MUMBAI: The International Space Business Council (ISBC) has released the report 2005 State of the Space Industry.
The global turnover generated from commercial services and government programmes reached $103 billion last year and is forecast to exceed $158 billion in 2010. More than $18 billion is spent annually on the development of space systems. India and China have joined the US, Europe, Russia, and Japan as having fully independent capabilities.
Satellite-to-consumer television has become a $40 billion worldwide market. The markets for satellite radio and GPS positioning and tracking are being validated with growth measured in the billions. The successful launch of new satellite broadband services in the US and Canada thios year could improve the market for commercial infrastructure. The development of a substantial space tourism market would have a positive but disruptive influence on the industry, though it is not likely to happen before 2010.
US Defense spending on space has grown from around $15 billion in 2000 to more than $22 billion today and is forecast to reach $28 billion by 2010. The report states, "Now is a good time to be involved in the space and satellite industry. Whether one’s focus is on military, civil government, or commercial activities, there are numerous opportunities – government funding for space is on the rise, commercial orders for satellites and launches have rebounded and stabilized, new exploration initiatives are being pursued, and entrepreneurial efforts related to radio, broadband, and space tourism are generating excitement".
ISBC president Scott Sacknoff says, ‘With the diversity of the sector ranging from Walmart’s IT network to Nasa Mars missions to the military’s hunt for Al Qaeda, the size of the industry should not be a surprise. Governments around the world look to the industry and see space and satellite technology, R&D, and services as vital to their nation. Commercial firms continue to see the industry as an opportunity.’
The report cites US export regulations under Itar as being the industry’s most serious issue and states, "What initially was a nuisance to businesses has evolved into a serious problem for the US industry".
