EPO & ESPI – Cosmonautics: The Development of Space-Related Technologies

The global space sector has experienced significant growth and diversification in the past decade, with technological advancements driving down costs and opening up new opportunities. This study analyzes this dynamism through patent filing statistics, focusing on the field of cosmonautics. The number of patent families in cosmonautics has grown from 300 to 1200 in the past decade, reflecting the expansion of the space sector. The study also highlights the increasing patent filing activity, with China emerging as a major player in the space sector with over 50% of patent families in 2018. The analysis covers trends in technology domains such as spacecraft electrical power, space system control, and propulsion, as well as the emergence of new areas like space debris management. The study concludes that there has been a noticeable increase in patenting activity worldwide, with the US leading in overall statistics followed by China, Russia, Japan, France, and Germany. Further research focusing on specific technology domains is recommended to provide a deeper understanding of trends in the space sector.