NAICS 927110 Quarterly Industry Report
Space Research and Technology
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 927110Sector: Public Administration (92)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Space Research and Technology (NAICS 927110) uses data from NASA[3], Bureau of Labor Statistics[2], and the SBA[4]. Fair Market Value analysts examine space program budgets, workforce data, and mission activity specific to NAICS 927110. Additional data is drawn from U.S. Census Bureau[5].. Quarterly updates reflect changes in NASA program priorities, Space Force operations, and space technology development milestones.
Industry Definition & Overview
Space Research and Technology (NAICS 927110) encompasses government establishments primarily engaged in the administration and operation of space flights, space research, and space exploration programs. This classification covers the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and military space programs that conduct space missions, develop launch vehicles, manage satellite operations, and perform aeronautics research. Ground-based space tracking facilities and mission control centers also fall within this code. NASA operates through 10 field centers across the country, including Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Johnson Space Center in Texas, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. The agency's annual budget has ranged between $23 billion and $26 billion in recent years, funding programs spanning the International Space Station, Artemis lunar exploration, Mars rovers, and the James Webb Space Telescope. Military space operations, primarily under the U.S. Space Force, manage satellite constellations for communications, navigation, and surveillance. Additionally, space program employment includes aerospace engineers, astrophysicists, mission controllers, and program managers. NASA employs roughly 18,000 civil servants, supplemented by a contractor workforce several times that number. The Census Bureau's ASPEP survey[1] captures space research within federal government employment data. Industry Bureau of Labor Statistics[2] reports occupational detail for aerospace engineers and physical scientists concentrated at NASA centers and military installations. Research and development spending in this sector drives advances in propulsion, materials science, remote sensing, and life support systems with applications extending well beyond space exploration into commercial technology transfer.
What's Included in This Industry
- NASA headquarters and field centers
- Space flight mission planning and control offices
- Space research and exploration program offices
- Aeronautics research and technology offices
- Satellite development and operations programs
- Ground-based space tracking and telemetry stations
- U.S. Space Force operations and command offices
- Space launch facility administration
- Planetary science and earth observation programs
- Space technology transfer and commercialization offices
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Public Administration | 92 |
| Subsector | Space Research and Technology | 927 |
| Industry Group | Space Research and Technology | 9271 |
| NAICS Industry | Space Research and Technology | 92711 |
| National Industry | Space Research and Technology | 927110 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 928110 | National Security | National security establishments that operate military satellite systems, missile defense programs, and classified space operations alongside civilian space agencies |
| 928120 | International Affairs | International affairs offices that negotiate space cooperation agreements, manage international space station partnerships, and coordinate satellite diplomacy |
| 924110 | Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs | Environmental management agencies that use satellite data from space programs for climate monitoring, weather prediction, and earth observation research |
| 921110 | Executive Offices | Executive offices that set space policy priorities, propose NASA budgets, and issue national space directives guiding civil and military programs |
| 921120 | Legislative Bodies | Legislative bodies that authorize space program funding, pass commercial space legislation, and provide oversight of NASA and military space operations |
| 926120 | Regulation and Administration of Transportation Programs | Transportation program offices that regulate commercial launch operations, license spaceport activities, and oversee commercial space transportation safety |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of establishments are classified under NAICS 927110?
NAICS 927110 covers government space research and technology establishments, including NASA headquarters and field centers, Space Force operations, satellite programs, and ground tracking stations. The Census Bureau[8] focuses on government administration and operation of space programs.
How are space programs structured in the U.S. government?
NASA handles civil space exploration, science, and aeronautics research through 10 field centers. The U.S. Space Force manages military space operations. Other agencies like NOAA operate weather satellites. Commercial space activities are regulated by the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation.
Does the SBA set a size standard for NAICS 927110?
No. The SBA[9] does not assign size standards to Sector 92 codes because they cover government entities. Private aerospace contractors use their own NAICS codes for SBA program eligibility.
What NAICS codes are closely related to 927110?
Related codes include 928110 (National Security), 928120 (International Affairs), 924110 (Environmental Programs), and 926120 (Transportation Programs). The Census Bureau[10] places space research in its own subsector within public administration.
What private-sector industries commonly serve space programs?
R&D firms (NAICS 541715), engineering companies (NAICS 541330), IT vendors (NAICS 541512), and instrument manufacturers (NAICS 334511) are major contractors. Launch vehicle manufacturers, satellite builders, and mission support service companies also serve this market extensively.
What activities are included under NAICS 927110?
Activities include space mission planning and execution, satellite operations, aeronautics research, space telescope management, astronaut training, ground tracking station operations, and space technology development. NASA[3] coordinates most civilian space activities.
Can aerospace companies contracting with space programs qualify for SBA loans?
Where are space program offices concentrated?
NASA centers are located in Florida (Kennedy), Texas (Johnson), California (JPL, Ames), Alabama (Marshall), Maryland (Goddard), Virginia (Langley), Mississippi (Stennis), Ohio (Glenn), and New Mexico (White Sands). Space Force operations center at bases in Colorado, California, and Florida.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]Census Bureau's ASPEP survey census.gov
- [2]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [3]NASA nasa.gov
- [4]SBA sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]7(a) loan program sba.gov
- [7]504 loan program sba.gov
- [8]Census Bureau census.gov
- [9]SBA sba.gov
- [10]Census Bureau census.gov
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