Space Entrepreneurship 101 from Udemy

The space sector is at an inflection point, perhaps similar to where the internet was in the mid-1990s: dramatic cost decreases due to reusable rockets such as SpaceX’s Falcon-9 and other factors turn a number of space business models economically viable for the first time ever. This new space economy is projected to grow to trillions of Dollars over the next decades, providing tremendous opportunities for entrepreneurs - who do not need to be aero/astro engineers to participate in this revolution.

In this course, we will learn about the new space economy, its key drivers and trends, and some of its most important business activities, such as launch, remote sensing, satellite communications and space tourism. The final section of the course provides tangible advice for launching a space startup, e.g. what sources of financing are available.

There are 27 lectures, and the total course takes about three hours. There are no prerequisites other than a keen interest in space and its business opportunities. Whatever your background is, you will be able to easily follow along the course.

Your instructor is a space venture capitalist, author of an acclaimed introductory book on the space economy and host of the Space Business Podcast, among other roles.

Space Entrepreneurship 101 is a course offered in partnership with the Space Business Institute™.

What's inside

Learning objectives

An overview of the new space economy and why it may be such a big opportunity
Reviews of each key subsector of the space economy

Where and how entrepreneurs may obtain financing for a space venture

An overview of the new space economy and why it may be such a big opportunity
Reviews of each key subsector of the space economy
Where and how entrepreneurs may obtain financing for a space venture

Syllabus

Introduction

One small step

Our mission (syllabus)

Gain an understanding of what current and future businesses are part of the space economy, its current and future size, and its stakeholders.

Overview of the Space Economy

Key Drivers: Launch Cost

Key Drivers: Component Costs

Stakeholders

Assignment 1

Businesses in Space

Rockets & Launch

Satellites

Satellite Communications

Earth Observation

Experiments & Manufacturing in Microgravity

Space Tourism

Lunar Businesses

Orbit Services

Other Space Businesses

Assignment 2

Launching your Space Business

Section Overview

Ideation

Pitching

Financing Sources - Private Sector

Financing Sources - Public Sector

Assignment 3

De-orbit

Next Steps

Congratulations & Godspeed

Bonus Lecture: how to participate in space besides being an entrepreneur

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the new space economy, which is projected to grow to trillions of dollars, providing tremendous opportunities for entrepreneurs

Provides tangible advice for launching a space startup, such as available sources of financing, which is critical for new ventures

Reviews key subsectors of the space economy, such as launch, remote sensing, satellite communications, and space tourism

Requires a keen interest in space and its business opportunities, making it accessible to individuals from various backgrounds

Taught by a space venture capitalist, author, and podcast host, who brings practical experience and insights to the course

Includes lectures on pitching and ideation, which are essential skills for securing funding and developing viable business plans

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Space Entrepreneurship 101 with these activities:

The Space Economy: How Space Technology is Creating a New Era of Business

Show steps

Gain a broader understanding of the space economy and its potential by reading this book.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the book, focusing on chapters related to course topics.
Take notes on key concepts and business opportunities.

Review Basic Business Principles

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of core business concepts before diving into the specifics of space entrepreneurship.

Browse courses on Business Models

Show steps

Review introductory materials on business principles.
Focus on topics like market analysis and financial projections.

Develop a Space Business Idea

Show steps

Apply the course concepts by developing a detailed business plan for a space-related venture.

Show steps

Brainstorm potential space business ideas.
Conduct market research to validate your idea.
Develop a business plan including financial projections.
Prepare a pitch deck.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Presentation on a Space Sector

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of a specific space sector by researching and presenting on it.

Show steps

Choose a space sector (e.g., satellite communications).
Research the sector's key players and trends.
Create a presentation summarizing your findings.

Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX

Show steps

Learn about the challenges and successes of building a space company by reading this book.

View Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the book, focusing on the business and technical challenges faced by SpaceX.
Reflect on the lessons learned from SpaceX's journey.

Attend Space Industry Events

Show steps

Connect with industry professionals and learn about the latest developments in the space sector.

Show steps

Identify space industry events in your area or online.
Attend the events and network with attendees.
Follow up with contacts after the event.

Compile a List of Space Industry Resources

Show steps

Create a valuable resource for yourself and others by compiling a list of relevant space industry resources.

Show steps

Research space industry websites, publications, and organizations.
Compile a list of resources with descriptions and links.
Share your list with other students and industry professionals.

Career center

Learners who complete Space Entrepreneurship 101 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Space Venture Capitalist

A space venture capitalist evaluates and invests in early-stage space companies, playing a crucial role in the growth of the new space economy. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the various subsectors of the space economy, a critical aspect for a venture capitalist. The course’s material on financing sources also will be particularly useful for a space venture capitalist. It is taught by a space venture capitalist who also authored a book and podcast on the space economy, putting the learner in a useful position to understand the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Space Venture Capitalist

Space Business Consultant

A space business consultant advises companies in the space sector on business strategy, market analysis, and financial planning. This course helps someone who would be a space business consultant gain a thorough understanding of the space economy, its drivers, and trends. The course also covers key business activities like launch, remote sensing, and space tourism, topics with which a space business consultant should be familiar. Understanding how to obtain financing for a space venture is a particularly important piece of information to have in this consulting role, which is covered in the course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Space Business Consultant

