The Role of Space Entrepreneurship in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

This study examines the intersection between space entrepreneurship and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on how emerging private-sector initiatives within the space industry contribute to broader sustainable development outcomes. It critically analyses the extent to which technological, institutional, and market-driven developments in the launch and satellite sectors enable or constrain progress toward SDG targets.
The research develops a conceptual framework designed to serve as a practical and analytical blueprint for emerging space ecosystems. The framework identifies key enabling and inhibiting factors shaping the evolution of space entrepreneurship, while aligning industry practices with sustainability-oriented objectives across technological, socioeconomic, and institutional dimensions.
The study adopts a multi-level analytical structure, encompassing global, European, and Western Balkan contexts. The global level provides insight into established industry models, best practices, and dominant actors within the space economy. The European level offers a relevant institutional and regulatory environment, within which the Western Balkan space ecosystem is developing. The Western Balkans are examined as a primary focus due to their emerging position, characterized by untapped potential, structural constraints, and increasing relevance within the broader European innovation landscape.
The research employs a primarily qualitative approach supported by secondary quantitative data, combining written semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders across the space sector with evidence derived from academic literature, policy documents, and industry reports. These data sources enable the identification of patterns related to access to space infrastructure, innovation capacity, gender inclusion, and ecosystem development. Case-based insights further contribute to contextual depth and analytical robustness.
The findings contribute both theoretically and practically by providing a structured understanding of how space entrepreneurship can support sustainable development, particularly in underrepresented and emerging regions. The study offers actionable insights for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and institutional actors seeking to leverage space technologies for inclusive and sustainable growth, while also informing the development of scalable models for participation in the global space economy.
Keywords: SDG, Space, Launch, Rocket, Satellite, Europe, Balkans