PwC’s ‘Lunar market assessment: market trends and challenges in the development of a lunar economy’

PwC’s ‘Lunar market assessment: market trends and challenges in the development of a lunar economy’ [Nov/2021]

In September 2021, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) published the “Lunar market assessment: market trends and challenges in the development of a lunar economy”, an analysis of a potential future economy on the Moon. With plans to return humans permanently to the lunar surface, its integration in the global economic operations becomes more pressing than ever before. PwC’s lunar market assessment predicts the field to surpass a value of €142 billion[1] by 2040 and identified three key areas to measure its output:

  • Transportation of humans and resources between Moon and Earth, as well as potential applications of projects in the lunar orbit;
  • Exploitation of Moon data on Earth, covering technical data for mission preparation and research, as well as entertainment data for leisure usage on Earth;
  • Resource utilisation which stretches from mining, over manufacturing, to exports and infrastructure projects.

Following increased accessibility, the Moon’s ecosystem is expected to include space agencies alongside private players and non-space industries. Cooperation between public space agencies and private investors is seen as the key variable for a successful implementation of a thriving lunar economy. As in traditional markets, the lunar economy gives opportunity for direct competition with businesses on Earth but also presents a major chance for symbioses for already established players (i.e. for mining, automobile or construction companies). Terrestrial industries can benefit additionally from economic lunar activities through new technology innovation, new market creation, and high level of public spending. Special potential for future growth is predicted in the development of new markets for deep space exploration using the Moon as gateway.

Besides the economic effects, a lunar economy can have further far-reaching societal impacts. Firstly, international relations and political agendas are predicted to reflect the lunar economy progress due to its strategic opportunities. Secondly, the leap for scientific progress through the new inputs from living on the Moon shall have invaluable potential for new discoveries.

To access the study and more detailed information, please click here.



[1] $170 billion


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