AstroAgency Expands to US Market as Space Sector Marketing Gains Strategic Importance

Daniel Smith, founder of AstroAgency and recently appointed as the Scottish Government's first Trade & Investment Envoy for Space, is leading his company's expansion into the United States market. AstroAgency, described as the world's first dedicated space marketing firm, will establish a North American office at VISTA, Voyager's new science park initiative in Columbus, OH, following partnerships with Voyager Technologies and Cislunar International.

The strategic move comes at a time when space technology is becoming increasingly relevant to solving real-world challenges across multiple industries. Smith emphasizes that space is no longer just a government domain but has evolved into a commercial sector that supports almost every industry imaginable. The commercial space sector's growth is driven by thousands of satellites providing essential services from communications and navigation to climate change monitoring and national security support.

AstroAgency's unique positioning combines communications and outreach with market intelligence, led by a team with prior experience inside the space industry itself. This approach has enabled the company to work with over 80 space companies, multiple national space agencies including the UK Space Agency, and international organizations such as ESA and NASA. Their work includes projects with organizations like Spire, Hydrosat, and CATALYST, demonstrating the practical application of satellite data across agriculture, transport, defense, maritime, and finance sectors.

Smith's background reflects the changing nature of the space industry. Growing up in a small Scottish town where space careers seemed distant, he studied law before entering business development. His entry into space came through helping establish rocket company Skyrora in 2016/17, recognizing the opportunity presented by spaceports being developed in northern Scotland. This experience revealed the gap between brilliant engineering and effective communication to potential funders and users of space technology.

The expansion into the US market builds on existing relationships with American companies including Voyager Technologies, OrbitFab, NovaSpace, and Terrametric. The company plans to establish an office within the VISTA Science Park at The Ohio State University, described as the nation's first science park dedicated to in-space research and innovation. This strategic location will support AstroAgency's mission to help US firms commercialize their offerings domestically while preparing for international expansion.

Smith identifies sustainability as a key differentiator for the UK space sector. He highlights that while rockets may seem environmentally challenging, the sector is pioneering green propellants and sustainable supply chains. More importantly, two-thirds of global environmental monitoring data comes from satellites, enabling tracking of deforestation, illegal fishing, and support for net zero targets. AstroAgency's work on developing Scotland's space sustainability roadmap positioned the country as a global leader in sustainable space practices.

The growing importance of marketing in the space sector reflects its commercial maturation. Smith predicts that companies succeeding in space will be those that effectively tell their stories while making data-driven decisions based on robust market intelligence. As space technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life and multiple industries, the ability to communicate its value to non-space audiences becomes crucial for commercial success and wider societal benefit.