Space Economics Seminar Series

ESPI is partnering with Harvard Business School's Institute for Business in Global Society and The Ownership Project to convene a series of seminars on Space Economics

16 September - 16 December 2025
Register Here

Overview

ESPI is partnering with Harvard Business School’s (HBS) Institute for Business in Global Society and The Ownership Project to convene a series of seminars on Space Economics. This seminar series explores how economic tools can shape the future of the space economy through the lens of public-private interaction, market design, and institutional innovation. It will also explore how ownership structures shape the development, governance, and long-term viability of the space economy. 

Supporting this seminar series aligns with ESPI’s Education mandate as well as with its Industry, Innovation, Finance & Workforce research stream. The European space sector’s future depends on an adaptive education ecosystem that nurtures diverse talent across science, engineering, law, economics, and strategy. ESPI supports this through initiatives fostering early engagement, cross-sector integration, and a strong space culture to strengthen Europe’s workforce. 

By partnering, ESPI and HBS are creating a transatlantic platform that connects economists, space practitioners, and policymakers from Europe, the US, and beyond. The seminar series will not only host cutting-edge research and practitioner insights but also nurture a new global community of scholars and experts. This community will be positioned to collaborate on research, analysis, and shaping international policy debates.

Apply to participate here.

Seminar Schedule

Find below a preliminary Fall 2025 seminar schedule: 

16 September 2025  

  • Presenter: Lars Hornuf (Dresden University of Technology, Faculty of Business and Economics) with Daniel Vrankar.
 

 21 October 2025  

  • Presenter: Ely D. Sandler
(Harvard Kennedy School).  

 18 November 2025 

  • Presenter: Katrin Nyman-Metcalf (Tallinn University of Technology).
  • Paper Title: To be confirmed.

16 December 2025  

  • Presenters: Luisa Corrado, Stefano Grassi, and Aldo Paolillo (University of Rome).  
  • Paper Title: “Technology Spillovers from the Final Frontier: A Long-Run View of U.S. Space Innovation“. 

Seminar Recordings

Recordings of each seminar will appear here as they become available.  

Seminar #1: How Geopolitical Competition and Commercialization Shape Public Support for Space Funding 

Seminar #2: Re-Evaluating Space-Based Solar Power as a Dispatchable Power Resource

More Information & Contact

For more information about this seminar series, please contact: