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The S-Network Space Index℠ First Half 2023 Performance

The S-Network Space IndexSM tracks a global portfolio of publicly traded companies that are active in space-related businesses such as satellite-based telecommunications; transmission of television and radio content via satellite; launch vehicle and satellite manufacturing, deployment, operation, and maintenance; manufacturing of ground equipment that relies on satellite systems; development of space technology and hardware; and space-based imagery and intelligence services.

The S-Network Space Index℠ tracks a global portfolio of publicly traded companies that are active in space-related businesses such as satellite-based telecommunications; transmission of television and radio content via satellite; launch vehicle and satellite manufacturing, deployment, operation, and maintenance; manufacturing of ground equipment that relies on satellite systems; development of space technology and hardware; and space-based imagery and intelligence services.

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Maturing Sectors, Widening Space Applications Spur Commercial Revenues to $427B in 2022

Global commercial space revenue continues to grow, reaching $427.6 billion in 2022, up 7.9% from a revised $396.2 billion in 2021. Commercial space activity includes efforts undertaken by private industry with little or no government investment, as well as products and services sold to private customers. About two-thirds of commercial space revenue in 2022, $288 billion, came from space products and services. The remaining third, $139.6 billion, was generated by space infrastructure and support industries.

Global commercial space revenue continues to grow, reaching $427.6 billion in 2022, up 7.9% from a revised $396.2 billion in 2021. Commercial space activity includes efforts undertaken by private industry with little or no government investment, as well as products and services sold to private customers. About two-thirds of commercial space revenue in 2022, $288 billion, came from space products and services. The remaining third, $139.6 billion, was generated by space infrastructure and support industries.

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Lessons from Earthbound Launchpad Failures Inform Future Missions to Moon, Mars

The incredible power in rocket boosters is magnificent when they are safely in the sky, but basic laws of physics are problematic closer to the ground, with every action creating an equal and concrete-shredding reaction. Now, with the Moon and Mars in NASA’s sights, engineers are working to overcome the dangers rocket thrust could bring when landing and taking off without the safety of a launchpad.

The incredible power in rocket boosters is magnificent when they are safely in the sky, but basic laws of physics are problematic closer to the ground, with every action creating an equal and concrete-shredding reaction. Now, with the Moon and Mars in NASA’s sights, engineers are working to overcome the dangers rocket thrust could bring when landing and taking off without the safety of a launchpad.

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Global Space Economy Hits $546B Despite 2022’s Economic Turmoil

European Space Agency’s Plato satellite was subjected to as much as 156 decibels of sound at the agency’s Large European Acoustic Facility. The crushing noise is designed to simulate the sound satellites face upon launch. Space science missions such as Plato are seeing funding growth. Credit: ESA

Last year was a tumultuous time for the global economy. High inflation, fluctuating exchange rates, and constricting markets caused trouble across most industries, and space was no exception. The global space economy totaled $546 billion in 2022, 8% higher than the previous year, according to Space Foundation analysis. Government and commercial spending cooled year-over-year, but 2022 still exceeded the five-year growth average.

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Led by U.S., China, Pace of Launch Maintains Record Levels in First Half of 2023

A rapid launch pace by the United States and China led to a mid-year launch record in 2023, with 97 launches worldwide. <span id='easy-footnote-1-13619' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'></span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='#easy-footnote-bottom-1-13619' title=' Space Foundation Launch Database. Accessed July 3, 2023. '><sup>1</sup></a></span> The record launch pace came with a share of failures. Six launch vehicles failed to make it to space.

A rapid launch pace by the United States and China led to a mid-year launch record in 2023, with 97 launches worldwide. 2 The record launch pace came with a share of failures. Six launch vehicles failed to make it to space.

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Satellite Constellations Weave Growing Global Search and Rescue Safety Net

Satellites have played a pivotal role in search and rescue efforts for more than 40 years. Visionaries from around the world applied space technology to search and rescue efforts on Earth and built an enduring global humanitarian program. Satellite tracking has saved more than 57,000 people worldwide, since the system’s first rescue in 1982. With new equipment in the marketplace, its role keeps growing.

Satellites have played a pivotal role in search and rescue efforts for more than 40 years. Visionaries from around the world applied space technology to search and rescue efforts on Earth and built an enduring global humanitarian program. Satellite tracking has saved more than 57,000 people worldwide, since the system’s first rescue in 1982. With new equipment in the marketplace, its role keeps growing.

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Congressional Battles Rattle Space Budgets, With NASA Facing Deepest Cuts

Government space budgets appeared poised for large increases in March as a new Congress expressed zeal for exploration and national security space programs. By July, jeopardy loomed, with deep cuts in domestic spending that threaten NASA spending in the House and an automatic cut that could drive down the Pentagon budget on tap if lawmakers can’t reach a timely accord.

Government space budgets appeared poised for large increases in March as a new Congress expressed zeal for exploration and national security space programs. By July, jeopardy loomed, with deep cuts in domestic spending that threaten NASA spending in the House and an automatic cut that could drive down the Pentagon budget on tap if lawmakers can’t reach a timely accord.

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Government Space Spending Growth Slows to 8% in 2022

Government space spending in 2022 totaled nearly $119 billion, 8% higher than a revised total of $110 billion in 2021. Annual growth slowed significantly from the previous year, although 2021’s decade-high growth was primarily due to many nations rebounding from spending cuts in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial indications from enacted budget for 2023.

Government space spending in 2022 totaled nearly $119 billion, 8% higher than a revised total of $110 billion in 2021. Annual growth slowed significantly from the previous year, although 2021’s decade-high growth was primarily due to many nations rebounding from spending cuts in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial indications from enacted budget for 2023.

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Quilty Analytics Q2 2023 Quarterly Transactional Update

Transaction activity in the space and satellite sector echoed broader market trends during the second quarter, with fairly steady deal volumes as compared to the prior quarter. Volatility in the markets has subsided somewhat over the past year

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Euclid Joins James Webb Space Telescope to Probe the Universe’s Earliest Unknowns

Well before the Euclid telescope was on its way to join the James Webb Space Telescope nearly a million miles from Earth, engineers and scientists were deep into planning how the advancements and knowledge gained from Euclid and Webb will aid in building even more advanced telescopes to probe the next unknowns in the universe. The work is redefining science and delivering new technology for wider use on Earth.

Well before the Euclid telescope was on its way to join the James Webb Space Telescope nearly a million miles from Earth, engineers and scientists were deep into planning how the advancements and knowledge gained from Euclid and Webb will aid in building even more advanced telescopes to probe the next unknowns in the universe. The work is redefining science and delivering new technology for wider use on Earth.

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  1. Space Foundation Launch Database. Accessed July 3, 2023.
  2. Space Foundation Launch Database. Accessed July 3, 2023.