COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 8, 2015) – This week, the Space Foundation released its 2015 edition of The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity, with data on the growth of the global space economy, invaluable information for anyone planning investments in space-related businesses.

For example, nearly half of the satellites launched in 2014 were nanosatellites with a mass of 10 kilograms (22 pounds) or less. According to The Space Report 2015, smaller, cheaper, less complex satellites are becoming increasingly accessible, making it easier for startups to potentially compete with established players without having to raise high amounts of capital first.

Also, there are the recently announced plans from Elon Musk (with support from Google) to launch 4,000 internet satellites, and from OneWeb (with support from multiple space companies, old and new, as well as several non-space companies) to launch 600 internet satellites. There are currently 1,200-1,300 active satellites in orbit now, so this means roughly quadrupling the number of active satellites in orbit over the next few years, thanks to those two ventures alone.

This fall, the Space Foundation will provide more of this insightful global space industry data at its new Space Technology & Investment Forum. This by-invitation conference will bring together top venture capitalists and angel investors with space industry experts who can explain the technical, legal and business issues critical to market analysis and risk assessment.

The Space Foundation’s Space Technology & Investment Forum will be held in the heart of the San Francisco financial district Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, and will include in-depth discussions and content rich briefings about current trends and opportunities, networking activities, private meetings and the chance to hear about ground-breaking innovations.

The featured speaker for the Sept. 30 luncheon will be Stephen T. “Steve” Jurvetson, Partner, Draper Fisher Jurvetson. Other early confirmed speakers include:

  • Chad Anderson, Managing Director, Space Angels Network
  • Laetitia Garriott de Cayeux, Co-Founder, President, and COO, Escape Dynamics Inc.
  • Prof. Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz, Professor Emerita, Director Emerita, Journal of Space Law Editor-in-Chief Emerita, Visiting Professor, Beijing Institute of Technology School of Law
  • Jeff Greason, CTO and Chairman of the Board, XCOR Aerospace
  • Chris Lewicki, President and Chief Engineer, Planetary Resources
  • Sunil Nagaraj, Vice President, Bessemer Venture Partners
  • Scott Nolan, Partner, Founders Fund
  • Mark Quinn, Senior Vice President & Americas Practice Leader, Willis Inspace
  • Dr. Daniel J. Rasky, Director and Co-Founder, Moffett Field, Calif., Space Portal at the NASA Research Park

Space is limited for the Space Technology & Investment Forum. Request an invitation and see the complete speaker list at www.SpaceTechForum.com. Invitations are non-transferable. 

About the Space Foundation
Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is the foremost advocate for all sectors of space, and is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs and major industry events, including the annual Space Symposium, in support of its mission “to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity.” Space Foundation World Headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA, has a public Discovery Center, including El Pomar Space Gallery, Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere® and the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center. The Space Foundation has a field office in Houston and conducts government affairs from its Washington, D.C., office. It annually publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity, and through its Space CertificationTM and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, recognizes space-based innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Visit www.SpaceFoundation.org, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, Flickr and YouTube, and read our e-newsletter Space Watch.