Commercialization of space

This report analyzes how technological advances and scientific research are enabling the commercialization of space, which is already presented as a business opportunity on Earth.

Commercialization of Space

Commercialization of Space

Analysed topics

Space industry

Space industry

Development of the space industry.

Opportunities for space commercialization

Opportunities for space commercialization

New opportunities for space industry.

Risks of the commercialization of space

Risks of the commercialization of space

What risks we find for the space industry.

Challenges in Space Commercialization

Challenges in Space Commercialization

Conclusions and challenges of the commercialization of space.

Space industry

The Space Age

By the mid-20th century, the then superpowers (the United States and the Soviet Union) had made their first forays into space, signifying the beginning of the Space Age.

The main milestones are detailed below, and can be reviewed in greater detail .

The Space Age
What we do in space is to improve life on Earth

What we do in space is to improve life on Earth

Conference by Charles Bolden, Former NASA Administrator, President of The Bolden Consulting Group LLC and Trustee of Bankinter Innovation Foundation, at the XXXI Future Trends Forum about the Commercialization of Space.

Charles Bolden, former Administrator of NASA and Trustee of the Foundation Innovation Bankinter. explains the importance of Comercialization of Space and emphasizes that everything that has been done in space has been to improve life on planet Earth

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The future of space travel is the future of spacesuits

The future of space travel is the future of spacesuits

Inhabiting space stations, moving around the outside of spaceships or colonizing planets is, in part, a textile problem.

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Microgravity, your future health will be cultivated in space

Microgravity, your future health will be cultivated in space

Low Earth orbit (LEO) offers unique microgravity opportunities for research and technology advancement, as well as for d[…]

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What is the future of the space sector? Find out from these leaders in the space industry

What is the future of the space sector? Find out from these leaders in the space[...]

In our next #FutureTalks we will learn about the business potential of the aerospace sector from Jeffrey Manber, one of […]

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Pharmaceutical laboratory in space

Pharmaceutical laboratory in space

The space can become the best laboratory for creating the medicines of the future.

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Exploration of space

Exploration of space

The new space industry must not forget the importance of continuing to explore space.

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Space communication

Space communication

The communication facilitated by the space industry will allow a global, less expensive and quality communication.

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Space Shuttles

Space Shuttles

The space industry is working in new ways of reaching space.

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Space defense

Space defense

The space industry has a critical role to play in defending Earth’s safety from space.

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Space tourism

Space tourism

In the coming years we will witness the first tourist space trips.

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Opportunities for space commercialization

The development of the space industry is allowing a new scenario for the commercialization of space, where the different actors involved develop their activities:

  • investors must provide stability to the market.
  • Governments can incentivize private investment by trying to ensure regulatory stability.
  • Companies must direct their efforts to optimize processes and reduce production cycles

The most traveled fields of the new commercialization of space, identified by the Future Trends Forum´s experts are market in LEO, manufacturing in space, satellite connectivity, the democratization of access to space, and the data from space exploration.

The New Spatial Economy

The New Spatial Economy

Speech by Roberto Battiston, former President of the Italian Space Agency, at the XXXI meeting of the Future Trends Forum. Roberto talks about the transition from a manufacturing space economy to an increasingly service-based space economy.

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Space Commercialization: a Business Opportunity on Earth

Space Commercialization: a Business Opportunity on Earth

The Future Trends Forum presented its 31st report on innovation trends that will shape the near future. In this case, it[…]

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Democratization of access to space

Democratization of access to space

The increasingly easy access to space will open a market of more than 100 potential users.

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Global connectivity

Global connectivity

Achieving global connectivity is one of the main opportunities of space commercialization.

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Space Manufacturing

Space Manufacturing

One of the opportunities of the commercialization of space is the possibility of creating space factories.

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Data leveraging

Data leveraging

The space industry creates a wealth of data that enables great business opportunities.

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Market in LEO orbit

Market in LEO orbit

One of the opportunities of the commercialization of space is in the exploitation of a market in the LEO orbit.

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Risks of the commercialization of space

The commercialization of space is not without risks. Our experts highlight: the lack of legislation, the risks of business for those organizations that want to approach this industry and cybersecurity.

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Business risks in space commercialization

Business risks in space commercialization

Companies are an essential player in the development of the space industry, but they also face risks that they must take[…]

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Cybersecurity in the space industry

Cybersecurity in the space industry

Space is an interconnected environment where cybersecurity is a key element for its development.

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Legal risks of space commercialization

Legal risks of space commercialization

Our experts agree that the lack of an up-to-date global space law can be a problem for the development of a space indust[…]

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Challenges in Space Commercialization

The arrival of “Space 4.0” will lead to multiple challenges and a paradigm shift in our understanding of space. Those of us who want to work in space commercialization should take the following into account:

-We must try to create a space value chain and reduce the costs of space access. Those seeking to exploit the market must work towards developing a wide array of accessible infrastructure that allows us to create space businesses. The goal is to create products and services that allow us to build the space industry.

-Therefore, it is mandatory that we be disruptors and promote innovation. We need to push traditional companies to adapt to this new model.

-We cannot forget that a viable business model is necessary, even if it is just for the long term.

The main challenges to work for the future of space commercialization selected by the experts of the Future Trends Forum are:

1. Business opportunities

Currently, the space industry is being developed in several fields, but the Future Trends Forum experts have agreed that new business opportunities will arise in the sustainable market in the low Earth orbit: manufacturing in space, global Internet connectivity via satellite, the democratization of access to space and use of data obtained through satellites.

What will be the business models that will capitalize on these new business areas?

1. Business opportunities

2. Drivers of space commercialization

So far, governments and space agencies were the leaders in the space industry, but as a result of new business opportunities, companies must now take the lead.

How should governments facilitate access to space for private companies? What is the new role of space agencies?

2. Drivers of space commercialization

3.- Regulation in the space industry

There are still many things to consider in space commercialization, particularly regarding global risks of its development from multiple standpoints: legal, regulatory, corporate, organizational and in terms of cybersecurity.

What will be the global regulation for space businesses? Who should regulate them? Who should organize them? How can we make sure that space businesses are safe?

3.- Regulation in the space industry

4. Investment

Space activities generate roughly 260 billion dollars annually. According to estimates from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, by 2045, investment in space will increase eightfold and reach 2.7 trillion dollars. It is also estimated that between June 2017 and June 2018 private investors provided the space industry with around 3.4 billion dollars; this investment is only expected to grow.

How can we fund space commercialization? How can governments promote and guarantee private investment in space?

4. Investment

5. Spain

Spain has a business volume of about €800 million; this figure has doubled in the last ten years. The business network employs near 3,500 technicians.

What is Spain’s role in the new era of space commercialization? How can Spanish companies seize opportunities in this new industry?

5. Spain