Space Economy Value Chain
Upstream
The segment encompasses companies operating in space or developing products for space: developing and/or operating satellites, launch vehicles, developing spacecraft payloads and components, innovative materials for use in space, etc.
The segment also includes companies where space is not their core business. For example, 3D printing, advanced materials tech companies that target space among a number of other industries or those that have participated in space projects, or biotech companies that have sent experiments to space with the goal of exploring the potential use of their technology in space.
Downstream
Downstream space sector encompasses technologies derived from space for use on Earth (e.g. materials and sensors originally developed for space but having found use in Earth-based applications) as well as technologies used in space with the main goal of serving Earth-based applications (mainly satellites: Earth observation, communication, navigation).
The segment also includes companies where space / space-derived tech is not their core tech. For example, companies that mention the use of satellite data among multiple other data sources.
Some companies belong to both Downstream and Upstream segments. For example, those operating their own satellites to deliver products / services on Earth (Earth observation satellite data for agritech, energy, etc.)
Value Chain Taxonomy
Upstream
Satellite design, construction, manufacturing & operation
Earth observation
Designing, manufacturing, operating Earth observation / remote sensing satellites. The data they collect (satellite imagery and remote sensing data) is used across multiple sectors from surveillance, border control, natural disasters and critical infrastructure monitoring to insurance, agriculture and content (e.g. photography) apps.
Communication / connectivity
Designing, manufacturing, operating communication / connectivity satellites. These satellites are used for telecommunications ( telephone / wireless / mobile/ cellular networks), broadcasting (radio and television) and data communications (Internet and M2M IoT). Satellite communications serve multiple applications from natural disaster tracking, emergency response to industrial connectivity and B2C applications.
Navigation
GNSS satellite systems (currently state owned), assistance in operation and maintenance of GNSS satellite systems, as well as designing, manufacturing, operating alternative PNT (positioning, navigation and timing) solutions using LEO satellites that augment heritage, government owned systems and/or work independently.
Ground infrastructure
Ground segment (incl. GSAAS – Ground Segment-as-a-Service), ground-based antennas, ground segment control software
Space transportation
Launch vehicles
Rocket-propelled vehicles to carry payload from Earth to space. The vehicles vary in size (heavy-lift, medium-, small- and microlaunchers) and by technology; can be crewed/uncrewed, reusable/non-reusable/partially reusable, etc.
In-space transportation spacecraft
Designing, manufacturing and operating orbital transfer and in-space logistics vehicles, satellite deployers, separation systems, as well as supporting systems and structures for orbital transportation, last-mile delivery and deployment of satellites.
Stratospheric balloons & platforms
High-altitude balloons, usually filled with hydrogen or helium, that are released into the stratosphere, generally attaining between 18 and 37 km above sea level. Typically used for space tourism as well as for uncrewed flights to carry payloads to space: satellites for testing, telescopes, antennas, etc.
Spaceplanes & hypersonic flight
Space planes incorporate features of an aircraft and a spacecraft, can carry crew and cargo. Hypersonic flight vehicles are space planes that can travel at extreme speeds, well over Mach 5. Hypersonics research is important both for aeronautics and space research to enable extremely fast travel on Earth as well as for future space exploration.
Space exploration
Space resource exploration
Rover platforms, robotic explorers, etc. for Lunar, planet and asteroid exploration and in-situ resource utilization (e.g. Lunar oxygen extraction, etc.)
Space utilities
In-space datacenters (on the Moon, on satellites, etc.) independent of the Internet, in-space power grids, lunar satellites, satellites for interplanetary communication/navigation, etc.
In-space manufacturing
Robotic assembly, additive manufacturing, etc. for in-space manufacturing, construction and assembly of spacecraft and spacecraft components, space habitats, large space structures like solar panels and aluminium beams, production of items/materials that can’t be produced on Earth, etc.
In-space human presence
Space habitats, space stations and tools to develop them on-site (robotics, additive manufacturing, etc.), in-space workstations and science labs, gardens & greenhouses for leisure/plant growth, in-space food manufacturing, on-site adaptive training tools for partial gravity, exercise equipment, spacesuits, radiation protection, space medicine, etc.
