly rates from $50-$150. Demographics target global professional and semi-technical space community readers in over 50 countries.
2. Conference Revenue: Registration fees for International Lunar Conference and workshops. Full week conference registration at $595 (regular) or $295 (student/Kama'aina), with special packages at $995 including tours and events.
3. Sponsorship Revenue: Conference co-sponsorship opportunities at promotional, special event, and financial levels with name/logo recognition in conference materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Space Age Publishing Company publishes Space Calendar Weekly and Lunar Enterprise Daily, providing ongoing coverage of space launches, astrophysical events, conferences, and lunar news to a global professional readership. The company also advances the International Lunar Observatory (ILO) initiative through its subsidiary Lunar Enterprise Corporation and hosts industry conferences and workshops such as the International Lunar Conference and Lunar Commercial Communications Workshops.

Product overview

Space Age Publishing Company operates a portfolio of space-focused media products. The core offerings include Space Calendar Weekly (launch summaries, events, news) and Lunar Enterprise Daily (lunar news and research), which function as complementary publications serving the space and lunar communities. The company also runs the International Lunar Observatory (ILO) initiative, a planned robotic observatory/antenna dish to be positioned at the lunar South Pole for astrophysical observations and communications. Supporting these are event products including the International Lunar Conference series and Lunar Commercial Communications Workshops that bring together industry stakeholders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Space Calendar Weekly Weekly digital publication featuring upcoming launch summaries, space and astrophysical events, conferences, and the latest space news; described as 'The First, Best Space Calendar in the Business' and distributed globally in over 50 countries to space professionals.
• Lunar Enterprise Daily Daily news publication providing the latest lunar news and research with full coverage of national, international, and commercial efforts to return to the Moon, supported by tiered advertising sales.
• International Lunar Observatory (ILO) Robotic lunar observatory initiative, advanced through Lunar Enterprise Corporation subsidiary, to emplace a multi-wavelength 1-3 meter dish antenna for astrophysical data acquisition and communications near the Moon's South Pole.
• International Lunar Conference 2003 Week-long international conference bringing together American and international space program representatives, scientists, engineers, astronomers, business people, entrepreneurs, educators and enthusiasts to develop strategies for permanent human presence on the Moon.
• Lunar Commercial Communications Workshops Series of professional workshops held in 2007-2008 facilitating pioneering ventures to create a lunar communications industry, enabling science, exploration and commercial utilization of the Moon.

