GZERO World with Ian Bremmer The two trillion dollar opportunity
5 snips
Jul 24, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Alex MacDonald, former Chief Economist at NASA and current non-resident senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, dives into the booming space economy projected to hit $1.8 trillion by 2035. He shares insights on the surprising history of private investment in space, the transformative advancements shaping our daily lives, and the ethical considerations of extraterrestrial missions. MacDonald also highlights unique career paths and the diverse skills driving this new frontier of innovation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Private Space Investment
- Private billionaires have historically funded space exploration efforts like telescopes long before government space programs existed.
- Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos continue this legacy of private investment in space today as prominent examples.
NASA's Service Purchase Shift
- NASA's shift to purchasing space services as contracts spurred private investment and entrepreneurship.
- Guaranteed revenue streams from government contracts encouraged companies to innovate and develop sustainable business models.
Space Economy Is Persistent
- The space economy is now persistent and continuously growing, driven by consistent industry and business activity.
- This contrasts with past eras characterized by projects followed by long inactivity gaps.