Measuring the Space Economy: Estimating the Value of Economic Activities in and for Space

March, 2020
IDA document: D-10814
FFRDC: Science and Technology Policy Institute
Type: Documents , Space
Authors:
Authors
Keith W. Crane, Evan Linck, Bhavya Lal, Rachel Y. Wei See more authors
This report provides more targeted estimates of the size of the space economy than currently exist. We employ a definition of the space economy that includes only the value of goods and services provided to governments, households, and businesses from space or used to support activities in space, and excludes activities that are enabled by space, but are primarily generated terrestrially. We drew on estimates produced by the Satellite Industry Association’s (SIA) annual State of the Satellite Industry Report, the Space Foundation’s The Space Report, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and produced two estimates for the space economy: one for 2013 and one for 2016. These estimates could help the government develop policies to foster the growth of commercial activities for or in space, and help clarify for investors and entrepreneurs interested in the space economy the extent and size of markets focused exclusively on space.