More often than not, when a news alert about space pops up on your phone, it’s in the sporting sense; the Bezos and Bransons of this world “going on a jolly” — at least on the surface. However, in large part thanks to the trailblazing work of SpaceX, the cost of launching assets is at an all-time low, bringing the space economy to “an inflexion point” in its history.

No longer a playground reserved only for billionaires or governmental agencies, commercial space flight and exploration are more accessible than ever. In this final section, we highlight use cases where companies are pushing the boundaries of innovation for the benefit of the rest of us here on Earth.

Planet Labs’ satellites are assessing crop performance and helping governments assess flood, fire and earthquake damage. Recent applications include coordination with the Red Cross for rescue and relief efforts during Hawaii’s Lahaina fire and assisting the Brazilian Federal Police in combatting illegal deforestation in the Amazon. In Quebec, MDA Space is similarly developing radar-based satellites with the ability to monitor ice movements and ocean health and track illegal fishing and immigration. Space-based communications satellites can provide global broadband and direct-to-device for even the most isolated. And of course, there’s the possibility of ultimately living and working in space. But with outer space still relatively uncharted territory, fears of a lawless Wild West situation persist. Regulation is still playing catch-up, so scrappy newcomers must proceed with caution to proactively ensure ethical, responsible practices and minimize “space junk.”