Proceedings for the Second Symposium on Space Economy, Space Law and Space Sciences
“New Space – Space 4.0” Competition for Turkey
Şahabeddin KutluOn July 17th, 1975, docking of Apollo and Soyuz spacecrafts in space, started a new era in the space race between the USSR and the USA. In the last 40 years, dozens of other countries have been involved in the use of space for navigation, communication and observation purposes. As we approach 2030, it seems that the fuse of a new space race, in which the low earth orbit is the focal point, has been ignited.
The race which is called as “New Space” by some researchers who closely follow the industry, has become the entrepreneurs’ and global companies’ industry which is supported by venture capital seeking a return, and tries to profit from innovative products or services developed in or for space and primarily targets commercial customers. (New Space Global, 2021).
The race which is also called “Space 4.0” by some other researchers (Wörner, 2016); as a result of years of development activities, it has created a new space infrastructure that provides access to space on an unprecedented scale, along with reusable launch vehicles that significantly reduce launch costs. With this infrastructure, it seems certain that the existing markets for satellite-based communication, navigation and observation services will increase and allow new businesses and industries to expand. For this reason, “Alternative Space”, “Entrepreneur Space” and other names have been used to describe space development approaches in this new era (Hobby Space, 2021). All individuals, businesses and organizations who are working to open the space frontier to human habitation through economic development have also become new players in this new race.
“New Space” or “Space 4.0” or whatever we call it, in this new race that started in the world, new opportunities and possibilities for communication, navigation and ground observation applications, are starting to come to the fore and increasing day by day which led by private companies and venture capital, supported by new technological opportunities.
