Rocket Economics

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The powerful equation of reusable rockets and smaller, more powerful satellites fueled by billions of dollars in capital is revolutionizing the space business. Rocket Economics 4321 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. Fifteen, 120-minute, seminar-style sessions with space industry leaders will employ case studies, readings, and guest lectures 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 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. The course will utilize Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier, a new book co-authored by Harvard Business School Professor Matthew Weinzierl and teaching fellow Brendan Rosseau (Strategy Manager at Blue Origin) as the primary text.