xTech Futures: SpaceTech
A burgeoning space economy is creating new business opportunities. We’ll help you navigate from where you are today to where you want to go.
Here
Here
Reducing barriers to
entry and exploration
Upward bound
Novel launch vehicles open new avenues to space
Reusable rockets and launch innovations have led to a dramatic reduction in the cost of getting to space, sparking interest among businesses in how they can get involved.
Gateways to the galaxy
Spaceport development is critical for meeting launch demand
Limited launch capacity is currently a bottleneck in the industry, presenting governments and private companies with an opportunity to fill the void via new technologies or launch sites.
Near
Capturing higher-value business
cases in Earth’s orbits
A sky full of stars
Satellites are powering a smarter, more connected Earth
A dramatic rise in the number of satellites launched in recent years has allowed more organizations to integrate geospatial data and improved connectivity into their core operations.
Defying gravity
Space stations provide a sandbox for experimentation
Space stations allow businesses to leverage the unique properties of space (e.g., microgravity) to conduct experiments and create products that they couldn’t otherwise on Earth.
Cosmic cleanup
Groundbreaking solutions can create a sustainable ecosystem
Low-Earth orbit is filled with space debris, but savvy organizations are creating businesses around tracking objects in orbit and even removing defunct space junk.
Offworld production
A self-sufficient space economy is underway
The need to transport fuel, equipment, and materials has limited the scope of missions, but in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing help extend the life and quality of assets in orbit.
Destination: Space
Space tourism creates adjacent industry opportunities
Several companies are looking to turn an idea to a reality by establishing an ecosystem that will make travel to the edge of space more accessible, capturing profits along the way.
There
Exploring new frontiers for
health, wealth, and wisdom
The human problem
How do we solve for space’s weakest link?
The human body wasn’t made for space travel, but to create a sustained human presence on the Moon, Mars, and beyond, we’ll need to solve for complex physiological and psychological hurdles.
Lunar redux
Returning to the moon is a quantum leap for humankind
Space agencies are planning ambitious missions to the Moon that involve exploration and eventually settlement. Technical innovations and new discoveries are anticipated to emerge.
A new gold rush
A universe of valuable resources is ripe for extraction
Harnessing the natural resources of space, from water ice on the Moon to rare-earth elements on asteroids, will create new opportunities both in space and on Earth.
The Red Planet
Human exploration of Mars is on the horizon
A trip to Mars would be difficult, but space agencies and private companies alike are laying the groundwork for human trips to the Red Planet—and even potential settlements.
Everywhere
Spotting opportunities
(and obstacles) in the expanse
Sustainability
Embracing eco-friendly space initiatives
Rocket launches and an increasing number of objects in orbit can bring a host of environmental concerns, but efforts are underway to help mitigate these effects and grow a greener space economy.
Cyber and defense
Preventing and protecting against threats in space
Space infrastructure is at risk from threats ranging from hackers to anti-satellite weaponry. Nations and organizations are responding with protective measures.
Media, entertainment, and marketing
Offering a new playground for brands and broadcasting
Space exploration gives brands an opportunity to associate themselves with the future, while space assets can give media companies new ways to gather information and tell stories.
Regulation
Creating governance frameworks for space activity
Amid risks of conflict and competition as more nations enter space, regulations may provide guardrails necessary for avoiding confrontation and making space safe and secure.
Ethics
Ensuring space exploration benefits all
As activity in space ramps up, we potentially risk replicating past mistakes made on Earth. Leaders are considering the ethical impact of their work so they can design a space economy that benefits all.
Discover your role in space
We are at the dawn of a new era of space exploration, one rife with opportunities across industries. Download the report today and discover how your organization can participate in—and potentially profit from—the emerging space economy.
Find your place in space
No matter what industry you’re a part of, there’s a place for you in the second space age. Watch our video series below for some out-of-this-world examples.
Trailer
Satellites
Space Debris
Manufacturing
Resource Extraction
Sustained Presence
Two Tales of the Moon
Follow the fictional story of astronaut Amy Suzuki and student Caleb Walker as they work together on a Lunar water extraction mission and explore the human impacts of the new space economy.
Trend Lines
With Trend Lines, we continuously compile stories into a collage that outlines the shapes and shadows of tomorrow. We've built a wide-angle lens that helps us look across all sectors and societies, to glimpse how pioneering leaders are building distinct facets of the future, today.
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The Novel and Exponential Technologies (NExT) team is a team of futurists and researchers who sense—and make sense of—emerging technologies that have the potential for widespread business impact. With our pragmatic approach to futurism, we help organizations shape strategic business agendas and set an intentional course toward tomorrow.
Mike Bechtel
Chief futurist and executive editor
Deloitte Consulting LLP
Raquel Buscaino
Project lead
Deloitte Consulting LLP
Kelly Raskovich
NExT COO
Deloitte Consulting LLP
Lucas Erb
Research lead
Deloitte Consulting LLP
Stefanie Heng
Project advisor
Deloitte Consulting LLP
Caroline Brown
Creative lead
Deloitte Consulting LLP
Adrian Espinoza
Visual design lead
Deloitte Consulting LLP