NASA Futures Report Identifies Key Trends and Scenarios for Space Exploration to 2040s (nasa.gov)

• Nine major trends identified including commercial space, climate, cybersecurity, and geopolitics
• Four diverse scenarios developed to stress-test NASA strategies
• Study involved 200 participants from NASA and external stakeholders

"The Aerospace Corporation conducted a strategic foresight study for NASA, involving 200 participants, to explore challenges and opportunities in the 2040s. Nine major trends were identified, including commercial space growth, climate change, cybersecurity, synthetic biology, autonomous systems, domestic political volatility, geopolitical shifts, workforce changes, and supply chain disruptions. Four scenarios were developed based on critical uncertainties, aiming to help NASA build resilient strategies. The report emphasizes that foresight is about current actions, not just predicting the future."