United States
2007 – U.S. Space Industry Salaries
Along with growing space industry employment, the U.S. space industry workforce is well compensated. In 2006, the U.S. space industry paid an annual average wage of $## to its workers. This was more than double the private sector average wage of $## in 2006.
2007 – U.S. Space Industry Employment
Space industry core employment totaled ## jobs in 2006, a substantial increase of nearly ## space industry jobs from 2003. That increase of nearly ##% in just three years outpaced the ##% increase from 2003 to 2006 in overall U.S. private sector employment.
2007 – Official U.S. Workforce Statistics
The space industry sectors covered in this analysis are based on the U.S. government’s North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. For purposes of employment statistics, the space industry is comprised of companies that manufacture such products as radar systems, guided missiles and space vehicles, and space vehicle propulsion units, along with businesses that provide satellite telecommunications services.
2007 – The Space Industry Workforce: The Methodology
To provide the most accurate and verifiable statistics, our analysis is limited to industries that directly produce space industry products and services.
2007 – U.S. Space Workforce
According to the most recent study by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation, conducted in 2006, the estimated direct value of the goods and services produced by the U.S. commercial space transportation sector was approximately $## billion.
2007 – Demand Drivers and Growth Areas
Satellite-related products and services form the largest portion of the space industry, driven primarily by the use of communication and positioning satellites.
Commercial communications satellites provide both fixed and mobile satellite services. Fixed satellite services (FSS) are those where the ground receiver is stationary, pointed at one spot in the sky. Mobile satellite services (MSS) uplink and downlink to mobile users
More Efficient Shipping By Air
UPS is working with Aviation Communications and Surveillance Systems to develop landing patterns that separate planes by time, rather than distance, for maximum efficiency at the shipping company’s hub in Louisville, Kentucky.
Transoceanic Flights with High-speed Internet
Satellite communications are enabling new comforts for long-distance commuters and airline customers. JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Blue of Australia are among the airlines that offer satellite TV.
Improving Taxi Service In New York? When Satellites Fly
New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission imposed a new mandate requiring new technology, including GPS receivers and credit card terminals, in all 13,000 taxis in the city. Some taxi drivers and taxi companies have objected.
Waiting at the New York Bus Stop with GPS Accuracy
GPS is also being applied to public transportation challenges. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City began a pilot program to track buses with GPS devices, and use this data to calculate and display estimated arrival times at bus stops.