**4.2.3 Dependency**

Another basic problem for newcomers seems to be the dependency on other nations for specialized spacecraft technologies, such as radiation tolerance, propulsion technologies for complicated orbital manoeuvres, geographic distribution of ground stations networks, launchers, and the employment of international standards that are different than national ones. Unfortunately, many of these technologies are protected by national or well known international safeguards. Once a qualified space technology is protected and distribution is limited, newcomers are compelled to depend on other components, which may be less reliable or result in reduced performance, thereby slowing progress and increasing the risk in newly designed spacecraft.

### **4.2.4 Advantages**

Although the space industry cannot be considered to be labour-intensive, the cost of recruiting the necessary high-skilled staff is an important component of space program costs. In developing and newly-industrialized countries, the labour costs of the engineers, scientists and other technical people are considerably lower compared to equivalent workers in developed countries.

In (Leloglu, 2009), the advantages of latecomers in space technologies have been discussed in detail. To summarize, some of the advantages are the ability to exploit literature published based on the difficultly-acquired experience of others; the accessibility of space equipment from various suppliers, which facilitates integration of space systems; a rich spectrum of technology transfer options; and developments in nano- and micro-satellites that enable the acquisition of basic capabilities with relatively modest resources.
