Space Economy of the Future

The World Economic Forum–McKinsey knowledge collaboration on space economy of the future looks to accelerate the role of the space ecosystem in driving sustainability, security, and technological development on Earth.

Featured Insight

Article

The role of space in driving sustainability, security, and development on Earth

– A new report reveals five actions that leaders can take to contribute to economic development, advance global security and sustainability, and make space a safe and globally accessible domain.

Insights from industry leaders

Article

Making aerospace ‘diverse and dynamic’: An interview with Airbus U.S.’s Debra Facktor

– One of the highest-ranking female executives in the aerospace industry foresees a space economy—and a space workforce—that look very different from today’s.
Podcast

Laying the foundations for a space economy
– Space already plays a larger role in our lives than we realize, and it’s only going to grow as new technologies and innovations... open up unimagined economic opportunities.
Podcast

Why on earth should business care about space?
– Two decades of technological innovation have unlocked a wealth of space-based opportunities for commercial entities to offer once-unimaginable... services.
Podcast

Space: Building a digital infrastructure above the sky
– Venture capitalist Mark Boggett offers an investor’s view of the strides being made in space technology, its practical applications,... and its potential impact.

The Next Normal

Collection

The Next Normal – The future of space: It’s getting crowded out there
– Could you soon be taking trips to outer space? Some experts think so. Rocket launches have become much less expensive, so thousands... more satellites—and many more people than ever before—can venture into orbit. But more objects in space also mean more space debris and higher risks of collisions. In this edition of The Next Normal, McKinsey experts and industry executives envision the space industry’s next decade.
Commentary

Wall Street to Mission Control: Can space tourism pay off?
– With the COVID-19 pandemic curtailing earthly travel, space tourism may seem like a far-fetched dream—but some companies are betting... on high demand.

Insights on the Space Economy of the Future

Article

A different space race: Raising capital and accelerating growth
– As innovation accelerates within the space sector, companies may benefit by taking a disruptor’s mindset to accessing and... deploying capital.
Article

Space around the globe
– The United States remains the epicenter of space activity, but many more countries are getting involved and increasing their investments.
Article

R&D for space: Who is actually funding it?
– Government still funds most space-sector R&D, but private companies have recently driven a notable uptick in overall investment.
Commentary

Expectations versus reality: Commercial satellite constellations
– Despite a steady, sizeable uptick in announced commercial constellations over the past few years, many constellation operators... have yet to meet original ambitions.
Article

The potential of microgravity: How companies across sectors can venture into space
– Should you move your R&D and manufacturing into the ether? A new McKinsey analysis explores the opportunities.
Article

Space: Investment shifts from GEO to LEO and now beyond
– Investors have recently focused on space ventures in low-Earth orbit, but interest is growing in lunar and beyond orbital regimes.... Here’s what you need to know about this ongoing trend.
Article

Is there a ‘best’ owner of satellite internet?
– New satellite internet concepts are moving ahead. Are some types of companies better positioned to succeed in this growing market... than others?
Article

Large LEO satellite constellations: Will it be different this time?
– New satellite constellations are on the cusp of deployment, but their long-term success hinges on substantial cost reductions.

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Ryan Brukardt
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Jesse Klempner