Measuring Space Manufacturing Plant Utilization and Own-Account Production

Space manufacturing plays a central role in the U.S. space economy, accounting for over a quarter of its GDP. This paper from the Bureau of Economic Analysis introduces two important tools for better measuring space-sector activity: a new Space Economy Manufacturing Plant Utilization Index (SEMPI) and a framework for accounting for “own-account” production of satellites and space vehicles by private firms. These innovations aim to close key data gaps, particularly where companies build and launch equipment for their own use. Better metrics will help policymakers and economists more accurately track the growth, efficiency, and investment impact of the expanding space industrial base.