Space Commercialization Flashcards
Commercial Space Industry
The sector of private companies and organizations involved in developing and operating space systems for profit.
Space Tourism
The practice of sending private individuals into space for recreational, leisure, or adventure purposes.
Launch Service Providers
Companies that offer launch capabilities for payloads, including satellites and spacecraft, to orbit.
Satellite Communications
The use of satellites to transmit data, voice, and video signals across the globe for commercial purposes.
Earth Observation
The collection of data about Earth’s physical, chemical, and biological systems using satellites for applications like agriculture, disaster management, and climate monitoring.
Space Mining
The extraction of valuable materials, such as water, metals, and minerals, from asteroids or other celestial bodies.
NewSpace
A movement characterized by entrepreneurial companies seeking to lower costs and increase access to space through innovation.
Microgravity Research
Scientific experiments conducted in the near-weightless environment of space to study phenomena not observable on Earth.
Small Satellite Revolution
The trend of using small, cost-effective satellites (e.g., CubeSats) for diverse commercial applications.
Spaceports
Facilities designed to support the launch and landing of spacecraft for commercial and government missions.
Satellite Constellations
Groups of satellites working together to provide global services, such as high-speed internet and navigation.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
Collaborative agreements between governments and private companies to achieve mutual goals in space development.
Dual-Use Technologies
Space technologies that serve both military and commercial purposes, such as GPS and imaging systems.
In-Orbit Servicing
Commercial services to repair, refuel, or upgrade satellites while they remain in orbit.
Space Manufacturing
The production of goods in space, leveraging microgravity to create materials and products not possible on Earth.
Commercial Crew Program
NASA’s initiative to partner with private companies for crewed missions to the International Space Station.
Space-as-a-Service
A business model where companies provide space capabilities, such as satellite data or launch services, on-demand.
Investment in Space Startups
The allocation of capital by venture capitalists and private equity firms to emerging space companies.
Downstream Applications
Commercial products and services derived from space-based data, such as weather forecasting and geolocation services.
Regulatory Frameworks
Policies and rules established by governments to oversee commercial space activities.
Licensing for Space Activities
The requirement for private companies to obtain legal permission to conduct activities like satellite launches and operations.
Export Control Laws
Regulations that govern the international transfer of space technologies to protect national security and economic interests.
Outer Space Treaty
A foundational international agreement that provides guidelines for space commercialization and ensures space is used for peaceful purposes.
Space Debris Mitigation
Efforts by commercial companies to reduce the creation of debris during satellite deployment and operations.
