26 JAN 2026 (MON) 15:05 - 15:35

Investigating Variation in Space Industry Activities, 2000-2025

Mr BONSOR David James Sam

( Supervisor: Prof Patrick Adler )

Abstract:

Space activities are commonly understood to have been dominated by state-led programmes in United States and the Soviet Union during the pioneering stage of the industry beginning in 1950s. Since the early 2000s, as rocket and satellite technologies have become more accessible, economics more affordable, and regulation more amenable, the industry has experienced a rapid renaissance with the emergence of new private space companies, across a broader range of nations, utilising technologies that underpin our modern connected way of life. This research is expected to be the first comprehensive scholarly investigation of the global geographies of space industry activities and interrogates the national-level factors and institutions that shape heterogeneity in economic, industrial and technological capabilities. The core of this study is to understand how these national factors shape and propel space industrial activities, which involve highly customised engineering, is both technology and capital intensive, and require significant co-operation between producing companies and their government and business customers.

The objectives of this research are to: (i) understand the geographical structure of space industry activities during 2000-2025 including how the share of activities from private sector has evolved; (ii) determine national-level factors that produce variations in space industry activities (e.g. national space goals, state capacity, number of engineers); (iii) understand viability of private space companies through demand for space products and services, especially from government; and (iv) investigating financial sustainability of private space companies by understanding available financing sources. Mixed methods will be used, through sourcing extensive quantitative data on companies, space activities, national-level factors, contracts and financing, augmented with semi-structured qualitative interviews with industry players to add deeper insight into the nature of challenges, opportunities and constraints encountered by companies across their operating environments, customers, shareholders, and financing structures.

In addition to the first expected comprehensive scholarly review of the global geographies of space industry activities and national variations, the research also looks to contribute in particular an in-depth understanding of both the evolution of demand for space products and services, and the financing sources available to the private companies that have emerged. Through the example of the space industry, this study looks to contribute to debates around the diversity of systems and institutions, user demand for complex products systems, as well as financing of emerging technologically-advanced industries.