Maine Space Conference 2030

Maine Space Complex

The Maine Space Complex will be geographically distributed, benefiting multiple counties throughout the State, as shown in Figure 1. Geographically distributed capabilities offer the best opportunity to align with the market demand and facilitate the growth of Maine space offerings. The Complex includes the Maine Space Data and Advanced Analytics Center, the Maine Space R&D and Innovation Hub and Maine Launch Sites and Services.

Geographically Distributed Maine Space Complex
Contribution to Maine’s Economic Development Strategy 2020-2029

The Maine Space Complex will contribute to the state’s Economic Development Strategy 2020-2029 TALENT and INNOVATION Goals by:

  • Retaining Maine’s students and Immigrants with STEM degrees.
  • Attracting highly skilled workers and their families from out of state.
  • Encouraging startups and spur development in all seven technology sectors.
  • Developing globally based applications for research, commercial and consumer uses.
  • Facilitating STEM learning opportunities for Maine high school and higher education students.
  • Promoting economic aspirations for All Mainers.
  • Advancing Maine to a new competitive level in a fast-growing Knowledge Economy.
Economic Impact Projections

The Maine Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) commissioned the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at the University of Southern Maine (USM) to conduct an economic impact analysis of the proposed Maine Space Complex and business components. The study developed revenue and market share forecasts for space complex business components drawing on several industry sources and experts. Four scenarios were simulated over an 18-year forecast horizon using an economic model developed by Regional Economic Models Incorporated (REMI) and maintained by CBER. The results indicate that a new space economy in Maine could contribute:

  • Between $550 million to $1.1 billion per year (in fixed 2022 $) to the state GDP by 2042, and
  • Between 2,800 and 5,500 good-paying jobs annually by 2042 while providing a significant source of tax revenues across the state.

Although not a comprehensive evaluation of a space complex development, these simulations represent the potential impacts assuming that a new space economy emerges in line with market forecasts and under the various scenarios simulated in this analysis. There are no probabilities assigned to these scenarios.

The development of the Maine Space Complex and the new space economy has the potential for significant economic impacts on the state and regional economies. It is well-aligned with the state’s 10-year economic development strategy focused on innovation. The scenarios and forecasts presented in this analysis represent a subset of an industry’s potential development paths.