Public engagement in space

New large-scale programmes were funded, even in countries impacted by the economic slowdown, demonstrating the commitment of governments to maintain or develop strategic assets and support domestic industrial capabilities.

In parallel, the growing number of new world-leading space nations illustrates the attractiveness of developing space-based capabilities; the share of BRIC countries in global world space spending increased from 5% in 2004 to 22% in 2014.

The U.S. had a combined civil and defense funding of €26.2 billion for its space programme in 2014, a decrease of 10% from 2013. Following the 2016 federal government funding plan unveiled by U.S. Congress, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will enjoy a larger budget than it has had in at least half a decade. The space agency will receive €14.6 billion, representing a 7% increase over 2015 funding levels.

Russia has had one of the fastest-growing budgets, spending €6.6 billion in 2014 and remaining the country with the highest ratio of space spending to GDP. It has accelerated its investments in the last five years at an average growth of 11% in local currency.

Although China’s official space budget is not disclosed, it was estimated at €3.5 billion in 2014 for both civil and military applications, and it is considered to have posted a 13% CAGR for the past five-year period.

Japan had the fourth largest governmental investment with €2 billion invested in 2014. Japan’s space budget posted a 4% CAGR for the past five-year period, demonstrating a relatively stable increase.

India has been continuously increasing its space investment since 1990, reaching a level of €800 million in 2014. India’s budget posted an 8% CAGR for the last five-year period.

In Europe, the overall government budget for space activities amounted to €8.3 billion in 2014, representing a 9% increase over 2013.

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