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Commercialization and technologization of space research

Published: November 2025

The commercialization of space exploration, driven by companies like SpaceX and Boeing, is fundamentally changing the space industry. Innovations such as autonomous robots, advanced spacesuits, and VR applications are expanding the possibilities of future missions. Countries worldwide are intensifying their research, often in cooperation. But topics such as interplanetary sustainability with the search for water, organic materials, and atmospheres on other planets and moons, the growing interest in the sustainable use of extraterrestrial resources and the search for life, or the expansion and use of space infrastructure, such as the expansion of communication networks, launch platforms, and the revival of old technologies, also play an important role in the future space strategy.

Guiding questions

  • How can a balanced relationship between government and private space exploration be achieved?
  • What legal frameworks are required for the commercial use of space?
  • How can the benefits of space exploration be distributed fairly and made usable for all of humanity?
  • What role do international cooperations play in an increasingly commercialized space industry?
  • How can we ensure that the exploration and use of space is designed to be sustainable and environmentally friendly?

Challenges

The growing activity in Earth orbit leads to problems such as space debris, which requires sustainable solutions. The commercialization of space raises questions about the fair distribution of resources and access to space. At the same time, the balance between international cooperation and competition must be re-calibrated. Challenges remain the development of reliable systems for long-duration missions and the exploitation of extraterrestrial resources. Moreover, with the increase in commercial space activities, the demands on safety and regulations are rising.

Concrete examples

  • Reusable Falcon rockets from SpaceX, which drastically reduce the costs of space missions
  • Autonomous lunar robots (e.g., the DFKI project CoRob-X)
  • VR astronaut training and psychological support during long missions
  • New spacesuit designs that improve mobility and safety
  • Space-based communication networks such as Starlink

Foresight Report

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Reference

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Reference

Michel Reichardt

Michel Reichardt Project Manager Strategic Foresight

Christoph Grollman

Christoph Grollman Project Manager Strategic Foresight

Dr. Sophia Gänßle

Dr. Sophia Gänßle Project Manager Data Science Strategic Foresight

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