Aerospace Entrepreneur

An aerospace entrepreneur starts and manages companies focused on space-related products or services. This course is designed for anyone interested in becoming an aerospace entrepreneur. The course provides an overview of the new space economy, its key drivers, and trends. Additionally, the course gives advice on launching a space startup and identifying financing sources. Learning about real-world space businesses such as rockets, satellites, and space tourism through this course will be beneficial to an aerospace entrepreneur who wants to be competitive in this new environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Entrepreneur

Space Industry Analyst

A space industry analyst researches and reports on trends and developments within the space sector. This course helps an individual build a foundation for understanding the key drivers behind the new space economy. The course’s overview of space business activities such as launch, remote sensing, and satellite communications will be very beneficial to the role of space industry analyst. This course also covers the current and future size of this market, which will be important for the researcher to know.

See salaries and explore the career path for Space Industry Analyst

Space Technology Product Manager

A space technology product manager oversees the development, launch, and management of space-related products. This course helps a space technology product manager gain familiarity with different business activities in the space sector. The product manager would benefit from understanding the course's discussion on financing sources, as that consideration informs how products can be realized. Understanding the drivers of the space economy, as well as the key subsectors, will give anyone in this position an advantage.

See salaries and explore the career path for Space Technology Product Manager

Space Business Development Manager

A space business development manager identifies and pursues new business opportunities in the space sector. This course provides a landscape view of the new space economy, which will be crucial for the manager. This course helps give a space business development manager an understanding of the subsectors of the market. The manager will also benefit from the course content on financing space ventures, a necessary part of business development. The course provides an overview of space business activities such as launch, remote sensing, and satellite communications, which will also be useful to someone in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Space Business Development Manager

Space Marketing Specialist

A space marketing specialist develops and executes marketing strategies for space-related companies or products. This course may be useful to someone interested in this role, as it provides an understanding of the key drivers and trends within the new space economy. The course also outlines some of the most important space business activities like launch, remote sensing, and space tourism, all areas in which a space marketing specialist may find themselves working. Understanding the scope of the space economy is foundational for anyone in such a role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Space Marketing Specialist

Space Operations Manager

A space operations manager oversees the day-to-day operations of space-related projects or missions. This course may be helpful to someone in this role, as it covers topics that include rockets, satellites, and orbit services. Someone in operations may additionally find it useful to learn about the new space economy, its key drivers, and trends, as well as the various business activities within. This course can familiarize a space operations manager with the various stakeholders involved.

See salaries and explore the career path for Space Operations Manager

Space Policy Analyst

A space policy analyst researches and provides recommendations on space-related policies and regulations. This course may be useful to someone interested in this field, because it offers a broad view of the space economy. The course can provide a space policy analyst with an understanding of some of the new and emerging opportunities in the space sector. The course also covers the stakeholders in the space economy. The discussion on the key drivers of the space economy could serve as a useful foundation for someone in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Space Policy Analyst

Space Educator

A space educator develops and delivers educational programs about space-related topics. This course may help a space educator better understand the business side of space. The course provides an overview of the new space economy, its key drivers and trends, and some of its most important business activities, such as launch, remote sensing, and satellite communications. Knowing how entrepreneurs may obtain financing for a space venture may also be useful for the space educator who wants a broader understanding of the industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Space Educator

Science Journalist

A science journalist writes and reports on scientific topics, including those related to space. This course may help a science journalist better understand the current state of the space industry. This course is particularly helpful to a journalist because of its coverage of various business opportunities in space, as well as the factors driving those opportunities, such as lower launch costs. The topics covered include rockets and launch, satellites, and space tourism, all of which may be relevant for a journalist specializing in space and technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Journalist

Technology Transfer Specialist

A technology transfer specialist helps commercialize technologies developed in research settings. This course may be relevant to someone in this field, because it covers many areas within the space sector that may be applicable to technology transfer. It will help the specialist understand topics within the space economy, including how businesses become financially viable. The course covers topics including lunar businesses, orbit services, space tourism, and more, any of which can be the subject of a technology transfer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Transfer Specialist

Mechanical Engineer

A mechanical engineer designs and develops mechanical systems and devices. This course may be relevant to someone interested in becoming a mechanical engineer working in the aerospace industry. The course covers topics such as rockets and launch, satellites, and manufacturing in microgravity, all of which will be relevant to a mechanical engineer who wants to be part of the new space economy. Understanding the business drivers of this economy could give an engineer an edge over the competition.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Electrical Engineer

An electrical engineer designs and tests electrical components and systems. This course may be helpful to someone in this field, particularly someone who wants to work in the aerospace industry. Understanding the business drivers of the space industry could provide someone working as an electrical engineer with a helpful perspective. The course covers various business activities in space, including satellites and satellite communications. It covers the landscape of the new space economy, which would be important for one interested in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Software Engineer

A software engineer writes, tests and maintains software. This course may be helpful to a software engineer who has an interest in the aerospace industry. This course covers satellite communications and earth observation, areas where software plays a major role. Additionally, this course helps a software engineer understand the business aspects of this field, which can be useful in a variety of ways when working in this domain. It gives a broad understanding of the space economy, its drivers, and its trends.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Space Entrepreneurship 101

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses