Measuring the socio economic benefits of space science and technology investments: The Case for South Africa

Paper number

IAC-19,E3,3,8,x55100

Author

Ms. Busisiwe Nkonki, South Africa, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Coauthor

Ms. Fikiswa Majola, South Africa, South African Government

Coauthor

Ms. Marie Botha, South Africa, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Year

2019

Abstract

Government investments play a major role in space science and technology. According to the Space Foundation Report the global space economy in 2018 amount to $383.5 billion worldwide. There is a growing demand and realisation of how important space technologies, especially services related to the downstream applications, are to addressing the needs of developing countries for development and improved living standards. Space technologies go beyond solving national problems, but are also a sustainable intervention to achieving global goals such as the Horizon2020, African Union Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
The results of this paper should outline the various methodologies used to measure the complex benefits related to space science and technology investment by the South African government, additionally the paper should also outline the correlation between the investments and project outcomes.
The National Oceans and Coastal Information Management System (OCIMS) and the ZACUBE program were used as case studies to further assess the impact of investment cash flow on the success of space (upstream and downstream) projects. The aerospace industry is a volatile industry that has many uncertainties, related to cash flow of the production cycle of space systems and value add services, which makes investors reluctant to invest in such projects. The case studies outline should show what benefits will come out of these two investments and this should be shown using economic modelling.  Thus long-term investments in space technology have socioeconomic benefits that are both monetary and non-monetary. The findings further show how various economic models can be applied to try and quantify the benefits related to space technologies.

Abstract document

IAC-19,E3,3,8,x55100.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-19,E3,3,8,x55100.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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