Mapping the Spread of NewSpace Companies Developing, Testing, Producing or Marketing Missile-related Technology: A Pilot Study

The growth of the NewSpace sector over the past 20 years has resulted in the creation of many NewSpace companies developing, testing, producing or marketing missile-related technology, both in partners of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and non-partners. NewSpace is changing the nature of the space industry, exacerbating missile proliferation risks and posing challenges for the effective implementation of export controls. 

A SIPRI pilot study has mapped the missile-related NewSpace industry of 84 selected states, including MTCR partners, adherents and non-participating states. Over half of the adherents and non-participating states have established NewSpace companies that are developing, testing, producing or marketing missile-related technology in their domestic industry, and eight of them also have active small- and micro-launcher projects. The spread of missile-related technology through the NewSpace industry is an increasingly important factor for the MTCR and other missile non-proliferation instruments when considering expanding membership and targeting outreach.

This fact sheet provides a summary of the results of the pilot study and outlines policy recommendations to the MTCR partners.

For the full results of the pilot study, see the report The Expansion of the NewSpace Industry and Missile Technology Proliferation Risks.