The Future of the Global Space Industry: Business Strategy at the Intersection of Technology and Geopolitics

Éditeurs invités

• Denis Leclerc, Thunderbird School of Global Management
• Vanessa Farsadaki, Thunderbird School of Global Management
• Daniel Thomas, Thunderbird School of Global Management

Synthèse

The global space industry is undergoing transformation driven by private companies and technological advances that have lowered costs and expanded space's strategic relevance. Advanced technologies including satellite miniaturization, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing now support diverse economic activities from telecommunications to climate monitoring. This evolution occurs within a complex geopolitical context where multiple nations are expanding their capabilities and international frameworks are being developed to govern competition in orbital environments.

This special issue seeks scholarly contributions examining the evolving global space economy and its implications for business strategy, international management, and governance. The journal particularly encourages submissions exploring cross-country dynamics, multinational enterprises, global value chains, and international frameworks shaping the commercial space sector, submitted as empirical research, theoretical work, comparative studies, policy analyses, or case studies.

Thèmes proposés

• Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies in Space: The role of artificial intelligence in mission planning, autonomous navigation, and satellite operations; big data analytics and the commercialization of satellite data; the impact of AI and cloud infrastructure on the global space innovation ecosystem
• Bioeconomics and Human Health: Biomedical research and pharmaceutical development in microgravity environments; advances in telemedicine and remote healthcare technologies derived from space research; implications of long-duration human spaceflight for global healthcare innovation
• Public–Private Partnerships and Innovation Ecosystems: Collaboration between governments and private firms in space development; comparative analyses of national space strategies and partnership models; governance mechanisms that enable innovation while managing technological and financial risks
• Geoeconomics and Global Collaboration: The role of space technologies in global development, climate monitoring, agriculture, and disaster response; the impact of geopolitical competition on international space collaboration; space as a domain of economic diplomacy and strategic competition
• Strategy and Global Business Implications: Space-based technologies and new business models across industries; implications for global supply chains, telecommunications, and financial services; corporate strategy and international competition in emerging space markets