2018
Estimated spending for NASA and U.S. national security space, 2005-2025


The Pentagon made up more than a third of global defense spending, with $851 billion in 2024, including a record $30 billion for the Space Force.
Earth observation revenue, 2014-2023


Access Markets International estimates that the global Earth Observation sector generated $5.9 billion in revenue in 2023, up 8% over $5.4 billion in 2022.
NASA commercial contracts awarded, 2016-2023


Through the CLPS initiative, NASA is working with 14 American companies to provide payload integration to, and surface operations on, the Moon. The initiative holds a cumulative maximum contract value of $2.6 billion through 2028.
Global space activity by category, 2005-2023


Commercial space revenues, which make up the majority of the space economy, grew 6.5% in 2023 to reach $445 billion. Government space spending increased by double digits for the third year in a row and reached a peak in the proportion of nations increasing their space budgets.
Global space economy steadily grows to $570 billion


The global space economy grew 7.4% to $570 billion in 2023, the second year of consistent growth based on revised 2021 and 2022 totals.
Satellites central to 2023’s record defense spending


Led by the United States with $835 billion in total defense spending, military budgets around the world grew to record levels in 2023 and appear on track for another record year in 2024, driven by increased tensions in Asia, the outbreak of war between Israel and militant groups, and the grinding conflict in Ukraine.
2024 launch pace easily exceeds 2023’s record midyear mark


Global launches through June 30 were up nearly 30% from 2023, easily eclipsing last year’s record 97 first half launches with 126. Launch failures also fell in the first half of 2024 despite the higher launch activity. The pace is expected to accelerate through the second half of 2024, with key launch vehicles set for first flights.
Commercial space revenues climb to $445 billion in 2023


Commercial space activity has grown rapidly in recent years, although definitions for this activity vary. For the purposes of this analysis, commercial space activity is defined to include products sold to private customers and efforts undertaken by private industry in which private actors take on a significant portion of the financial risk.
Launch failures by number of satellites lost, 2003-2023


In 2023, launch failures resulted in the loss of 31 satellites, an increase of 48% from 2022.
Cumulative spacecraft on orbit, 1957-2023


Federal agencies in 2014 estimated by 2022 as many as 43 commercial satellites a year would head to orbit. Instead, more than 50 times . . .