In-space operations, services & supporting software
Spacecraft servicing; space debris removal & recycling
Spacecraft servicing and life extension (in-space satellite inspection, relocation and orbit modification, de-orbiting, refuelling, etc.), space debris monitoring and removal
Mission planning & control
Mission analysis, planning and simulation tools for space applications (both hardware and software), tools enabling spacecraft autonomy, space traffic management and collision avoidance tools, ground station analysis tools, space surveillance, space weather, etc.
In-space research
Materials, health and biotech (3D printing of tissues and organs, research around aging, diseases, protein crystallization, stem cells, etc.), etc. research, equipment for in-space research (e.g. remotely controlled automated labs), in-space research mission simulation, planning and implementation services, etc.
Cybersecurity for space missions
Technologies enabling cybersecurity of space missions, ground segment, ground/space communication links, end-user applications and potentially also spacecraft design and development environments. Examples include encryption, authentication, etc. for spacecraft onboard operations, security for mission control software, simulation software for security testing, etc.
Parts, structures, payloads, components & materials
Spacecraft parts, structures & payloads
Main spacecraft parts and structures (e.g. satellite buses, actuators, etc.), as well as payloads – elements of the spacecraft dedicated to producing mission data and relaying that data back to Earth (antennas and optical communication terminals, spectrometers, radiometers, altimeters, telescopes, atomic clocks and oscillators, etc.)
Propulsion systems
Propulsion technologies (chemical/electric, solid/liquid/hybrid, using various propellants: water, iodine, xenon, argon, krypton, etc.; innovations like solar sails, etc.)
Chips & sensors
Design, development, production of semiconductors (chips, sensors, edge AI systems, etc.) tailored for space environment: resistant to radiation & extreme temperatures, able to operate in demanding mechanical environments, etc.
Materials
Development and manufacturing of advanced materials for space applications, including both Earth-based and in-space development of such materials.
Downstream
Agriculture & food
Satellite communications for data transmission, Earth observation for monitoring of soil moisture & weather forecasts, satellite navigation for asset tracking, in-space research for studying plant growth & biology
Health
Satellite tech for telemedicine & digital monitoring devices and for enabling the concept of One Health; research in microgravity (tissue engineering, cancer research, etc.) for health technology improvements
Aviation
Satellite services for air traffic management, airline operational communications & passenger in-flight connectivity, airport management & meteorology; urban air mobility; reduction of environmental impact in aviation
Maritime
Satellite technologies for maritime surveillance and safety/emergency response, transportation, all aspects of marine life and environment, aquatic-life monitoring, aquaculture & fisheries.
Culture & entertainment
Satellite technologies for content apps (e.g. location tracking in photo apps, earth observation data for content creation), gaming (e.g. enhancing AR/VR experiences), sports (acquiring 3D navigational data), etc.
Materials, mining & manufacturing
Satellite tech for site monitoring and connectivity at industrial plants and mining/construction sites; the use of advanced materials developed for space in Earth applications; in-space research leading to new achievements in industrial tech
Education
Satellite connectivity enabling access to online education around the world, including rural areas and developing countries
Mobility
Satellite navigation and connectivity for mobility and logistics and freight systems (e.g. for smart traffic management, goods tracking and connecting infrastructures)
Energy
Space-based data for mapping and measuring wind, wave, tidal and solar resources; satellite communications, navigation and Earth observation for the hydrocarbon and nuclear sectors; in-space research to study heat transfer processes
Security & safety
Space-based services and satellite technologies for maritime surveillance, border control, disaster preparedness, emergency response, critical infrastructure management, secure communications, humanitarian operations, etc.
Environment
Satellite technologies to monitor the essential climate variables, support in ocean conservation and restoration of land and forests, to assist companies in monitoring their environmental footprint & ESG compliance
Smart cities
Satellite connectivity for grid management (waste management, etc.), navigation for transport information & traffic modelling, Earth observation for urban planning & urban agriculture, etc.
Finance
Satellite data for investment evaluation, risk assessment, event impact assessment, real-time asset/portfolio monitoring, carbon offsets auditing, etc.
Tourism
Satellite technologies for intelligent routing and smart guides, up-to-date maps and weather reports, high-resolution imagery for 3D views & digital panoramas for marketing, data on tourist flows