Impact of the Space Program on the U.S. economy - National and state analyses

The private-sector economic and employment impacts of the U.S. Space Program on the whole nation and on each state were investigated, considering 80 industries and 475 occupations. It is shown that the FY 1987 NASA procurement expenditures of $8.6 billion resulted in 209,000 jobs, $17.8 billion in total industry sales, $2.9 billion in corporate profits, and $5.6 billion in Federal, state, and local government tax revenues. Although the industry and job impacts are concentrated in states that are the largest direct recipients of NASA program funds (California, Texas, and Florida), every state in the nation benefits from the Space Program and the indirect economic benefits for many states are very high. Details are presented of the total sales and jobs created in each state.