session 6

Title

Economics of Procurement in Space Contracting

Description

"The roles and responsibilities of space procurement agencies to support start-up companies " The industrial landscape involved in space and defense has until recently been primarily composed of large system integrators (prime contractors), independent (equipment) suppliers, and SME companies. Linked to the major increase in space and defense activities during recent years and the impact of the commercialization of the space domain many new entrants have arrived in the form of start-up companies. Today’s start-up companies may become SME’s during the next years, as their strengths – innovation, penetration of niche markets, enthusiasm, entrepreneurial drive, and low-cost structures are very important ingredients. However, it is observed that over 80% of the start-up companies fail within a couple of years. The reasons for failure are mainly the overestimation of the market needs, funding of cash problems, composition of the team, strong(er) competitors, inadequate pricing of products. Space procurement agencies can play an important role in helping start-up companies to become successful. Suitable procurement rules, fast procurement cycles, business incubator support centers are to be considered. The E3.6 session at the IAC in Dubai will be fully devoted to the growing role and importance of start-up companies in the industrial landscape of space companies. A keynote address will be given followed by a panel session and dedicated presentations for which the call for abstracts is herewith launched.

IPC members

• Co-Chair: Mr. Eric Morel de Westgaver, ESA - European Space Agency, France;

• Co-Chair: Dr. Henry Hertzfeld, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University, United States;

• Rapporteur: Mr. Pieter Van Beekhuizen, Stichting Space Professionals Foundation (SSPF), The Netherlands;

• Rapporteur: Ms. Karina Miranda Sanchez, ESA, The Netherlands;