As the private provision of spaceflight services supplants government dominance and becomes more prominent, this long-ignored aspect of spaceflight is gaining increasing importance. Historians have begun to focus on the role that commercial companies have played in space, and the personalities and policies that have driven those efforts. Though the term “commercial” means different things to different people—whether it is government-funded contractor activities or private/investor funded and directed initiatives—private companies have played a vital role in the development of space since its very beginning.  

Quest: The History of Spaceflight Quarterly is inviting historians to contribute articles that help to document commercial space. Authors are invited to write about the contractors, entrepreneurial firms, executives, innovators, ventures, policies, economics, or another area of interest. Articles need not be limited to human space exploration and can target markets such as satellite communications; remote sensing; positioning, navigation, and mapping; satellite services such as radio, television, broadband; tourism; launch services; or commercial activities such as finance, insurance, policy, etc.

This upcoming special issue of Quest challenges authors and those who may have worked in the space industry to examine and profile an area that has not been well explored. We want this issue to stimulate discussion and analysis of “commercial space.” 

Contributors to this special issue will be asked to submit pieces of roughly 3,000 to 5,000 words in length on their chosen topic.

Additionally, industry analysts, lawyers, financiers, and entrepreneurs who want to share their stories are welcome to submit a piece of roughly 1,000+ words. 

Those who have questions or wish to contribute to this special issue should contact Christopher Gainor, Editor of Quest, at chris [at] spacehistory101.com or Scott Sacknoff, publisher at scott [at] spacehistory101.com .

It is hoped to publish this issue in the fourth quarter of 2025, Volume 32 #4, which would mean a tentative deadline of 1 September 2025.