Space organisations need to strengthen project management capability as the scale and complexity of missions increases, according to experts from Association for Project Management, with research finding that just over half of senior aerospace and defence leaders integrate project management principles into organisational strategy.
Ahead of World Space Week, which runs from 4 to 10 October 2026, leaders of APM’s Space Sector Interest Network have highlighted project leadership, governance, sponsorship and workforce capability as priorities for organisations operating in the sector.
APM research found that 54% of senior leaders in aerospace and defence integrate project management principles into their organisational strategies, compared with an average of 64% across sectors.
Martina Blake, Lead for the APM Space Sector Interest Network, said the gap could affect organisations’ ability both to deliver complex programmes and respond to change.
“The space sector manages complex mega-projects, with strict timelines and multiple stakeholders; alongside a delivery environment that is highly dangerous and unpredictable,” she said.
“With the global space sector growing at nearly 10% annually and projected to reach £1.5 trillion by 2035, the scale and complexity of space missions is accelerating.”
Communication and delivery capability identified as challenges
Research commissioned by APM and conducted by Censuswide also examined the reasons senior aerospace leaders believe organisational strategies fail.
Lack of communication was the most commonly identified issue, cited by 24% of respondents. This was followed by not having people responsible for overseeing delivery, at 22%, and a lack of clarity around requirements, cited by 20%.
Blake said organisations looking to expand the scale and speed of space programmes would need to consider project capability alongside their investment in technology and technical skills.
“Accelerating and scaling delivery in a way that respects an environment as challenging and uncertain as outer space demands a focus on project management capability – not only in terms of recruitment and upskilling, but in how organisations perceive the project profession,” she said.
The comments come as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies increasingly influence the way space projects are designed and delivered. APM argues that the human element of programmes will remain important as organisations adopt these technologies.
Sponsorship and governance key to delivery
Mark Heelis, Deputy Lead of the APM Space Sector Interest Network, highlighted project sponsorship as another area that could help organisations address delivery challenges.
He said sponsors can play an important role in overcoming organisational and functional boundaries and ensuring projects remain aligned with strategic objectives.
“Many of the challenges highlighted in APM’s survey can be tackled through stronger project leadership, governance and sponsorship,” Heelis said.
“Project professionals are helping organisations break down silos, improve communication and ensure strategic priorities are translated into successful delivery. Strong sponsorship is key in aligning stakeholders and ensuring projects maintain speed in delivery.”
He added that the combination of technological development, engineering and strategic leadership made project management particularly relevant to the space sector.
Focus on project capability during World Space Week
APM’s Space Sector Interest Network will use World Space Week to publish a series of resources examining this year’s theme, “The Rocket Revolution”.
Content planned during the week includes articles, a case study with David Tellett of Magdrive, a podcast featuring European Space Agency Reserve Astronaut Meganne Christian and other resources for project professionals working in the sector.
The network brings together project professionals and other participants from across the international space industry to exchange knowledge and delivery practices.
Blake said project professionals form part of a wider workforce alongside engineers, scientists and astronauts responsible for delivering space programmes, but argued that organisations could do more to recognise the contribution of the profession.
“Project professionals, alongside engineers, scientists and astronauts to name a few professions, make up the space sector, but there is more we can do to realise the benefits of investing in the project profession,” she said.
