Abstract

The commercial sector of space science is thriving. Exciting examples come to mind more easily today than ever before, including commercial spaceflight and launches, ride shares for public-sector missions, and the deployment of countless satellites that support communications and human infrastructure. What may be surprising to some is the breadth and depth of the private sector contribution that goes beyond the largest, most high-profile examples. Companies, large and small, are doing fundamental science, and becoming high-quality data providers.