According to Euroconsult's newly released executive report, Government Space Programs: Strategic Outlook, Benchmarks and Forecasts, government funding for space is expected to progressively recover as public finances regain their comfort zone and programs enter a new growth cycle.

Following a critical period of cyclical low funding which concluded in a budget decrease in 2013 worldwide, moderate growth is expected moving forward which should bring world spending to $82 billion by 2023.

Although civil programs drive current funding, accounting for 61% of the world's total, defense programs are expected to experience a remarkable recovery while civil funding should plateau before entering a new expansion phase later in the decade.

"Despite budget cuts, governments plan to launch 35% more satellites in the coming 10 years than what was launched during the previous decade," said Steve Bochinger, COO at Euroconsult and editor of the report.

"Civil satellite missions will drive this growth with an average of 62 civil satellites launched per year, a growth of 55% compared to the previous decade, driven by Earth observation, communications and navigation programs. Defense satellites will remain stable with 210 satellites, of which more than half will come from the U.S."

Government Space Programs: Strategic Outlook, Benchmarks and Forecasts assesses key economic and program trends for each major space application, which include:

+ Manned spaceflight is and will remain the first spending item globally but only from a limited number of countries. From $10.99 billion in 2013, investments are expected to grow to $17.5 billion in 2023 driven by the development of next-generation transportation systems and orbital infrastructures.

+ Earth observation and meteorology received $10.7 billion in 2013 driven by civil programs to be undertaken in 62 countries by 2023, generating a huge 80% growth in satellites launches.

+ The development of next-generation vehicles in multiple countries is boosting expenditures related to launcher programs: $8.6 billion spent by 15 countries/agencies in 2013.

+ Satellite communications will continue its funding decline to an estimated $5.9 billion by 2023 under the effect of declining military expenditures. Civil programs drive funding and satellites to launch.

+ Space science and exploration totaled $5.6 billion in 2013 and is expected to see a CAGR of 3.7% through 2023, driven by ambitious plans in Russia and Asia, and a sustained high level of investment in the U.S.

+ Satellite navigation reached $4.3 billion associated with only 6 programs worldwide. 124 satellites are scheduled for launch in the decade.

+ Space security should continue to receive stable funding over the years ($2.7 billion in 2013); it should remain under the auspices of the top 10 leading space nations.

While the top five space programs account for 93% of the world's government spending, the number of countries investing in space keeps increasing but is expected to stabilize. The average funding of emerging programs has increased significantly to around $50 million, however funding sustainability in these countries will be a crucial issue in the coming decade.

"On the regional front, Asia is experiencing continuous high growth as governments altogether doubled their spending between 2004 and 2013," continued Bochinger.

"The presence of three world leading space programs (Japan, China and India), new regional leaders (such as South Korea and Malaysia) and the emergence of new programs in the region brings strong dynamism which is expected to help Asia surpass Europe in the next years."