Small Satellite Market Analysis

Small Satellite Market Overview

Small Satellite Market Size was valued at USD 3.5 billion in 2022. The small satellite market industry is projected to grow from USD 4.1 Billion in 2024 to USD 12.25 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.60% during the forecast period (2024 - 2030). Due to its expanded capacity, demand for small satellites with a low earth orbit (LEO) is increasing and the Internet of Things (loT) is becoming more integrated into the manufacturing sector are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth.

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Small Satellite Market Trends

• Increasing Internet of Things (loT) Integration Will Support Market Growth.

The growing Internet of Things (loT) integration is driving the market CAGR for small satellites, which will support market expansion. Devices must be connected to the internet in order for the Internet of Things (loT) to function. Numerous loT applications can be supported by terrestrial GSM, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth networks. They cannot provide as much coverage as satellites, though.

A crucial enabler in the transformation of loT connections across industries and borders is satellite technology, according to research. Among the applications are those for transportation, mining, consumers, and oil & gas. For data transfer and exchange between components and loT systems during manufacturing, loT devices use satellite connectivity. As a result, satellite connection is essential for process automation in the industrial sector, driving the sector forward.

The key benefit of loT is that its gadgets utilize the least amount of energy. For professional users, LoT delivers safe and high-availability data services as well as efficient loT installations. The connectivity provided by loT in business applications for satellite-based machine control and production is projected to benefit the market. Thus, driving the small satellite market's revenue in the process.

Small Satellite Market Segment Insights

Small Satellite Payload Insights

The small satellite market segmentation, based on payload includes LEO, MEO, GEO and Beyond GEO. The GEO category, also known as geostationary satellites, is predicted to experience the fastest-growth during the forecast period. Because they circle the Earth along a route parallel to its rotation and move with the same angular velocity as the Earth, these satellites are known as geostationary because they appear fixed. Weather forecasting, satellite radio, and satellite television are just a few of the various uses for GEO satellites.

Small Satellite Launch Platform Insights

small satellite market segmentation, based on launch platform, includes Land, Air and Sea. Due to its capacity to launch from a variety of places, including distant locales, which can lower launch costs and enhance flexibility, the air segment held the biggest market share in the industry for space launch services. Moreover, air launch methods provide the user more control over the launch trajectory, which is useful for some payloads.

Small Satellite Vehicle Size Insights

The small satellite market data is divided into two categories depending on launch vehicle size small lift launch vehicles and medium-to-heavy lift launch vehicles. The heavy launch market contributed the most and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 16.2% over the forecast period. Despite the high demand for small satellite launches, heavy launch vehicles hold a sizable segment share and are anticipated to grow quickly. The lifting of heavy payloads for the various human spacecraft, cargo, and interplanetary missions will likely depend on the heavy launch vehicle.

Figure1 Small Satellite Market, by Vehicle Size, 2022 & 2030 (USD billion)

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Small Satellite End User Insights

According to end user, the commercial, satellite service providers, private businesses, military & government, defense organizations, and space agencies make up the small satellite industry. The commercial satellite had the greatest market share in 2021, and it is predicted to grow significantly throughout the forecast period. This is due to the increase in internet services and mobile consumers. The market is developing due to the increased use of hostile spy satellites. Satellites can be used for a variety of commercial purposes, including weather forecasting, communication, and navigation. The military sector is likely to grow significantly as the use of satellites for surveillance missions increases. The government market is predicted to grow significantly as a result of expanding satellite development projects by government space organizations.

Small Satellite Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides the market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. Throughout the forecast period, North America maintained its dominance and held the largest market share. The region's market is being driven by rising NASA R&D initiatives and rising military spending on surveillance missions. The best transmission for each application is real-time transmission, which is made possible by NASA's use of SKYWAN technology and a tri-band antenna.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure2 SMALL SATELLITE MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe’s small satellite market accounts for the second-largest market share because a variety of applications now use IT-based services and the introduction of the internet. Further, the German market held the largest market share, and the UK small satellite market was the fastest-growing market in the European region

The Asia-Pacific Small Satellite Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2030. This is due to increased per capita income in developing nations of the Asia-Pacific region such as China, India, and Vietnam, is expected to aid the small satellite market during the forecast period. Moreover, China’s small satellite market held the largest market share, and the Indian small satellite market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Small Satellite Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are extensively investing in R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the small satellite market, grow even more. Important market developments include new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other firms. Small satellite industry must produce cost-effective products in order to expand and survive in a more competitive and expanding market climate.

