Shelli Brunswick is CEO & Founder of SB Global LLC and an international keynote speaker on tech used for the betterment of humanity.
We are living at the dawn of a new era—one where space is no longer the domain of a few but a strategic frontier for any nation bold enough to lead, collaborate and invest with vision.
That transformation was on full display at the official inauguration of the African Space Agency. While the event marked a new chapter in Africa’s space journey, the call to action was articulated earlier by Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Council, at a previous continental conference: “Space is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. … Africa must not remain a mere consumer of space technologies—it must become a producer.”
With the global space economy projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, every region of the world is looking to unlock its share of this growth, using space to drive innovation, sustainability and national competitiveness.
However, building a space economy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It demands vision, coordination and a clear road map. Across sectors and continents, four foundational pillars consistently emerge as the engine of progress: leadership, awareness, access and action. This is where the journey begins.
Leadership: Strategic Vision Is The Launchpad
A thriving space economy begins with strategic leadership that is coordinated across government, industry and academia. Each plays a vital role in shaping an ecosystem that is sustainable, commercially viable and aligned with national development goals.
Governments set the foundation. In 2016, Luxembourg launched its SpaceResources.lu initiative, becoming the first nation to legislate ownership of space resources. This bold policy move attracted global investment and established Luxembourg as a leading hub for space commercialization.
Industry leadership turns vision into value. Initially established in 2006 and restructured in 2015, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has played a central role in advancing the UAE’s National Space Programme. MBRSC led the development of the Hope Probe to Mars and the Rashid Lunar Rover, demonstrating how strategic investment in talent and technology can drive innovation and global collaboration.
Leadership is more than setting a vision—it’s building the frameworks, institutions and talent to make it a reality.
Awareness: Bridging The Gap Between Innovation And Impact
Once national leadership sets the course, the next essential step is building awareness, ensuring space is understood not as a distant concept but as a driver of daily life, innovation and national development.
In many countries, space remains abstract. Yet satellite technologies already power critical services—including agriculture, climate monitoring, logistics, navigation and broadband connectivity. Without public understanding of these benefits, policy momentum slows, investment lags and workforce development struggles to gain traction.
Awareness must move beyond communication to inspire. The Malaysian Space Agency collaborates with Apadilangit and MEASAT to deliver youth space camps and public events during World Space Week, fostering early curiosity and national engagement. The Indian Space Research Organization connects its outreach to long-term priorities through the India Space Week and the Women in Space Leadership Programme, strengthening inclusion and STEM participation.
When awareness is rooted in education, storytelling and strategic engagement, it builds more than understanding—it builds alignment. It activates citizens, equips leaders and energizes industries. Awareness transforms national ambition into shared momentum.
Access: Creating Entry Points To The Space Economy
Expanding access to the space economy means creating strategic pathways for companies, researchers and entrepreneurs to contribute to and benefit from space-based innovation.
The Rwanda Space Agency is building local capacity through satellite data services focused on agriculture and disaster management. Its partnership with ATLAS Space Operations to establish a teleport enhances regional infrastructure and integrates Rwanda into global satellite ground networks.
Australia is strengthening its role in the global space economy through targeted investment in launch capabilities, small satellite development and spaceport infrastructure. The Australian Space Agency supports domestic companies while facilitating international partnerships to position Australia as a competitive launch and innovation hub in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Canadian Space Agency supports downstream applications, such as agriculture, by utilizing satellite data to enhance productivity and resource management through programs like the RADARSAT Constellation Mission.
These examples demonstrate that access is about more than infrastructure—it’s about building inclusive, innovation-driven gateways into the global space ecosystem.
Action: Turning Vision Into Outcomes
Leadership, awareness and access set the stage—but action transforms strategy into measurable outcomes. Nations must move from ambition to execution by investing in talent, funding innovation and accelerating commercialization.
Kenya is fostering a new generation of space professionals through university CubeSat programs and national innovation challenges, integrating students into mission planning and hands-on satellite development.
Singapore’s Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn) collaborates with universities to align space education with national economic priorities, ensuring that workforce development fuels both innovation and competitiveness.
Bahrain has achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of its first domestically built satellite, Al Munther, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Developed entirely by Bahraini engineers, Al Munther is equipped with advanced technological payloads, including a medium-resolution space camera and an AI system capable of real-time image analysis. This achievement underscores Bahrain’s commitment to advancing its capabilities in space science and technology.
These nations understand that building a space economy isn’t about isolated efforts; it’s about empowering people, enabling innovation and connecting ideas to real opportunities. Action makes the future tangible.
From Aspiration To Orbit
The space economy is no longer a distant ambition—it is a strategic opportunity for every nation ready to lead with purpose. Those who invest in leadership, foster public awareness, expand access and take bold action are not just building industries; they are shaping the future of innovation, security and economic growth.
This is not about a race to space but about building the frameworks that enable others to rise. A thriving space ecosystem lifts nations, empowers communities and unlocks new possibilities for generations to come. The path is clear, the potential is vast and the moment is now. The countries that act with vision and resolve won’t just participate in the future of space; they will help define it for the world.
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