Measuring the Space Economy: Space in International Classifications and Measurement Obstacles

Abstract

Space economy has scope from companies that create, launch and run space assets like satellites, to other layer of companies that use signals and data supplied by these space assets to develop value-added applications. Space economy also includes extended groups of companies that are not included in the space industry but earn income from indirect activities. The definition of the space economy is very broad; many of the obstacles or challenges lie in its measurement, because the space economy also takes into account and disclose the impacts of the activity of space. The formulation of the problem in this research is how to measure the space economy in the international classification along with the obstacles faced in the measurement. Method used to answer the problem formulation is descriptive method. Results show the identification of obstacles or challenges in measuring space activity in international classification. Although there have been official domestic space data according to the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) but this is considered less detailed. There is also US trade statistics data where this data is used more frequently than ISIC data, but countries still have to adapt it to the character of their respective national space sector activities.