z 65
Specialize in niche technology areas Key recommendations ➢ Implement policies that attract international space business. ➢ Take into consideration existing national capabilities, industry, and gaps. ➢ Consider software development opportunities, or innovative downstream uses of space-based data collection. ➢ Weigh the opportunities and challenges of import substitution in the space sector. ➢ Solve local problems by developing niches in crosscutting technologies (e.g., additive manufacturing or mineral processing) with strong applicability to space.
E
merging players may specialize in niche areas in space to increase their impact in the international space market. Beyond the traditional space applications for communication, Earth observation, and navigation, there are many emerging markets for new actors to focus on, from asteroid mining to space tourism, and robotic satellite servicing.338 Generally, the economic potential of a country in space is less constrained by factors such as size and geography than on Earth. For example, the space roles and ambitions of geographically smaller global players, such as Luxembourg and the UAE 338 339 340
are outsized, particularly in their specialized areas. SES, one of the largest satellite communication companies is partly based in Luxembourg, a country with a population of less than a million. National support for innovative private companies and start-ups significantly contributes to the country’s status as a global space hub. Beyond space funding, policymaking has been instrumental in carving out a space niche for Luxembourg. Luxembourg became the second country in the world to legislate on space mining, encouraging this emerging area of the space sector.339 Countries may seek to implement policies and regulatory frameworks that attract international space business, though it is important that there is not a “race to the bottom” in terms of deregulation. In the pursuit of specialization, it is important to consider the country’s existing capabilities, while identifying gaps in the global space industry waiting to be filled. It is also essential to ensure that government space activities do not compete directly with existing commercial activities in the country.340 In addition to hardware, countries may pursue software development opportunities, or provide innovative services in the downstream use of space-based data collection. Existing remote sensing systems gather an array of data that could be used for new applications to solve a range of problems, from agriculture to tracking the poaching of wildlife. Countries may find new ways to utilize existing technology, as a
Kommel et al. (2020). International Space University (2017). Kommel et al. (2020).
EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SPACE
INTERPLANETARY INITIATIVE
