Space activity: condition, features and trends

This paper analyzes the aspects of space activities in its modern state, characteristics and trends of sustainable development. The importance and value of space activities and the space industry are defined in various aspects. A broad interpretation of the category “space activities” is marked by official sources. The main directions of space activities include: development, manufacture and operation of unmanned spacecraft; space exploration using manned spacecraft and manned space stations; provision of services to launch spacecraft to domestic and foreign customers; creation and use of land-based infrastructure. A brief description of each direction is given. The features of space activities based on the analysis of the scientific literature are formulated. The features of space activities are backed by official statistics. Stable trends of development of space activities include: globalization of space activities in view of expanding the number of participating countries; democratization of space activities as a process of reducing state control; increased use of public-private partnerships; advances in technology of space launch in the direction of the unification of launch vehicles; renewed interest in society to large-scale space projects implemented in the interests of fundamental science; increased economic attractiveness of the space market due to the empowerment of private capital; institutional development of space activities as a form of legal regulation of participants in space activities. The importance of the transformations which take place in the space industry and the relevance of the use of the project approach to the implementation of space activities are also noted.