Overview shown improvement over the past several decades in all age groups tested, most significantly at younger ages. At the university level, the number of STEM bachelor’s and doctoral degrees awarded by U.S. institutions has increased since 2000, but the rate of growth in several other countries has been significantly higher. China, in particular, has both the fastest growth rate and the highest absolute number of STEM bachelor’s degrees. As the importance of STEM becomes ever more significant, it is likely that countries will continue to make major investments in technical education and training.
5.0 | Perspective
Across the globe, governments continued to publish documents relating to space policies, strategies, and plans. Policy documents released in 2012 shared a number of common themes, including international cooperation, coordination between civil and military space activities, and the identification of a unifying national space strategy. For instance, the 2012 French Space Strategy emphasizes development of dual-use space programs and applications to serve both defense and civil users. In Japan, recent legislation has removed previous limitations on defense-related space efforts, opening the door to a stronger defense role in JAXA programs.
Avanti’s HYLAS 2 satellite provides data and video services to Northern and Southern Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The spacecraft is also equipped with a steerable spot beam, operating in the Ka-band, which can provide coverage anywhere on Earth visible to the satellite. Credit: Orbital Sciences
Governments are increasingly recognizing the utility of space as a tool for international trade and development. Advanced spacefaring countries reap political and economic benefits from their existing space capabilities through partnerships with emerging nations that are seeking societal and development benefits. These partnerships can involve any combination of financial assistance, infrastructure development, and training programs. Much of the attention is focused on Africa, where demand for fixed satellite services is forecast to grow at 11% or greater each year from 2013 through 2017.
Economic conditions in some countries with developed space programs have led to budget restrictions, making it more challenging to develop and maintain space infrastructure. Space leaders are adopting different methods to overcome this challenge, such as improving mission cost management, engaging in more international partnerships, examining options for alternative platforms and flight formations, and making use of commercial markets and practices. Some of these plans rely on established approaches such as sharing satellite-based meteorological data among weather agencies, while others are yet to be proven, such as using commercial suborbital spacecraft to carry passengers and cargo into space for brief test flights. In several countries, spaceports are being developed to support suborbital flights and new orbital launch vehicles. Multiple U.S. states have proposed or are building spaceport facilities in anticipation of market growth in the commercial spaceflight sector. Several states have also passed legislation to address liability concerns that could potentially affect spacecraft operators and suppliers. These actions are being undertaken with the expectation that regions with active spaceports will experience on a local level the benefits that society as a whole has received from investments in space: a high-tech industry that attracts innovators in other fields, new jobs with above-average salaries, and an inspirational effect that encourages children to pursue careers in STEM so that they are open to a wide range of future possibilities.
8
The Space Report 2013