In 2024, the global space economy reached $613 billion, reflecting a 7.8 percent increase from the previous year. This milestone highlights the increasingly significant role of space activities in economic development, national security, and community impact.

Strong Commercial Contribution
About 78 percent of the total value was generated by the commercial sector, demonstrating the maturity and dynamism of private space enterprises. Government spending accounted for the remaining 22 percent, amounting to approximately $132 billion, including around $77 billion invested by the United States in civil and national security programs.

Record-Breaking Launch Activity
The first half of 2025 saw an exceptionally active launch cadence, with 149 orbital launches—an average of one launch every 28 hours. SpaceX alone was responsible for 81 launches, representing over half of the global total during that period.

Explosive Growth in Emerging Commercial Segments
Several nascent sectors are showing remarkable expansion, albeit from small baselines:

• Commercial human spaceflight surged by 611 percent.
• In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) increased by 168 percent.

Outlook—Toward a Trillion-Dollar Space Economy
If current trends persist, projections suggest the global space economy could surpass $1 trillion by approximately 2032.

References

• The Space Report 2025 Q2, Space Foundation, July 22, 2025 – details on the $613 billion global space economy, commercial/government share, U.S. spending, launch cadence, and trillion-dollar projection. (Space Foundation)
• What You Missed on The Vector Episode 27, Space Foundation, July 31, 2025 – insights on growth rates in commercial human spaceflight and ISAM. (Space Foundation)