STIA 4321: Rocket Economics

A new generation of reusable rockets and smaller more powerful satellites are revolutionizing the space business.

Rocket Economics will examine the fundamentals of the rapidly expanding space economy driven by applications for commercial, civil, and national security customers around the globe. The goal is to educate future business, government, and science leaders on next generation markets for space-based services.

The course will employ case studies, readings, and guest lectures by space industry leaders to inform the dialectic method as we explore the business of space. Students are not presumed to have a technical background. The course will cover the basic principles of satellite communications, navigation, earth observation, launch, ground systems, and orbital mechanics.

The material will also require rigorous business and economic analysis. Students can expect lively debates on the future of space commerce and geopolitical competition for radio spectrum, orbits, and natural resources throughout our solar system.