The orbital economy signifies the burgeoning commercial ecosystem beyond Earth's atmosphere. It encompasses a diverse range of space-based activities, including...
The orbital economy encompasses all commercial, governmental, and scientific activities conducted in Earth's orbit and beyond, including manufacturing, research, tourism, communications, and resource extraction, driving economic value from space.
Key sectors include satellite services (telecom, navigation, Earth observation), in-orbit servicing and manufacturing, space tourism, asteroid mining, and future space station operations for research and commerce.
Participants range from established aerospace corporations and national space agencies to private ventures, startups, and international consortia, all contributing to the commercialization and exploration of space.
Significant challenges include high launch costs, space debris mitigation, regulatory complexities, geopolitical tensions, and the need for sustainable, long-term funding and technological development.