Edward Conard

Top Ten New York Times Bestselling Author

  • “Unintended Consequences offers deep and well-argued analyses on almost every issue.” - The New York Times
  • “Unintended Consequences is far smarter and more thought-provoking than most economics written for the general public” - Greg Mankiw, Harvard University, Former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors
  • “…a very valuable contribution.” - Larry Summers, former Secretary of the Treasury and director of the National Economic Council, president emeritus, Harvard University
  • “Unintended Consequences represents the most cogent and persuasive analysis of the Financial Crisis to date.” - Andrei Shleifer, 1999 John Bates Clark Medal Winner
  • “…reminds us that inequality sends a signal of what society lacks most, in America’s case, entrepreneurship and risk taking.” - Lawrence Lindsey, CEO, The Lindsey Group, former Director of the National Economic Council
  • “Unintended Consequences should be read by anyone who takes for granted the superiority of progressive taxation and has not thought carefully about the trade-offs involved.” - The New Republic
  • “…a very valuable contribution.” - Larry Summers, former Secretary of the Treasury and director of the National Economic Council, president emeritus, Harvard University
  • “A full-throated defense of economic dynamism.” - The Wall Street Journal
  • “…reminds us that inequality sends a signal of what society lacks most, in America’s case, entrepreneurship and risk taking.” - Lawrence Lindsey, CEO, The Lindsey Group, former Director of the National Economic Council
  • “…challenges misconceptions that distort our economic debates.” - Arthur Brooks, President of the American Enterprise Institute
  • “…challenges misconceptions that distort our economic debates.” - Arthur Brooks, President of the American Enterprise Institute
  • “…a fresh argument for the productive value of inequality.” - David Autor, Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Upside of Inequality Oxford Unintended Consequences

AI Summary. The US operates 81% of commercial satellites in orbit and 86% of global effective launch capacity, with NATO allies second in satellites at 11% and China second in launch capacity at 9%. China is pursuing mega satellite constellations and reusable rockets, in many cases copying approaches already proven by US companies.

Todd Harrison American Enterprise Institute
Date Posted:

In 2024 the US had 81% of commercial satellites in operation and 86% of global effective launch capacity. @ToddHarrisonDC @AEI argues this creates “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to extend a rules-based international order into space.”

Does the US lead China in commercial satellites and launch capacity?

Core argument: The United States operates 81% of commercial satellites in orbit and holds 86% of global effective launch capacity so far in 2024, with NATO allies second in satellites at 11% and China second in launch at 9%.

The United States holds a commanding lead in the number of commercial satellites (81% of all commercial satellites in operation today) and in launch (86% of global effective launch capacity so far in 2024). NATO allies (mainly the United Kingdom and France) are a distant second place in the number of commercial satellites (11%), and China is a distant second in effective launch capacity (9%). China is working hard to catch up, and it has plans for mega constellations of satellites and reusable rockets. In many cases, however, it is merely copying what has already proven successful for US companies. The other major space powers, such as Russia, India, and Japan, are well behind the United States, Europe, and China in the commercial space competition. The United States has a window of opportunity to build and extend its lead in nearly all areas of the competition in space, but it must act quickly and in partnership with like-minded nations to remain competitive in all events. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to extend a rules-based international order into space.

Takeaways by Macro Roundup® AI

  1. The United States operates 81% of commercial satellites in orbit and holds 86% of global effective launch capacity so far in 2024, with NATO allies second in satellites at 11% and China second in launch at 9%.
  2. China is pursuing mega constellations of satellites and reusable rockets to close the gap, in many cases copying approaches already proven successful by US companies.
  3. Russia, India, and Japan trail the United States, Europe, and China in commercial space competition, and the United States has a window to extend its lead by acting quickly in partnership with like-minded nations.

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  • Building an Enduring Advantage in the Third Space Age — The United States and China each logged their highest-ever annual launch rates, at 103 and 66 launches, while Russia fell to 19 and Europe recorded three. The US accounted for roughly half of global launches but 81% of effective launch capacity, since Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy comprised 93% of US launches.
  • Space: The Missing Element of Your Strategy — Private-sector funding of space-related companies has topped $10bn, close to a tenfold rise over the past decade, though the US government remains the largest source of space funding. If current momentum continues, commercial funding for space ventures could surpass government funding within 20 years.
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