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

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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 2026 seminar schedule: 

15 September 2026  

  • Authors: Luca Petruzzella (University of Bari Aldo Moro), Elena Ancona, Alessandra Celletti (University of Rome Tor Vergata), Antonio Felice Uricchio (University of Bari Aldo Moro), Sirio Zolea (Roma Tre University), Giovanni Facchinetti, and Vincenzo Quatrar
  • Paper Title: “Taxing Orbital Congestion: A Score-Calibrated Environmental Levy on Space Debris”

 13 October 2026  

  • Presenter: María Ramírez Ruiz-Bailón (Alfonso X el Sabio University)
  • Paper Title: “Legal Uncertainty, Real Options, and Investment Timing in Space Resource Activities”

 10 November 2026 

  • Presenter: Luis Torres (Torres Orbital Mining, Inc.)
  • Paper Title: “Financing Lunar ISRU Infrastructure: A Macroeconomic Framework for Evaluating Public and Private Funding Instruments”

1 December 2026  

  • Authors: Mark E. Keough and Petteri Leppänen (IE Business School)
  • Paper Title: “Technology Sovereignty and National Innovation Policy: The Case of Space Technology”

 

Seminar Recordings 2025

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

Seminar 3: Who owns the Moon, the stars and the orbits?

Seminar 4: Technology Spillovers from the Final Frontier: A Long-Run View of U.S. Space Innovation

Seminar 5: The Law and Economics of Tradeable Satellite Debris Permit Market

Seminar 6: From Sputnik to Starship: estimating the learning curve of space launch technology

Seminar 7: Brazilian space exports and imports

Seminar 8: An Economic Impact Analysis for Space-Based Solar Power Systems on the World’s Economy

More Information & Contact

For more information about this seminar series, please contact: