Exploring the space economy
In the words of Jean-Luc Picard, ‘things are only impossible until they are not’
Only five years ago talk of space economies was viewed by many as the stuff of science fiction. Those like me with extraterrestrial interests – and moulded in part by Star Trek’s cast boldly exploring the cosmos during our youth – have occasionally been chastised as dreamers. Yet, the realms of possibility are changing. Chemists have big roles to play as humankind blazes new trails – both on Earth and other worlds.
The UK space economy has more than trebled in size since 2000, supporting approximately 42,000 jobs. Headline initiatives such as the recently announced horizontal and vertical launch space ports for the UK, as well as Space Park Leicester, demonstrate heavy investment in the scientific, manufacturing and technological base linked with the rapidly growing global space economy. Alone, the space port projects will create thousands of new jobs, driving all manner of exciting new innovations with a range of efficiency-improving applications on Earth. Yet more new employment opportunities shall arise from partnerships with government space agencies and private sector bodies, and connected with a lunar economy when the Lunar Gateway space outpost is established following its launch in 2024. The international space market is estimated to be worth £400 billion by 2030 and the UK is building toward a 10% share of this, which would account for upwards of 100,000 new jobs.
The planetary science research sector that employs a range of physical scientists, and includes the UK’s specialist Cosmochemical Analytical Network, is also growing. A wave of excitement swept the globe when the Perseverance Rover touched down on Mars on 18 February to collect samples; thrills to be renewed when the rocks travel to Earth for analysis in 2031. Other samples retrieved from the moon (by the Chang’e-5 mission) and asteroids (by Hyabusa2) landed on Earth in late 2020, and more are due in 2023 (OSIRIS-REx). Plus, despite the lockdown the people and skies of the UK lit up on 28 February when the first recovered meteorite for 30 years fell near Winchcombe. These shards of rock and soils from space, while providing critical insights into our solar system’s history, will guide us in the practical needs of off-Earth settlements and further space exploration.