Montreal Space Symposium

Space exploration has cemented its position as the ultimate frontier, attracting not only the interest of an increasing number of governments but also the private sector.

Historic space players have been deeply involved in space exploration missions since the nineteen-sixties. Since these early beginnings, the number of countries involved in space exploration has expanded considerably. Moving forward, space agencies worldwide are evaluating the future of space exploration with a converging interest in the Moon as the next destination for human spaceflight beyond LEO. Meanwhile, international partners discuss the future of the ISS, while robotic missions to the Moon, Mars and other destinations are being planned.

In the last ten years there has been a significant increase in the number of private space exploration activities. Private entities see new economic and commercial opportunities derived from space exploration. This rise of commercial space exploration initiatives is redistributing the cards between the government and industry in defining the agenda for space exploration.

This talk will provide an overview of the prospects of space exploration. This will include a review on the global strategic priorities in space exploration, government investment, involvement of commercial organizations and the role of that public-private partnerships might play moving forward.