Space Economy Grew In 2011, Lean Times Remain

Worldwide space spending grew by more than $31 billion in 2011, but the laggard global economy continues to exert downward pressure on the industry, according to the latest report of the National Space Foundation. Overall, government and commercial space spending reached an estimated $289.77 billion last year, the sixth year the industry posted an increase. The rate of growth was faster than in earlier years, with the bulk of the uptick derived from commercial activity rather than government spending, the organization states in “The Space Report 2012.” ...