Definition and Analysis of the International Commercial Spaceflight Industry, 2006-2012

Abstract

Industry trends show increasing diversity among the kinds of companies participating in the commercial spaceflight industry, more aggressive investment by established aerospace primes, an increasing role by NASA in enabling the orbital spaceflight industry, and progress toward commercial suborbital human spaceflight capability. The Tauri Group is conducting a study on behalf of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation of the commercial spaceflight. The study solicits data from 2009 through 2012, building on a similar effort that covered the years 2006 through 2008. The study is conducted with the cooperation of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) and its member companies. Data from non-member companies isalso obtained for a broader and more global depiction of the industry. The purpose of the study is to provide an accurate picture of the commercial spaceflight industry that is useful to investors, entrepreneurs, regulators, media, and industry analysts. The quantitative analysis portion of this study is ongoing. This paper provide preliminary results and a status report on the activities of commercial spaceflight companies.