Second Annual Business of Space Conference Highlights Partnerships Driving the New Space Economy

Photo credit: UAH I Michael Mercier

Space is for everyone—this was the overarching theme of the 2025 Business of Space Conference at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, and while we’re not yet shifting all our business ventures to extraterrestrial domains, we may be closer than you think. 

On February 23-25, 2025, leaders in the new space economy convened at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, for the second annual Business of Space Conference. From venture capitalists to economists to academic researchers, discussions focused on the value of partnerships and overcoming challenges that arise in the dynamic space environment. 

“Space is already an integral part of our everyday lives, but many people don’t realize it,” says Dr. Hank Alewine, conference chair and associate professor of accounting at the UAH College of Business. “Cell phones and streaming services rely on satellite networks. Some of the medications we take were developed through research conducted on the International Space Station (ISS). Even consumer products like memory foam and scratch-resistant lenses originated from technology designed for space applications.”

But if space is already so intertwined in our lives, why don’t we hear more about it apart from major rocket launches? One recurring conversation at the conference centered on the lack of public awareness of commercial space endeavors. While federal organizations like NASA prioritize research and public benefit, many commercial companies focus on profitability. They must protect intellectual property, manage risk and avoid negative publicity – factors that complicate open communication.

The Business of Space Conference aims to break down barriers and unite leaders from industry, academia and government to shape policy through collaboration and strategic partnerships. Keynote speakers Akhil Rao, Ph.D., NASA’s acting chief economist, and Colonel Michelle Idle, deputy commander of space systems command, echoed this theme by highlighting the value of collaboration in advancing space exploration.

Industry was also well-represented at the conference. One of the highlights came from keynote speaker, Ben Roberts, founder and CEO of Sky Orchard Finance and Advisory Services, LLC, who underscored the need for investors to support microgravity innovations. He emphasized that certain innovations flourish when freed from the restraints of terrestrial environments, notably those in the medical sector. Despite valid investor concerns such as the lack of demonstrated commercial successes and future uncertainty of the low Earth orbit (LEO) infrastructure, the space sector is a largely untapped market poised for exponential growth in the coming years. 

One strategic objective of the UAH College of Business is to create pathways for students to enter the space sector. 

“In the next decade, we expect to see space opportunities unfold in ways we can’t yet imagine,” says Jason T. Greene, dean of the UAH College of Business. “Space is no longer the sole domain of engineers and scientists, as there are important economic and business challenges that must be confronted in order to grow and sustain space activities. At the UAH College of Business, we are dedicated to creating opportunities for students and thought leaders to shape the future of the space sector. The Business of Space conference serves as a platform to fuel meaningful discussions, spark innovative ideas and launch research initiatives that have the potential to shape future policies and business practices within the new space economy.”

To harness the full potential of the space sector, we have to work together–for the future of Earth. Are you ready to join the conversation? The third annual Business of Space Conference will be held on March 1-3, 2026 at UAH. To learn more and sign up for conference updates, visit opce.uah.edu/2026BusinessofSpace.