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.” In addition to revenues, it has been reported that more than 800,000 people worldwide have been employed by the space industry since 1996. Some of the most profitable high-tech economic sectors in the world, such as software and hardware development and telecommunications, have been fueled by civilian space activities. In the United States alone spacetechnology industries have generated approximately $125 billion worth of profits in 2000, and it is estimated that by 2010 U.S. investment in outer space could reach as high as $600 billion, which would be comparable to the total current U.S. investment in Europe.

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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 ]