The Space Economy: Capitalize on the Greatest Business Opportunity of Our Lifetime

by Chad Anderson

Climb aboard an astronomical business opportunity before it takes off.

The new Space Age has begun, but there’s still time for you to get in early. In The Space Economy: Capitalize on the Greatest Business Opportunity of Our Lifetime, venture capitalist and Space Capital founder Chad Anderson helps investors, entrepreneurs, and aspiring professionals understand the impact of space-based technologies on enterprise, government, and consumer markets today and for decades to come. Whether you’re seeking entrepreneurial ideas worth exploring, a career worth pursuing, or investments worth making, The Space Economy represents an opportunity larger than the Internet in 1995. From global positioning, geospatial intelligence, and satellite communications to commercial human spaceflight and interplanetary transportation, this book explains why and how you can get in on the ground floor of the greatest opportunity of our lifetime.

Genres: Space, Business, Audiobook, Technology, Science, Nonfiction

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 11, 2023

Reviews

[Shannon Callahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is well-informed, but I don’t feel the pull. Many of the anecdotes inside the book were great insights. However, I do feel the lack of number data on investment or even concepts of MVP stage. If the author wants me to get into the space economy, which I do, then there needs to be more guidance. This felt like a big light touch…

[Jimmy La Rue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading this and I loved it...

Anderson gives readers an engaging and comprehensive overview of the space industry. The book is well-structured and easy to follow, providing valuable insights into the history, current landscape, and prospects of this RAPIDLY evolving sector.

The author gives a look at the development of the space industry, and explores emerging markets like space stations, lunar bases, logistics and the industrial apps. He emphasizes the crucial role of launch and satellite tech (GPS, GEOINT, SpaceCom) in shaping today's space economy.

He covers government's role, space startups, getting into the industry, and advice on companies hiring employees. Then a look at the bigger picture future of space, with more coverage of emerging industries, the role of government, maintaining peace in space and how this work can help address climate change (or offer us options for living off-Earth).

If you are interested in understanding the potential and challenges on this industry, this book is an informative and enjoyable read. I would also recommend looking over Anderson's Space Capital website for more great info-- https://www.spacecapital.com

[Finn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seriously disappointed, I don't think anyone even bothered to reread for errors before printing, very few facts and figures, poor technical understandings that felt like they were rattled off the dome rather than researched, even at a surface level. Additionally the main focus (satellites) seems very nearsighted in my opinion, not what the grand title would lead you to believe (unsurprised though considering this guy runs a VC firm that I imagine is heavily invested in them)
In general I think this book provides very low value for anyone even remotely informed on the space industry already, and I would caution away for those uninformed because it could lead to misconceptions about both technical understanding and the future of the industry.

[yashas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book to learn about the latest developments (2023) about space industry, a bit of space history and economy. I found a lot of interesting companies, foundations, people who are working on the space industry in this book. It's not an engineering book, It does not cover any concepts of propulsion, satellites or aerospace. It does cover a bit about mangement but nothing you can get from an mba book. Lastly, I found the book to be sort of promotional of space capital. Read this book if you want an intro to space industry, it's not a good book if you are already in the industry or if you are interested in space engineering.

[Sicostorius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una magnífica elección para adentrarse en los aspectos más comerciales de la industria aeroespacial.

Lo mejor
- El enfoque de negocio
- Abarca multitud de aspectos: claves para conocer el sector, cómo labrarse una carrera en el mismo, cómo invertir...
- Muy reciente, está al día de los últimos avances

Lo menos bueno
- Apenas hay contenido técnico
- Puede quedarse obsoleto en pocos años

Recomendable?
- Sí, si quieres un primer acercamiento al sector desde un punto de vista de negocio
- No, si ya conoces el sector o buscas información más técnica

[Oliver Bihuniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Space Economy provides interesting insight on the wealth of opportunity for entrepreneurs to capitalize on the rapid development of the space industry.

As satellite technologies become more commonplace and sophisticated, it is important to differentiate between the opportunities in GPS, Geospatial Intelligence and Satellite Communication, which Anderson makes easy to understand. Additionally, it is made clear how business participate by offering solutions with infrastructure, distribution, or applications of satellite technology and how they are creating value for humans down on Earth. Through his investment portfolio at Space Capital, Anderson provides examples of real businesses within each group giving context to their critical, growing role within the Space Economy. He also references more mature and well known businesses, such as Uber, who have capitalized on creating a highly valuable application for GPS technology.

As an Aerospace M&A professional, it was helpful from the context of improving my understanding of the industry despite being more involved in buyout / later stage investments and the industry being more nascent with the vast majority of investment dollars in venture / early stage.

Would recommend for anyone in the investment industry who knows “Space” as a hot term right now but wants to gain a better understanding and learn where the opportunities lie.

[Elizabeth Langlois · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend gifted me this book when I started working in the aerospace industry public affairs earlier this year. Fantastic insights on the reality of the industry and its importance for the future. Very informative to have a business approach rather than a ‘simple’ historical approach. Haven’t found any other book like it (so far?).

[Zach Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this piece of whitepaper disguised as a novel, Anderson pleads the reader to believe that space truly is the final frontier, and the lack of criticism of the concepts therein shows just how desperate of a plea it is.

[Colin Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty disappointing. I was hoping to learn more about the civil space industry, and I did a little, but this was more of just an ad for some companies and especially the company that commissioned this book. Not a waste of time given its short length but not particularly noteworthy.

[Matt Mullin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for anyone interested in the economics of space, satellite infrastructure, historical space exploration or general technological advances!

[Diccon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid read.
Would have given it another star if the author was able to tone down his ego and inflated opinion of his greatness.

[Kean Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick and easy read, some interesting insights

[Erik]

could use a second edition in 3-5 years. some nice aphorisms in this

[Cliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

very educational book about space, satellites and travel between celestial bodies. excellent book on investments in space technology

[Paula-Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read "The Space Economy: Capitalize on the Greatest Business Opportunity of Our Lifetime" and it is a must read for anyone who is curious about the opportunities of the space economy. One of the things that I appreciated most about this book is that it is written in a very accessible and engaging manner. Even if you don't have a background in the space industry, you will find this book easy to understand and extremely informative. Overall, I highly recommend "The Space Economy: Capitalize on the Greatest Business Opportunity of Our Lifetime" to anyone who is interested in exploring the space industry and its various opportunities.

[Deimos · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're intrigued by the burgeoning space industry and its myriad opportunities, "The Space Economy: Capitalize on the Greatest Business Opportunity of Our Lifetime" is an essential read. The author does a fantastic job of breaking down complex topics in a way that's both engaging and easy to grasp. Even those without a background in the space sector will find the book remarkably informative and straightforward. Overall, diving into this book is a highly recommended way to better understand the lucrative prospects the space economy holds.

[Nathaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

- nothing overly groundbreaking coming from space industry
- breaks down space into infrastructure (rockets, satellite manufacturing), something, and then the downstream applications (Uber, Doordash, Agriculture data services, etc)
- real thesis is that space will grow enormously (like the internet)
- also really bullish on Starship and says to consider what sort of paradigm shift it will bring about and what it can unlock