Labor Force Equity Needs to Prioritize Rapidly Growing Sectors: Could the Space Sector help Women Increase High paying Careers

The Space industry pendulum has shifted from Government control to private sector as Elon Musk announces intent to move SpaceX from California to Texas. This move will likely motivate senior space personnel at SpaceX to consider finding a local space career. What this means is the sector and women in the sector have unprecedented opportunities. 2025 is going to be one of great change, will women capitalize.

'Commercial space revenues totaled $445 billion in 2023, 5.4% higher than 2022. Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) remained the largest commercial subsector with $209 billion in revenues, $11 billion more than 2022. Ground Stations and Equipment, the next largest category, grew $17 billion (19%) last year.' MorningStar 2024 Space Foundation Report.

"To this day, only 11% of all people that have been to space are women; and beyond that the representation of women in STEM, a vital talent pipeline for the sector, sits at only 22% globally." Mar 13, 2024 https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-missions/need-more-women-in-space-sector Gabriella Goddard

"Jennifer (Buchli) and Meghan (Everett) are leading the continuation of the story of the International Space Station – which has hosted over 3,000 experiments from more than 5,000 researchers representing over 100 countries so far, with more than 4,000 scientific journal publications based on space station science – and all the invaluable science the orbiting laboratory has to offer. Their leadership, and the science they are shepherding, will better prepare us for future exploration missions and benefit humanity back on Earth." Meet the two women leading space station science? NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

"One of the principal reasons we must continue is that exploring the unknown is core to the human," said ExtremeTech . The thrill of investigating a new frontier compels us to take part in even dangerous operations. "Environments like space and the deep sea are opening up for regular exploration, not just for nations hoping to plant flags but also for scientists and industry," said the Journal. The growing investment in space exploration is also prompting a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The 4IR is "characterized by the fusion of technologies that integrate the biological, physical and technological spheres," and it is "transforming economic, political and social systems," Brookings said. Similar to previous industrial revolutions, the 4IR could cause rippling changes to society, "fostering economic growth and structural transformation, fighting poverty and inequality, reinventing labor, skills, and production, increasing financial services and investment, modernizing agriculture and agro-industries and improving health care and human capital." We're in the Golden Age of Space Exploration by Devika Rao

"In today's interconnected global economy, equitable access to space assets is pivotal to bridging the vast digital divide and unlocking substantial opportunities for sustainable development. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, I emphasized the transformative potential of shared space assets. This innovative approach significantly shifts how we tackle global disparities in accessing critical technologies. This model, encompassing fractional ownership and direct acquisition of space services, empowers developing nations, academic institutions and small enterprises, catalyzing advancements in workforce development and economic growth." Unlocking The Cosmos Economy: The Role Of Shared Space Services And Fractional Ownership by Shelli Brunswick Forbes

If we want more women in tech jobs we need more women role models.