Space Economy: Harvard Economists Reveal The Profitable Investments

Matthew Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau, authors of Space to Grow, join Thinking on Paper to explain how the commercial space economy is developing and what governments, companies and investors are trying to build beyond Earth.The space economy already supports communications, navigation, Earth observation and national security. Its next phase could include commercial space stations, lunar infrastructure, microgravity manufacturing, space-based data centres and the extraction of resources from the Moon.In this episode, we discuss:How the commercial space economy worksThe role of NASA in creating private space marketsHow the Artemis programme could support a lunar economyWhy governments fund technologies before commercial demand existsThe business case for commercial space stationsHow Starlink and GPS demonstrate the economic value of space infrastructureWhether space-based data centres could become commercially viableHow investors evaluate launch, satellite and lunar businessesThe growth of China’s space programmeWhy space has become central to national securityWho should own and use resources found on the MoonWhether the Outer Space Treaty is suitable for a commercial space economyHow international competition is shaping the new space raceMatthew and Brendan explain how public institutions and private companies divide risk, finance infrastructure and create markets in environments where costs are high and the rules remain unsettled.The conversation also examines how space activity should be governed as commercial and national interests expand. Mark and Jeremy attempt to rewrite the Outer Space Treaty and consider what a modern framework would need to say about property, resources, security and responsibility.This episode is about the economics and politics of commercial space, and whether today’s institutions can manage the industries now emerging in orbit and on the Moon.Please enjoy the show.--Thinking on Paper is a technology podcast about AI, Space, quantum computing, science, and the systems shaping the future. Connect with us.🏠 Buy us a beer on Substack🎧 Watch us compete with Lex Fridman on YouTube 🎧 Remember Steve Jobs and listen on APPLE 📺 Watch the clips and shorts on InstagramWatch a random video from Rick Beato. Because we love him.--Chapters(00:00) Government and Markets in Space(03:35) Microgravity (07:43) Economic Incentives (12:14) Political Cycles in Space Policy(17:09) International Collaboration (18:45) National Security in Space(21:36) Space Exploration(24:27) The Importance Of GPS(28:49) Space Investment(30:37) Space-Based Data Centers(33:40) Space Resources(38:26) Governance in Space(40:55) A New Space Treaty