Technology Spillovers from the Final Frontier: A Long–Run View of U.S. Space Innovation

Luisa Corrado (), Stefano Grassi () and Aldo Paolillo ()

No 573, National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers from National Institute of Economic and Social Research

Abstract: Recent studies suggest that space activities generate significant economic benefits. This paper attempts to quantify these effects by modeling both business cycle and long–run effects driven by space sector activities. We develop a model in which technologies are shaped by both a dedicated R&D sector and spillovers from space†sector innovations. Using U.S. data from the 1960s to the present day, we analyze patent grants to distinguish between space and core sector technologies. By leveraging the network of patent citations, we further examine the evolving dependence between space and core technologies over time. Our findings highlight the positive impact of the aerospace sector on technological innovation and economic growth, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s.

Keywords: Aerospace; Space Economy; Growth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A1 C5 E00 O10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cse, nep-gro, nep-his, nep-mac and nep-sbm
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