United States
Global space activity by category, 2007-2027
The global space economy totaled $546 billion in 2022, 8% higher than 2021 — and it could reach $772 billion by 2027, according to Space Foundation analysis. Commercial space continues to make up the majority (78%) of this total, but preliminary data shows that 81% of governments with space programs increased spending in 2023.
Astronaut by top nations
The majority of astronauts (95%) have also reached the Kármán line at 100 km — the internationally recognized boundary of space.
As launch failures grow, satellite operators are more resilient to risk
Increasing annual launches and new players in the launch market have led to several notable payload delivery failures over the past few years.
U.S. Private Sector Space Employment Shows Steady Growth
Monitoring trends in this workforce across private, civil, and national security sectors and examining changes in wages and location of employment provides insight into broader space industry dynamics.
2 U.S. spaceports gain funds amid huge upswing in launch pace
In the last decade, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (the Cape) in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California have supported more launches than other U.S. launch facilities.
SNAPSHOT: Global space economy
The global space economy totaled $546 billion in 2022, 8% higher than 2021 — and it could reach $772 billion by 2027, according to Space Foundation analysis.
NASA Civil Servant Workforce, FY 2013-2023
NASA employed approximately 18,372 employees in 2023. This is an increase of 3.1% over employment in 2022.
U.S. space private industry employment, 2012-2023
Some experts in the space sector worry that high inflation may put significant pressure on aerospace firms as the cost of materials increases rapidly.
2020s is the busiest decade for Moon landings in 50 years
In the span of six months from 2023 to 2024, three countries landed spacecraft on the Moon, and many more are in the works.
Budget proposals deny increases to NASA, Space Force
Federal space budgets would shrink in 2025 under a March proposal issued by President Joe Biden. The budget, which comes after several years of spending increases on space programs, has been tied to NASA layoffs and program delays.