Economy
Commercial Infrastructure and Support Industries
2011 – Commercial Infrastructure and Support Industries Snapshot
Revenue for commercial space infrastructure, which includes satellite manufacturing, launch services, space stations, ground stations, and associated equipment, totaled $## billion in 2011. Information regarding government spending on space infrastructure can be found in the Government Space Budgets section.
2011 – Economy Snapshot
The global space industry showed very strong growth in 2011, increasing more than ##% from 2010. Commercial space revenue and government budgets reached a record total of $## billion in 2011. This follows a trend of continuing expansion in the global space economy, demonstrating a five-year growth rate of ##% from $## billion in 2006, with the largest growth registered in commercial infrastructure and support industries.
Economy: Space Economy – TSR 2011
2010 – Commercial Human Spaceflight – Snapshot
Development continued in 2010 on new commercially operated transportation services that can carry cargo, passengers, and possibly professional astronauts into space. SpaceX and Orbital Sciences made significant progress in development of cargo transportation systems that will be used to resupply the ISS. NASA provided funding to advance development of commercial crew transportation concepts. Although no commercial human spaceflight occurred in 2010, companies developing vehicles to carry people into space attracted investment while testing vehicles and passing milestones in infrastructure development.
2010 – Space Stations – Snapshot
The ISS is the only crewed space station in orbit. Due to be completed in 2011, the ISS is also the most active and massive space station ever deployed. NASA, a main contributor, received $## billion for the ISS in fiscal year (FY) 2010 compared to $## billion approved by Congress in FY 2009. This funding does not include flight or ground operations costs of shuttle flights to and from the ISS. Two new modules were added to the ISS during 2010. In February, Space Shuttle Endeavour delivered the Tranquility module, which contains life support systems and a unique seven-windowed cupola from which astronauts can conduct robotic operations.
2010 – Satellite Manufacturing – Snapshot
In 2010, a total of ## satellites were launched into space, up by #% from the ## satellites launched in 2009. This total includes most spacecraft but excludes missions to the ISS and launch vehicle demonstration missions. The ## satellites represented approximately $## billion in manufacturing revenue. This figure represents a ##% decline from the 2009 total of $## billion.
2010 – Launch Industry – Snapshot
In 2010, ## orbital launches occurred carrying ## payloads into space. These payloads included satellites, other types of robotic spacecraft, and cargo and crew missions to the International Space Station (ISS). Compared to the ## launches that took place in 2009, the launch rate in 2010 represents a #% decrease, discontinuing a five-year annual average growth rate of #% from 2005-2009.
2010 – Commercial Infrastructure and Support Industries – Snapshot
Revenue for commercial space infrastructure, which includes launch services, satellite manufacturing, ground stations, and associated equipment, totaled $## billion in 2010. Information regarding government spending on space infrastructure can be found in Government Space Budgets.
Economy: Space Economy – TSR 2010
2009 – Commercial Human Spaceflight – Snapshot
Revenue from in-space activities derives mainly from commercial business taking place in space or transportation services to and from space. For example, governments plan to use the private sector to deliver cargo, and eventually astronauts, to the ISS. In the future, other in-space markets could include research and development services, manufacturing, satellite refueling, and orbital debris clean-up. Based on current in-orbit activity, there are three main categories: platform-based services, transportation-based services, and personal spaceflight.