How much is space infrastructure worth?

We take for granted many of the conveniences made possible by space technology. Agriculture, banking, navigation, environmental monitoring, weather, emergency services. The list goes on and on. The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy has just published a report called The Value of Space to quantify these benefits. Without realizing it, satellite services have become an integral part of our lives. This paper sheds a light on just how much Earth relies on space. This dependence will only increase as humanity settles the solar system.

Use of satellite services for agricultural applications. Credit: The Aerospace Corporation