Producing locally to reduce operational costs is one of the primary business strategies employed by manufacturers in the worldwide small satellite industry to benefit clients and expand the market sector. In recent years, the small satellite industry has provided some of the most significant benefits to medical. Major players in the small satellite market, such as Indian Space Research Organization (India), Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (US), Eurockot Launch Services GmbH (Germany), and others, provide the framework for the growth of the satellite communications sector, as well as a focus on space telecommunications and research.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is a California-based American spacecraft builder, launcher, and satellite communications company. Elon Musk launched it in 2002 with the declared purpose of lowering space transportation costs to enable Martian settlement. The Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, as well as various rocket engines, Cargo Dragon and Crew Dragon spacecraft, and Starlink communications satellites, are all manufactured by the business. In November 2021, SpaceX has announced the successful deployment of 53 Starlink satellites in the launch of the broadband constellation. Falcon 9 was used to launch the satellites. Around 1,800 Starlink satellites have been launched by the corporation for  coverage of satellite internet services.

Virgin Orbit is a subsidiary of the Virgin Group that provides small satellite launch services. On January 17, 2021, their LauncherOne rocket successfully launched 10 cubesats into orbit for the first time. In mid-March 2023, the company laid off nearly all of its staff and halted operations while it sought finance. The business was founded in 2017 to construct the air-launched Launcher One rocket, which would be launched from a modified Boeing 747 dubbed Cosmic Girl; this combination had previously been a Virgin Galactic project. In July, 2021, The Netherlands successfully launched its first military satellite. Virgin Orbit launched BRIK II, a nanosatellite, into orbit around the Earth. BRIK II is an experimental project of the Royal Netherlands Air Force that marks the country's military's foray into space.

Key Companies in the small satellite market include

• Northrop Grumman Corporation (US)


• Arca Space Corporation (US)


• Lockheed Martin Corporation (US)


• Boeing (US)


• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (Japan)


• Blue Origin (US)


• Indian Space Research Organization (India)


• Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (US)


• Eurockot Launch Services GmbH (Germany)


• Bristol Airspace (UK)


• Kelly Space & Technology Inc(US)


• Virgin Orbit (US)


• E-Prime Aerospace (US)


• Scaled Composites LLC (US)

Small Satellite Market Segmentation

Small Satellite Payload Outlook

• LEO


• MEO


• GEO


• Beyond GEO

Small Satellite Launch Platform Outlook

• Land


• Air


• Sea

Small Satellite Market Launch Vehicle Size Outlook

• Small Lift Launch Vehicles


• Medium-to-Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles

Small Satellite Market End User Models Outlook

• Commercial


• Satellite Service Providers


• Private Companies


• Military & Government


• Defense Organizations


• Space Agencies

Small Satellite Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America
  
  
  
  

Small Satellite Industry Developments

For Instance, In March 2019, A new generation of space technology was unveiled by Lockheed Martin, enabling satellites to alter their missions while in orbit. A new architecture makes this possible by enabling users to assign new missions and increase capabilities via a software push, much like installing an app on a smartphone.

For instance, In April 2020, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (US) awarded Lockheed Martin a USD 5.8 million contract to launch a constellation of 20 tiny satellites to show that a low Earth orbit system is capable of delivering worldwide high-speed communications.

For instance, In January 2022,Virgin Orbit successfully launched seven CubeSats for three customers into orbit on the third consecutive successful operational flight of their LauncherOne air-launch system. SatRevolution, a Polish smallsat developer, supplied two of the satellites. Spire  produced one satellite to measure the orbital debris environment in collaboration with the Austrian Space Forum and Findus Venture GmbH. The remaining four satellites were obtained under the Defense Department's Space Test Program.