Generally Specialized
Generally Specialized
3/26/2025, 3:20:28 AM

Where is the growth forecasted? It Always about Moving Stuff The integration of space-based technologies into global supply chains and logistics is a cornerstone of the expanding space economy. Reality is that Supply Chain and Logistic thrive in environments were microefficiency improvements colmunate into much larger savings, and space is the land (or lack thereof) of opportunity when it comes to data collection. Satellite-enabled connectivity, mobility, and Earth observation data are transforming logistics by optimizing routes, enhancing real-time tracking, and mitigating disruptions. For example, satellites provide critical GPS navigation for shipping and trucking, which support a total of $14T in annual global trade, while IoT-enabled sensors leverage space-based connectivity to monitor perishable goods, reducing spoilage costs by up to 20%. Further development in the aforementioned technology is expected to be vital for maritime logistics, where climate-driven port disruptions threaten $630B in annual losses (this won't be the first time you see me mention climate change in this article), prompting investments in predictive analytics powered by satellite data. Private-sector initiatives like Amazon’s Project Kuiper aim to bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions, potentially boosting supply chain resilience and adding $150B annually to global GDP by 2030 through reduced delays. However, challenges like orbital congestion and regulatory fragmentation persist, driving $500M in annual investments by 2025 to secure space infrastructure critical to logistics. As the space economy grows, its synergy with terrestrial supply chains will redefine efficiency, sustainability, and scalability in global trade. Please Sir, I Want Some More Addressing Food and Beverage Last Mile Delivery and Food Scarcity are expected to provide a growth of 100 billion to 334 billion from the years of 2023 to 2035, respectively. Positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) improvements are where the SMEs see the most meat on the bone in a whopping $234B in market value over the decade. Last-mile delivery in the food and beverage industry, the final step in the supply chain where products reach consumers, has been transformed by e-commerce, technology, and sustainability initiatives. The global last-mile delivery market is projected to grow from $40.1 billion in 2021 to over $70 billion by 2027, driven by the rise of platforms like Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and meal kit services such as HelloFresh, which have capitalized on consumer demand for fast, convenient delivery. These platforms leverage route optimization software, autonomous vehicles, and IoT-enabled smart packaging to ensure quality and efficiency, with some companies achieving delivery times of under 30 minutes in urban areas. Additionally, the adoption of electric vehicles, bicycle couriers, and reusable packaging is reducing environmental impact, with companies like FedEx and UPS investing billions in electrifying their fleets. Real-time tracking and personalized recommendations further enhance customer experience, with 75% of consumers now expecting same-day delivery options. However, challenges such as high costs—last-mile delivery can account for up to 53% of total shipping costs—perishability, urban congestion, and regulatory compliance persist. Tracking weather opportunities and observing soil conditions from a bird's eye view should provide the agricultural sector with the ability to maximize their output while simultaneously minimizing total resources spent per unit weight of crop. However, the WEF report I read suggested that the overall growth opportunity would be less than $1B total over the next decade, and that doesn't make much sense to me. Food insecurity is projected to escalate over the next decade, driven primarily by the intensifying impacts of climate change on global food systems. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events are disrupting agricultural production, particularly in regions reliant on rain-fed farming. Eo make things worse, rising sea levels and extreme weather are damaging critical infrastructure, such as ports, which are vital for global food trade. By 2035, these disruptions are expected to cause supply chain bottlenecks, driving up food prices and reducing availability, even in regions far removed from the initial production shocks. However, this crisis is also likely to spur growth in the agritech industry, as satellite data and advanced analytics are increasingly leveraged to optimize crop yields, monitor soil health, and predict weather patterns, helping farmers adapt to changing conditions. Without transformative solutions—such as climate-smart agriculture, robust social protection systems, and investments in food system resilience—the number of food-insecure people globally could rise significantly, with projections suggesting an additional 77 million people at risk by 2050. If you need a look at what can happen the weather gets in the way of agriculture then look no further than the current Arabica coffee prices of today...ouch. Providing my opinion, I fully recognize the opportunity that will come from addressing food security with dramatic changes in global climate, and satellite imagining will undoubtably assist in agriculture. However, using satellite data to increase profitability by optimizing the last mile of a burrito delivery on DoorDash seems like squeezing blood from a stone. For those reasons I'm far more bearish in this segment of the economy than some of the alternatives that were proposed. The Best Defense is Knowing First Governments, often working with companies in the private sector, can use satellite images and data to gain valuable intelligence, such as information on the movement of troops or the installation of weapons systems. Space has become a critical domain for national defense, with military operations relying heavily on satellites for communication, navigation, surveillance, and intelligence gathering, supported by a global space economy projected to reach 1.8T by 2035. However, the growing reliance on space assets has made them vulnerable to anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons and cyberattacks, prompting investments in resilient satellite constellations and space situational awareness (SSA) systems to track over 27,000 objects in orbit and prevent collisions. As geopolitical rivalries escalate, the U.S. may prioritize these investments to ensure that its military and civilian infrastructure remain globally competitive. Geopolitical tensions are expected to significantly influence U.S. defense spending, particularly in the development of Resilient GPS (R-GPS) and Alternative Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (AltPNT) systems. As global conflicts intensify and China’s BeiDou navigation system continues to expand its influence in aligned countries, the U.S. is under pressure to ensure the reliability and security of its positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities. GPS, which underpins critical military and civilian infrastructure, is increasingly vulnerable to jamming, spoofing, and cyberattacks. To counter these threats, the U.S. Department of Defense is investing heavily in R-GPS, which aims to enhance the resilience of existing GPS systems through advanced encryption, signal redundancy, and anti-jamming technologies. Additionally, the establishment of a Space National Guard is anticipated under the new administration, further integrating commercial and military efforts to safeguard space-based assets and ensure uninterrupted PNT services. Space Situational Awareness (SSA) is essential for tracking objects in orbit and preventing collisions, especially as space becomes more crowded with over 27,000 tracked objects and countless debris pieces. SSA systems use sensors, radar, and AI to monitor objects, predict collisions, and detect threats like satellite jamming or anti-satellite tests. The U.S. Space Surveillance Network (SSN) tracks objects as small as 10 centimeters, while companies like LeoLabs offer commercial tracking services. The global SSA market is growing rapidly, projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2026, driven by the need to protect satellites that support critical services like GPS, communications, and weather monitoring. As space becomes more congested and contested, SSA ensures the safety and sustainability of space operations, preventing disruptions that could cost billions in economic losses. As geopolitical rivalries escalate, the U.S. may prioritize these investments to ensure that its military and civilian infrastructure remain globally competitive.

Want to write longer posts on Bluesky?

Create your own extended posts and share them seamlessly on Bluesky.

Create Your Post

This is a free tool. If you find it useful, please consider a donation to keep it alive! 💙

You can find the coffee icon in the bottom right corner.