Space is no longer the special, protected domain that it was in the past. Because of the importance of its practical applications, it is becoming integrated into the mainstream of economic activity.
Technology push is giving way to the assessment of market opportunities and demand pull. Funding from the public sector is declining while interest in private financing is steadily growing. The value-added and service industries are increasing in importance. New technologies will be developed in a context of privatisation, de-regulation and globalization.
An international and...

Recent developments in telecommunications have led to new developments in tele-services, particularly tele-health and tele-education, for the benefit of those living in either the developed world or the less developed world. The benefits accrue to individuals and also to society at large.
An international and interdisciplinary Symposium was organized by the International Space University to bring together technical and non-technical people to consider the future applications of space techniques to tele-services. The Proceedings of this Symposium are essential reading for all who need to...

Addressing issues of ISS utilization and operations from all perspectives, especially the commercial viewpoint, as well as for scientific research and technological development, and education in the widest sense of the word this text should be of interest to those working in industry, academia and government, particularly in public-private partnerships.

M. Rycroft, FacultyMember, InternationalSpaceUniversity e-mail: Rycroft@isu.isunet.edu "The Space Transportation Market: Evolution or Revolution?" was the question which was the focus for the papers presented, and also the Panel Discussions, at the fifth annual Symposium organised by the International Space University. Held in Strasbourg, France, for three lively days at the end of May 2000, the Symposium brought together representatives of the developers, providers and operators of space transportation systems, of regulatory bodies, and of users of the space transportation infrastructure in...