R
eal estate investors are shifting their focus to the space economy, driven by growing demand for facilities that support space exploration and data storage. Hines, a global real estate firm, has acquired the Titusville Logistics Center in Florida's Space Coast, a 250,000-square-foot industrial facility. This move highlights a trend of investment in space-related real estate.

    "We're at the beginning of a major investment wave," said David Steinbach, Hines' global chief investment officer. "We're creating new infrastructure that will support lunar and deep space missions." He compared this moment to the expansion of railroads in the 19th century, noting that Earth-based infrastructure will be crucial for supporting space missions.

    Steinbach pointed out that space-based data centers could harness unlimited solar energy and cooling from space, reducing reliance on Earth's power grids. Companies like ICON are already developing technology to make this vision possible, including 3D printing systems for construction on the moon and Mars.

    California startup Ethos has developed a moon-ready cement made from anorthosite, a mineral found in lunar rock. This material could be used to build landing pads, roads, data centers, and solar panel components. "People are excited about this vision," said CEO Ross Centers. "It's not every generation you get a new continent to unlock."

    Despite challenges in the US industrial market, Steinbach sees opportunities in space-focused submarkets like Florida and Texas. He believes investors are looking for great returns and sees space-related real estate as a promising opportunity.