Interplay of the Public and Private Sectors in the Development of Outer Space in Ukraine: Strengths and Weaknesses

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of the interaction peculiarities between the public and private sectors in the field of space exploration in Ukraine. The purpose of the study was to identify five key weaknesses and strengths of the Ukrainian space industry, which are a catalyst or inhibitor of further successful development of the industry. It is established that Ukraine has taken several necessary steps to implement a system of relations between the private and public sectors in space exploration. The authors identify five key weaknesses and strengths in the development of the Ukrainian space industry: 1) Russia’s war against Ukraine; 2) lack of a systemic vision for the development of Ukraine’s space industry; 3) legal unregulated interaction between the public and private sectors in space exploration; 4) the unviability of the existing model of stakeholder interaction in space exploration; 5) vested interests and the functioning of financial-political groups. It was noted that, in addition to significant shortcomings, Ukraine’s domestic space industry has a few advantages. And as is often the case, strengths stem from weaknesses: 1) availability of qualified personnel; 2) existence of national space legislation; 3) investment attractiveness of the Ukrainian market; 4) Russia’s war against Ukraine; 5) space brand of Ukraine. It is substantiated that understanding the strengths and weaknesses on the way to implementing an effective model of relations in the triangle “state – business – academic environment” is a prerequisite for reviving Ukraine’s space potential and strengthening its competitiveness on the world scene.

Keywords

• space economy
• space industry
• space activities
• space policy
• public and private sector
• business
• public authorities
• commercialization of space
• space industry of ukraine
• vested interest