Cross-Fertilization in Commercial Space Station Ecosystems: A Catalyst for Innovation and Growth

As the International Space Station approaches decommissioning, private actors such as Axiom, Starlab, and Blue Origin are pioneering the development of Commercial Space Stations (CSS) and their surrounding ecosystems, comprising suppliers, partners, and customers. Their long-term viability hinges on technological capability and, crucially, on their ability to generate sustainable revenue streams. This depends on attracting non-space industries, from healthcare and biotech to manufacturing, energy, and food, and engaging with and investing in CSS-driven research and innovation. A critical yet largely unexplored phenomenon is emerging: CSS ecosystems influence one another unexpectedly in their broader ecology. The decisions of potential customers in one ecosystem can trigger a ripple effect, shaping demand and competition across others. For instance, if a food-tech company conducts experiments on one CSS, its competitors may feel compelled to follow suit, either within the same ecosystem or by engaging with a rival CSS. Understanding these competitive and interdependent dynamics is essential to assessing the commercial potential and long-term sustainability of the next generation of space stations. To this end, our paper answers the question: “How are emerging CSS ecosystems influencing each other? Why?”. The empirical setting is the CSS ecology, composed of three main CSS ecosystems: Axiom, Starlab, and Orbital Reef. We analyzed 269 documents and performed 12 interviews. We performed a network analysis of the CSS ecology (consisting of 165 actors having 520 key connections) to model the influence among the ecosystems. We found that 1) CSS ecosystems influence others by engaging potential clients. 2) The CSS ecosystem is shaped bottom-up (from the potential clients to the ecosystem) and not a top-down approach (from institutions to the ecosystem). Our research provides the first-ever holistic and systemic perspective on the dynamics and interactions between CSS ecosystems. For managers shaping the future of commercial space stations, our insights offer a strategic edge in identifying and engaging the key players driving these evolving networks. Likewise, space agency officers can leverage our findings to pinpoint critical actors fueling ecosystem growth. This allows them to craft targeted policies and initiatives that accelerate development and long-term success.