Defence spending driving government space budgets

This is one of the findings from Novaspace’s annual Government Space Programs (GSP) report. In it, the space consulting and market intelligence firm reveals that defence spending accounts for most budgets at $73bn (54 per cent).

The US continues to lead global government spending, but its share has declined from over 75 per cent in 2000 to 59 per cent in 2024, reflecting rising investments from China and other nations.

According to Novaspace, the widening gap underscores the growing emphasis on defence-focused space programs, as space emerges as a pivotal domain for achieving strategic autonomy alongside maritime, aerial, and cyber arenas.

With the rising importance of space assets, more nations are establishing dedicated space forces and commands while simultaneously enhancing their operational capabilities to address evolving challenges. In this context, governments are bolstering defence capabilities, with investments in Security, Early Warning, Telecommunications, Navigation, and Earth Observation (EO).