2014
2014 – Satellite Communications
Satellite communications segment revenues for 2014 rose slightly to $## billion, ##% higher than the $## billion in revenue for 2013. Although broadcasts from satellites are a form of satellite communications, for the purposes of this report satellite communications are two-way transmission links between users and the satellites themselves. The links transmit data, voice, and video—although the distinction between…
2014 – Satellite Television
DTH television continues to be the biggest single revenue contributor in the commercial space products and services market, providing ##% of the market’s revenues in 2014, estimated at $## billion. Two U.S. DTH providers, DIRECTV and DISH Network, earned ##% of 2014’s total estimated DTH television revenues. Combined, the total revenue for the two companies increased by #%, from $## billion in 2013 to $## billion in 2014. The remaining $## billion was generated by DTH providers in other regions.
2014 – Commercial Space Products and Services Overview
Revenue growth slowed for commercial space products and services in 2014, with total revenue rising only ##% from 2013 to an estimated $## billion. Four primary business segments generate revenues within the commercial space products and services sector: direct-to-home (DTH) television, satellite communications, satellite radio, and Earth observation (EO). The satellite broadcast services—DTH television and satellite radio—make up ##% of the commercial products and services sector, with DTH television bringing in the largest share of 2014 revenue. DTH revenue grew to $## billion in 2014, up ##% from $## billion in 2013.
2014 – Workforce
The space industry operates at the cutting edge of technology and requires a highly skilled, highly trained workforce to build, launch, and utilize space assets. Trends in the size and composition of this workforce provide insight into ongoing dynamics and future health of the sector.
2014 – U.S. Space Industry Salaries
The space industry is well known for its highly paid workforce, which generally provides salaries above the average even among science and engineering jobs. In 2013, the average salary in the U.S. civilian space workforce was $##, more than double the average private sector salary. The highest-paying sector, Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing, had an average salary of nearly $##.
2014 – Trends and Events Affecting U.S. Employment
While trends in employment levels varied, wages grew across almost all sectors from 2008 to 2013, even accounting for inflation. In fact, the two industry sectors with the greatest percentage decreases in workforce size were those with the greatest increases in real wages. Average salaries for Satellite Telecommunications increased by ##%.
2014 – U.S. Space Workforce
The U.S. space workforce is one of the largest in the world, despite continued contraction. The U.S. civilian space workforce has declined ##% since peaking in 2006, employing ## employees in 2013. The increasing percentage of the workforce eligible for retirement, the lack of federal funding stability, and the competition in attracting highly qualified candidates may contribute to this trend.
2014 – U.S. National Security Workforce
U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) holds responsibility for military space operations, along with nuclear command and control, cybersecurity, and other strategic threats. Day-to-day planning and execution for USSTRATCOM’s space mission is carried out by the Joint Functional Component Command for Space (JFCC Space), headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
2014 – Chinese Spaceports
China is rumored to have completed its newest spaceport, Wenchang Satellite Launch Center. Located on the coast of the southern Chinese island of Hainan, the spaceport will be able to receive large rocket stages transported via ship, avoiding railway tunnels and bridges.
2014 – Russian Spaceports
Vostochny Cosmodrome, formerly an old nuclear missile base called Svobodny, is slated to become Russia’s newest spaceport when it begins operations in 2015. After years of delay, construction at the site began in 2011 at an estimated cost of $## billion. The cosmodrome is located in Russia’s Far East and is expected to serve as Russia’s primary launch facility once it reaches fully operational status.