Space Pilots

The Space Foundation reported that in 2023, the global space economy had reach $570 billion in revenue, reflecting annual growth of 7.3 percent since 2018, and nearly doubling the total revenue in 2013. Robust growth is expected through 2040, with revenue projected to reach $2 trillion by that time. This growth is being spurred by the continuing expansion of the commercial aerospace industry, ongoing public-private partnerships between commercial companies and NASA and other government-funded space programs, and the emergence of space tourism as a revenue-generating subsector. "The exploration of space and the cultivation and monetization of space-related capabilities offer immense potential for the creation of economic value and future growth,” according to Virgin Galactic at its Web site. Pilots will increasingly be needed to operate the growing number of suborbital and orbital flights, as well as missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond.

Some companies have developed spacecraft that do not require a human pilot, but even at these companies there is still demand for test pilots to ensure that spacecraft in development meet design parameters and operate safely and effectively.