Space, 10 questions (and answers) on the economy of the future

The so-called space economythat set of space-related activities they produce economic value for humanity, it is something that increasingly affects the markets and also our daily lives. Just think of the appearance of private actors like SpaceX and Blue Origin that move immense capital to manage purely space activities, such as i launches of innovative carriers or the construction of satellite megaconstellations avant-garde. But you can also think about technologies that depend on satellite constellations, such as smartphones or navigation tools, weather services and more; or to those that find the economic benefit deriving from satellite technologies, such asprecision agriculture or environmental protection: these areas are also linked to the space economy.

“The space economy is valid today globally 469 billion dollars, with double-digit percentage growth forecasts for the coming decades. But what is more important is that it will also offer opportunities to less developed countries, contributing to the achievement of the sustainable development goals”Are words from the book Space Economy – The new frontier of development (Egea-Bocconi University Press) by Simonetta di Pippodirector of Space Economy Evolution Lab from SDA Bocconi School of Management and previously director of the Human Spaceflight of ESA and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. The book touches on many different aspects of the space economy, from the purest exploration of space to recent developments in space tourism, through to off-earth communications, the asteroid economy, and the management of space junk. Here you are 10 questions to which Simonetta di Pippo gives an answer in the book.