GNSS and Satellite Navigation

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)

• Consumer electronics companies provide devices and services using location-based data, similar to GPS.
• GNSS is an illustration of a downstream market, only linked to the space industry by satellite signals and data used in consumer products.

Space Exploration Activities

• Space exploration drives investments in innovation and science, and is a key activity for space agencies and industry.
• Space sciences and planetary missions have developed significantly over the years, with new actors joining in.
• Robotic spacecraft have been sent to all planets in the Solar System, with Mars being a prominent destination for future missions.
• Reaching Mars remains a challenge, with nearly two-thirds of spacecraft destined for Mars failing to complete their missions.

Human Spaceflight Activities

• More countries are investing in human spaceflight capabilities, often in collaboration with other countries.
• Commercial space transportation for cargo and crews to low Earth orbit is dependent on the performance of firms.
• Space tourism activities are being developed, offering zero-gravity/sub-orbital flights and orbital space travel to private consumers.

Satellite Earth Observation

• Satellite Earth Observation (EO) systems play an increasingly important role in the global economy.
• EO systems provide unique capabilities to manage and monitor natural resources, land-use, and understand societal issues like pollution and climate change.
• The United States, China, India, Europe, and France lead in the number of ongoing satellite missions.
• The total number of earth observation satellites is expected to double by 2021 to over 300.

International Trade in Selected Space Products

• International trade in space products, such as satellites and rockets, is relatively limited and highly regulated.
• There has been a significant increase in export volume due to internationalized manufacturing and intra-firm trade.

Space-related Patents

• Patenting in the space sector is not as common as other sectors due to commercial discretion and institutional confidentiality.
• The United States leads in patent applications for space-related technologies, but its share has decreased over time.
• Other countries with a high amount of patenting in space activities include the Russian Federation, France, Israel, and others.

Scientific Production in the Space Sector

• Scientific papers on satellite technologies have been published since the late 1950s, but remained limited to a few experts for almost 30 years.
• The growing role of satellite observations in natural resources management and climate monitoring drives recent research papers using satellite data.

Insurance Market for Space Activities

• Launching satellites involves major risks, including failure at launch, mechanical troubles, and space debris.
• The insurance sector specifically covers the commercial space sector's operations, including risks such as launch and deployment failure, space debris, and solar storms.