ABSTRACT
This chapter describes recent advances in the commercial space sector, to include emerging capabilities and the recent influx of investment capital. Topics addressed include developments in commercial space launch, small satellites and mega-constellations, data analytics, human space flight, debris removal, space situational awareness, on-orbit servicing, and resource extraction, among other areas. These advances are put in context of implementing a practical space strategy.
The commercial space sector will play a substantial role in space strategy’s development. This will be because either the commerce enabled by space-relevant technologies is considered a vital national interest that needs protecting or because the commercial space sector will help provide the means to help achieve a strategy’s goals. For many countries, space-relevant commercial technology, capabilities, and services are already interwoven into how their militaries train and fight.
