Matt Weinzierl on the economics of space

Space has become a $400 billion per year business; where does all that money even come from? If space exploration has to privatize in order to stay alive, what will the market demand for this technology look like? And as private sector innovation makes the Final Frontier look more and more like Earth’s suburban backyard, could we be overthinking the economic difficulties of space exploration? Matt Weinzierl joins me today to answer these questions. Matt Weinzierl is the Joseph and Jacqueline Elbling Professor of Business Administration in the Business, Government, and the International Economy Unit at Harvard Business School and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. His research focuses on the optimal design of economic policy, in particular taxation, with an emphasis on better understanding the philosophical principles underlying policy choices. Recently, he has launched a set of research projects focused on the commercialization of the space sector and its economic implications. Additionally, you can check out the full transcript of our conversation here, or read a shortened version here.