Defence spending has driven government space budgets to historic highs.
Government investments in space programmes reached approximately $135bn in 2024, marking a 10% increase compared to the previous year, according to the 24th edition of Novaspaces annual Government Space Programmes (GSP) report. Defence spending accounted for the majority, with $73bn (54%) of the total, highlighting the growing significance of space as a contested and strategic domain.
The report underscores the increasing number of nations boosting their investments in space initiatives. While the United States continues to lead global government space spending, its share has decreased from over 75% in 2000 to 59% in 2024. This decline reflects rising contributions from other nations, particularly China, which is steadily advancing its space capabilities.
The report also highlights a shift toward defence-focused programmes, emphasising space as a critical area for achieving strategic autonomy alongside maritime, aerial and cyber domains. With space assets becoming essential for security and sovereignty, more countries are establishing dedicated space forces and commands while enhancing capabilities in areas such as security, early warning systems, telecommunications, navigation and Earth observation.
On the civil side, human spaceflight remains the largest category of global government space investment. Traditionally dominated by leading spacefaring nations and organizations, human spaceflight and scientific exploration programs are now attracting attention from a broader range of countries. Many are recognizing the strategic and economic benefits of participating in space exploration.
The surge in government space budgets reflects the strategic importance of space, said Charlotte Croison, Manager at Novaspace. Governments worldwide are not only expanding their capabilities to secure their assets in orbit but are leveraging space to enhance their geopolitical standing and foster economic growth.
Despite the growth in 2024, the report anticipates a deceleration in public space expenditures over the coming years. Novaspace projects government space budgets to stabilixe, growing at a modest annual rate of about 1% through the end of the decade. Economic pressures and competing policy priorities are expected to influence this trend.
To optimise costs and capabilities, governments are increasingly adopting a Buy Before Build strategy, focusing on procuring services from commercial vendors rather than developing custom solutions. This collaborative approach with the private sector aims to balance fiscal constraints with the need for cutting-edge advancements in space technologies.