Mercantilism and Space

The accelerating commercialization of Space, especially in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) activities, has created a complex policy and market environment in which economic theory lags behind technological and geopolitical realities. This paper revisits mercantilist principles as an interpretive framework for understanding the emerging Space economy. Using a historical-comparative and conceptual approach, it examines how state-led strategies, competitive advantage, and the strategic control of resources reappear in twenty-first-century Space initiatives. The analysis introduces the concept of pseudo-mercantilism, explaining how traditional economic logic coexists with modern innovation and sustainability imperatives. The paper concludes with governance recommendations that reconcile national ambition with collective responsibility, contributing to debates on a sustainable and equitable Space economy.