The Impact of Conflict on the Space Industry: Case Studies on the Russia-Ukraine and Iran Wars

"The conflicts in Ukraine and Iran have highlighted the risk that conflicts pose to the space industry within a globally entwined economy."

Geopolitical conflict is reshaping the space industry, exposing vulnerabilities across supply chains, launch access, satellite operations and ground infrastructure. These pressures are driving a renewed focus on resilience, sovereignty and defence-led investment across the global space value chain.

This report examines how conflict-driven disruption is altering risk and strategic priorities, using the Russia?Ukraine and Iran wars as case studies. It also considers broader state?on?state tensions and major geopolitical flashpoints to provide a wider view of emerging risks.

This report answers the following questions.

• How have the Russia?Ukraine and Iran wars impacted the global economy, national policies and infrastructure?
• What impact have these conflicts had on the space industry?
• What future flashpoints exist, and what is the risk to the space industry?
• Does the impact on the space industry between the two conflicts share any similarities that can be applied to future flashpoints?