In the meantime, we should expect an increasing use of space for "global utilities." These utilities warrant the term in its fullest sense. Access to high-data-rate, space-based, global access communications (complemented by effective but not ubiquitous terrestrial networks) is increasing and will likely see continued deployment of the so-called big LEO constellations of small communications satellites. ( More ... )

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Shaw, John E. and Simon P. Worden. Whither Space Power?: Forging a Strategy for the New Century. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Air University, 2002. [ 8 quotes ] [ page 138 ]

 

This brief, highly speculative discussion only tells us that space could very well come to represent a vital and increasingly large share of the global economy. Indeed, space already is an economic engine in some cases. Resources and opportunities are limited at some locations (e.g., GEO communications satellite slots). Immense wealth opportunities, sources of vital infrastructure, and limited resources invariably provide the basis for conflict. As the world returns to its traditional multinational competition, and as threats of global war recede, such conflicts could well escalate. ( More ... )

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Shaw, John E. and Simon P. Worden. Whither Space Power?: Forging a Strategy for the New Century. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Air University, 2002. [ 8 quotes ] [ page 99 ]

 

[W]hile the public continues to identify space most closely with scientific exploration and high adventure, space has also become a big business and represents a huge investment in terms of capital assets and jobs. The root cause for this explosion in space activity has been the ever-widening array of goods and services satellites provide to both the national security and commercial sectors. ( More ... )

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Klotz, Frank G. Space, Commerce, and National Security. Washington, D.C.: Council on Foreign Relations, January 1999. [ 12 quotes ] [ page 6 ]

 

Civil and commercial interests in space are rapidly outpacing military concerns and are becoming a central focus for many national economies. As a service to the state, the military role is typically to organize, train, equip and posture forces -- complete with weapons -- to defend those interests. Space weapons will necessarily follow space commerce -- that is, they will 'follow the money'. A growing number of states have enormous commercial and social interests in space. The United States estimates that by 2003, the Global Positioning System (GPS) will generate $16 billion per year in revenue in addition to having crucial national security applications. Space policy experts estimate that by 2010, the cumulative US investment in space will exceed $500 billion -- equal to the value of all US investments in Europe. Hundreds of billions of dollars of US commerce rely on these space resources. And while the United States may be a leader in space, it is only one of many countries pursuing similar goals.

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Deblois, Bruce M. "The Advent of Space Weapons." Astropolitics. Vol. 1, No. 1 (Summer 2003). [ 15 quotes ]

 

Hundreds of billions of dollars in resources are invested in globally exposed assets orbiting the earth that directly support national economies and militaries, and in general, the twenty-first century civilized way of life. The total economic impact resulting from the destruction of space-based resources would be far greater than the loss of revenues from these assets, as many other sectors rely critically on satellite-related services. As such, any exposed and valuable asset is a target for adversaries � a target warranting protection. ( More ... )

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Deblois, Bruce M. "The Advent of Space Weapons." Astropolitics. Vol. 1, No. 1 (Summer 2003). [ 15 quotes ]

 

The use of space-based global utilities, including navigation, weather, and search and rescue systems, has grown significantly over the last decade. For example, GPS unit consumption grew by approximately 25 percent per year between 1996 and 1999, generating sales revenue of $6.2 billion in 1999. Today, these systems have grown into space applications that have become almost indispensable to the civil, commercial, and military sectors, as well as most modern economies. Since 2001, satellite based search and rescue systems have saved the lives of approximately 1,500 people per year, double the 1996 rate. The number of states developing satellite-based navigation capabilities has grown, from Russia and the US in 1990, to include three new systems led by China, the EU, and Japan in 2003. The strategic value of satellite navigation was underscored by the conflict over frequencies for Galileo and GPS. ( More ... )

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Cowan-Sharp, Jessy, Robert Lawson et al. Space Security Index 2004. Waterloo, Ontario: Space Security Index, June 2005. [ 13 quotes ] [ page XII ]

 

For many Americans, the most visible images of space are the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. These programs have accomplished amazing things and have greatly contributed to our quality of life. ... In total, today's space industry exceeds $100 billion annually world-wide, and is projected to exceed $150 billion per year by 2010. We could do without space capabilities, but only if we are willing to step back in time about 30 years. ( More ... )

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Lord, Lance W. "Why America Needs Space: The Prerequisites for Success." High Frontier Journal. Vol. 2, No. 1 (September 2005): 2-3. [ 2 quotes ] [ page 2 ]

 

Whether most people realise it or not, outer space is now part of everyday life for much of the planet's population. Satellites have become fundamental to modern society, especially so in the developed world but also increasingly in developing nations. Broadcast television, the internet, ATM machines, banking transfers, telephone service, credit card validation, weather prediction, terrestrial and oceanic mapping, atmospheric and natural disaster monitoring, urban planning, navigation, and even targeting of sophisticated weaponry all rely on the use of satellites. At least 19 nations have launch capabilities and some 40 operate satellites for various purposes, and there are some 600 to 800 operational satellites currently in orbit, although the exact number is impossible to find due to lack of any centralised database. ( More ... )

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Hitchens, Theresa. "Safeguarding Space: Building Cooperative Norms to Dampen Negative Trends." Disarmament Diplomacy. No. 81 (Winter 2005). [ 9 quotes ]

 

The year 2005 saw more states access space. Iran's first satellite was launched with the help of Russia in October, making Iran the 45th
space-faring state. The same launch put the NCUBE-2, Norway's first domestically developed satellite, into orbit, to be used to track
reindeer and ship movements. Kazakhstan had planned the launch of its first satellite for 25 December 2005, but the launch was delayed until 2006 by unspecified technical difficulties. Reports in February 2005 announced that Sudan planned to have its first satellite launched before the end of 2005, but the launch did not take place. In December 2005 the New Zealand government approved plans to have the country's first satellite launched in 2010. In addition, the Prime Minister of Vietnam formally requested that authorities consider allowing the country to have its own satellite by 2008. Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Corp was asked to begin bidding for the "Vinasat" satellite, which would occupy the 132 degrees East GEO orbital slot. Vietnam has until the second quarter of 2008 to put a satellite into GEO before it loses rights to the orbital slot it reserved several years ago with the ITU.

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Collard-Wexler, Simon, Thomas Graham et al. Space Security 2006. Waterloo, Ontario: Space Security Index, July 2006. [ 26 quotes ] [ page 40 ]

 

One of the primary reasons for the rapid proliferation of space actors in recent years is the growing realization that the space industry will continue to play a vital role in the growth of the world’s national economies. In 1996, global space industry revenue from commercial sources exceeded revenue earned from government spending on space activity for the first time (fiftythree percent to forty-seven percent of total revenue, respectively). According to a report from the Department of Commerce, “the markets for commercial space transportation, satellite communications, space-based remote sensing, and satellite navigation totaled over $80 billion in global revenues in 2000.” ( More ... )

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Park, Andrew T. "Incremental Steps for Achieving Space Security: The Need for a New Way of Thinking to Enhance the Legal Regime for Space." Houston Journal of International Law. Vol. 28, No. 3 (2006): 871-911. [ 11 quotes ] [ page 879 ]