In a notable display of public-private collaboration, more than 1,000 participants gathered from October 29 to 30, 2025, at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, for Silicon Valley Space Week. The event brought together two leading conferences—the MilSat Symposium and Satellite Innovation—drawing stakeholders from across the U.S. space ecosystem, including government agencies, aerospace corporations, venture-backed startups, and academic institutions.
One of the most prominent themes of the two-day conference was the increasing momentum behind commercial lunar missions. Much of the dialogue centered around how private companies are taking on a more significant role in delivering payloads to the Moon, building on initiatives like NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. This program, launched to engage commercial vendors in the delivery of scientific instruments and technology payloads to the lunar surface, has helped fuel a growing lunar economy that merges traditional aerospace expertise with innovative, venture-driven approaches.
Participants discussed how companies such as Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace are paving the way for lunar access through the development of robotic landers and rover platforms. While operational launches remain in the near future, the maturing hardware, increased funding, and growing clarity in service models are rapidly turning concepts into commercially viable missions.
Discussions also highlighted the growing use of methane-based propulsion systems—commonly referred to as methalox—as a technological enabler for reusable and efficient lunar landers. These advancements, including vehicles like Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C, are seen as crucial for long-term lunar operations. Meanwhile, satellite constellations designed to support lunar communication and navigation infrastructure are increasingly viewed as critical for sustaining surface activities and enabling remote payload operations.
Regulatory challenges were also front and center. Export controls and dual-use technology restrictions continue to pose hurdles for companies attempting to scale lunar services. The need for clearer pathways to commercial licensing and greater coordination between space and defense oversight bodies was a recurring concern throughout the conference.
Beyond technology, the discussions reflected a broader philosophical shift in the U.S. space industry. The Moon is no longer seen solely as a destination for scientific exploration. Instead, it is being reimagined as an economic frontier. With an expanding network of commercial players offering lunar logistics, infrastructure, and in-space services, the Moon is becoming the focal point of a new chapter in orbital and planetary commerce.
Attendees pointed to a number of trends shaping this transformation. One of the most important is the emergence of lunar logistics integrators—firms that provide end-to-end solutions for payload delivery, surface operations, data services, and even in-space manufacturing. As these companies position themselves for future missions in the late 2020s, potential customers, including research institutions and international partners, are being urged to engage early in defining payload requirements, identifying rideshare options, and planning service agreements.
Another theme was the market segmentation within the lunar economy. Experts noted that not all missions will serve the same purpose. Some will focus on scientific research, others on sensor deployment or commercial resource prospecting. The ability to define a clear lunar business model will be a key differentiator for startups and established firms alike.
Legal and regulatory readiness is also becoming a core requirement. From licensing payloads under U.S. export laws to interfacing with NASA’s technical standards, companies entering the lunar services market must be prepared for a complex compliance landscape. Moreover, firms that are not directly involved in lander development or propulsion still have roles to play—supporting infrastructure, communications, and mission logistics all offer growth opportunities.
The implications extend far beyond launchpads and landers. Government-industry dynamics are shifting as procurement models increasingly favor service-based contracts over traditional cost-plus arrangements. This change supports a more agile and performance-driven industry, one that aligns with the fast-paced innovation cycles of the private sector.
Globally, the competition is heating up. While the conference was largely U.S.-focused, it was clear from several panels that other nations are accelerating their lunar ambitions. The Moon is poised to become a contested commercial and strategic environment in the coming decade.
Looking ahead, lunar resource utilization was another topic of interest. Several speakers noted ongoing work to transition from symbolic missions to resource-based ventures. Initiatives are exploring how water ice, regolith, and other lunar materials might be extracted and used to support surface infrastructure, fuel production, or scientific research.
Even with the enthusiasm and technological progress, attendees acknowledged that commercial lunar ventures are still developing. Hardware prototypes are moving into the testing phase, and service models are being defined, but the actual deployment and scaling of lunar operations will take time. As one panelist remarked, “The hardware is getting real, but the business cases still need proof points.”
In conclusion, Silicon Valley Space Week 2025 served as a critical juncture in the evolution of the U.S. lunar economy. With the lines between government missions and commercial ventures continuing to blur, and the Moon increasingly viewed through an economic lens, the event highlighted the readiness of the industry to begin treating the Moon not merely as a destination, but as a platform for sustained activity.
As more firms prepare for late-decade lunar missions, the future of space commerce appears to be taking shape—not around Earth orbit, but on the lunar surface itself.