Quantifiable outcome

• Continuous weekly publication since 1983 with aim for publication through 2076 (100 years)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• MacDonald, Dettwiler & Associates (MDA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2008MDA participated in Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop 3 with Mike Daly presenting on commencing lunar commercial communications. Denise King represented MDA at the workshop focused on commercialization of communications at the Moon.
• Team FREDNETminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2008Fred Bourgeois from Team FREDNET presented on Hitch-Hiker's Handbook to the Solar System at the Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop 3.
• ImbibominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2008Bret O'Connor and William Lindstrom from Imbibo presented on sponsorship fundraising for lunar missions at the Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop 3.
• BoeingmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2008Paul Eckert from Boeing IDS - Space Exploration and Frank Weaver from Boeing participated in Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop 3, discussing Boeing's role in space exploration communications.
• RaytheonmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2008Don McMonagle from Raytheon participated in Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop 3, contributing to discussions on commercial lunar communications infrastructure.
• X Prize FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 September 2008Will Pomerantz from X Prize Foundation participated in Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop 3, exploring connections between lunar prizes and commercial communications.
• Astrobotic TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2008John Kohut from Astrobotic Technology participated in Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop 3, discussing robotic lunar missions and communications needs.
• Andrews SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2008Craig McAlister from Andrews Space participated in Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop 3, contributing to lunar communications discussions.
• ATK SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2008Bob Meurer from ATK Space participated in Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop 3, discussing space launch and communications capabilities.
• Ecliptic EnterprisesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2008Rex Ridenoure from Ecliptic Enterprises participated in Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop 3, contributing expertise on lunar missions.
• Cisco SystemsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2007Cisco Systems participated in Lunar Commercial Communications workshops as featured speaker presenting on leveraging commercial solutions for lunar communications. Hugh Arif, Space Initiatives Manager, presented at the workshop.
• NASAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2007NASA representatives (James Schier from NASA Headquarters, Robert Kelso from Johnson Space Center, Bob Hanel from Ames Research Center) participated in Lunar Commercial Communications workshops discussing NASA relationships with private sector communications providers.
• Space Systems/LoralmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2007Andy Turner from Space Systems/Loral presented on lunar communications concepts at the Lunar Commercial Communications 2 workshop, discussing commercial lunar communications facilitated by commercial spacecraft.
• Ball AerospacemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2007Randall Correll from Ball Aerospace presented corporate overview at the Lunar Commercial Communications workshop, exploring potential collaboration on lunar communications infrastructure.
• Benson Space CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2007Jim Benson, CEO of Benson Space Company (formerly SpaceDev), presented on Human Service Mission to the ILO with animation at the workshop, continuing collaboration on International Lunar Observatory project.
• SpaceDev, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 January 2007SpaceDev worked with Lunar Enterprise Corporation (subsidiary of Space Age Publishing Company) on International Lunar Observatory mission development. SpaceDev conducted Phase A (2003) and Phase B (2004) studies for the ILO mission, focusing on lunar landing navigation systems and mission feasibility.
• International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005ILOA is closely affiliated with Space Age Publishing Company. Steve Durst serves as director of both organizations. ILOA and SPC collaborate on International Lunar Observatory mission, with SPC hosting the ILO initiative on its website and promoting the mission.
• ILO Advisory Committee MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004SPC convened a network of about 20 of the world's foremost lunar development and astronomical experts to serve on the initial ILO Advisory Committee. Members hail from Canada, Japan, India, Russia, Europe and across the USA, with additional members being identified in China.
• International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Many ILO Advisory Committee members are also members of ILEWG, the world's foremost network of space science professionals involved in lunar exploration. SPC organized International Lunar Conference 2003 as ILEWG 5.
• University of HawaiimajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004ILO use and support is being considered with University of Hawaii and Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corporation, both located in Hawaii, as part of potential ILO mission support network.
• Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004CFHT Corporation is being considered for ILO use and support as part of Hawaii-based astronomical community involvement in the project.
• Smithsonian Astrophysical ObservatorymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Hawaii is being considered for ILO use and support as part of the mission's potential user and support network.
• National Radio Astronomical ObservatorymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004NRAO in Hawaii is being considered for ILO use and support as part of the mission's potential scientific collaboration network.
• Gemini ObservatorymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Gemini Observatory in Hawaii is being considered for ILO use and support as part of Hawaii-based astronomical community involvement.
• China National Astronomical ObservatorymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004NAOC is being considered for ILO use and support as part of international astronomical community involvement, with China expressing interest in lunar telescope deployment.
• Indian Institute of AstrophysicsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004IIA in India is being considered for ILO use and support as part of international astronomical community collaboration on the mission.
• National Astronomical Observatory of JapanmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004NAOJ is being considered for ILO use and support as part of international astronomical community involvement, with Japan having lunar settlement plans.
• European Southern ObservatorymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004ESO is being considered for ILO use and support as part of international astronomical community collaboration on the lunar observatory mission.
• Optech Inc.majorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2004Optech Inc. of Canada provided technical consultation for SpaceDev's Phase B ILO study, specifically regarding LAPS (Laser Airborne Polarimeter) technology for lunar landing navigation.
• Stanford UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004SPC promotes 'Stanford on the Moon' initiative in collaboration with Stanford University, exploring potential Stanford presence on the lunar surface with advisory committee and student involvement.
• Hawaii Island Space Exploration Society (HISES)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2003SPC collaborated with HISES on 'Pacific Aloha Feasibility Study' (1993) and 'From Hawaii to the Moon Design Study' (2001-2002), and Hawaii Space Tours promoting Hawaii as space/lunar destination.
• Lunar Enterprise CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2003Lunar Enterprise Corporation is SPC's subsidiary that contracted SpaceDev for ILO studies and advances/supports scientific, commercial and international lunar activities including the International Lunar Observatory.
• International Lunar Observatory AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1988ILOA is hosted on Space Age Publishing Company website with Steve Durst as director of both organizations. SPC serves as publisher and communication platform for ILO initiative.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Universe Today: Space and astronomy news publication covering missions, astrophysics and exploration. Comparable as a niche space news property targeting space-interested readers worldwide.
• Parabolic Arc: Independent space-industry blog covering commercial space, suborbital and lunar ventures. Comparable as an independent digital publication targeting the commercial space community.
• NASASpaceflight.com: Independent space news and forum community focused on launches, missions and industry. Comparable as a digital-first space news outlet serving professionals and enthusiasts globally.
• SpaceNews: Leading trade publication covering civil, military and commercial space. Directly comparable as a specialized space-industry media outlet targeting professional readers, with broader commercial reach than Space Age Publishing.
• Spaceflight Now: Launch and mission news site providing coverage of upcoming launches and spaceflight events. Directly comparable as a space-calendar-adjacent news service covering launches and mission schedules.
• SpaceDaily: Independent space industry news aggregator covering civil, military and commercial space sectors. Comparable as a niche digital space-trade publisher serving industry professionals.

Broad incumbents

• Ars Technica: Major technology publication with a dedicated space section covering launches, astrophysics and commercial space. Comparable in providing in-depth space journalism to a professional/technical readership.
• Aviation Week & Space Technology: Established aerospace and defense trade publication covering aviation and space. Comparable in serving aerospace professionals with overlapping coverage of launch schedules and space programs.
• Space.com: Major consumer-facing space and astronomy media property owned by Future plc. Comparable as a broader-reach space publisher overlapping in coverage of launches, missions, and lunar activity.

Others

• The Planetary Society: Nonprofit space advocacy organization promoting planetary exploration and space science. Comparable as a mission-driven, nonprofit space-education and advocacy organization with overlapping lunar-program interests.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/space-age-publishing-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Space Age Publishing