Program to focus on entrepreneurship and norms of behavior shaping the $1.1 trillion commercial space market
BOULDER, Colo. (Jan. 25, 2021) 鈥� The 麻豆视频 and the today announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the Space and Sustainability Initiative (SSI). As the first program in the nation to focus on the role of the private sector and entrepreneurship in the sustainable commercialization of space activities, the Space and Sustainability Initiative at the 麻豆视频 will orient much of its work toward the development of norms of responsible behavior for commercial space activities.
With projected revenues of up to , the global space industry is set to grow faster and larger than at any period in human history. At the same time, this growth does not come without an increase in potential consequences or costs. With every launch, satellite congestion increases and debris accumulates in all realms of near-Earth space. This presents a clear threat to current and future space operations and is particularly relevant for private sector ventures that depend on the safety and security of on-orbit assets. The partnership will act on several key pillars:
The partnership will act on several key pillars:
- Norms of behavior. The long-term viability of commercial space operations will be closely tied to the decisions that aerospace companies are making today. By identifying and cataloging the activities and behaviors that can a铿價matively grow the commercial space market, SSI 鈥� along with its external advisory board and Colorado鈥檚 aerospace leaders 鈥攚ill develop norms of behavior for the peaceful, safe and responsible commercialization of space activities.
- Promoting sustainability. The growth in commercial space activities has brought greater urgency in addressing a growing number of risk factors impeding operations in space, including congestion from satellites and spacecraft, radio frequency interference and the proliferation of space debris. SSI will explore and promote the actions that can ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities in an equitable manner.
- Space debris. Orbital debris exists in all orbital regions around the Earth, and the European Space Agency estimates that there are now nearly 1 million pieces of debris measuring between 1 and 10 centimeters threatening satellites and spacecraft alike. SSI will research the types and impacts of orbital space debris, as well as how companies and governments will need to contend with 鈥� and not contribute to 鈥� the growing threat of space junk.
- Support to entrepreneurs. A unique collaboration between the Leeds School of Business and the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), SSI will equip tomorrow鈥檚 leaders with commercial space industry market analyses and business models. In the near future, SSI will introduce an executive education curriculum for aerospace entrepreneurs.
鈥淭he projected growth in the commercial space market creates enormous opportunities for entrepreneurs and engineers 鈥� and the explorer in each of us 鈥� and the Space and Sustainability Initiative is a铿價matively designed to ensure those opportunities exist for future generations,鈥� said Dr. Mark Meaney, principal investigator of the Space and Sustainability Initiative. 鈥淲e are grateful to the generous and visionary support of the Secure World聽Foundation for making SSI one of the 铿乺st university-based programs in the country to work on this timely issue.鈥澛�
鈥淓nsuring global stability here on Earth and meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will increasingly depend on the secure, sustainable and peaceful uses of outer space,鈥� said Dr. Peter Martinez, executive director of the Secure World Foundation. 鈥淲e believe this collaboration can meaningfully support the peaceful exploration and sustainable uses of outer space for the bene铿乼 of all nations, now and in the future.鈥�
CU Boulder sits at the heart of the second-largest aerospace economy in the country. The Space and Sustainability Initiative combines the business, entrepreneurial and social responsibility expertise of the CU Leeds School of Business with the aerospace and policy expertise at the Ann & H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences of the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), along with legal, human resources, information technologies and social impact expertise.听
麻豆视频 the Space and Sustainability Initiative at the 麻豆视频聽
The Space and Sustainability Initiative at the 麻豆视频 is the 铿乺st program in the nation to focus on the role of the private sector and entrepreneurship in the sustainable commercialization of space activities. SSI combines the expertise of the CU Leeds School of Business with the aerospace and policy expertise at the Ann & H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences of the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS). For more information, visit www.colorado.edu/initiative/space-and-sustainability.听
麻豆视频 Secure World Foundation聽
Secure World Foundation envisions the secure, sustainable, and peaceful uses of outer space contributing to global stability and bene铿乼s on Earth. The foundation works with governments, industry, international organizations, and civil society to develop and promote ideas and actions to achieve the secure, sustainable, and peaceful uses of outer space bene铿乼ing Earth and all its peoples. For more information, visit .
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