Europe Satellite Launch Vehicle Market Size
Study Period | 2017 - 2029 | |
Market Size (2024) | USD 0.39 Billion | |
Market Size (2029) | USD 1.01 Billion | |
Largest Share by Orbit Class | LEO | |
CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 20.96 % | |
Largest Share by Country | Russia | |
Major Players |
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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Europe Satellite Launch Vehicle Market Analysis
The Europe Satellite Launch Vehicle Market size is estimated at USD 0.39 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 1.01 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 20.96% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
0.39 Billion
Market Size in 2024 (USD)
1.01 Billion
Market Size in 2029 (USD)
-7.20 %
CAGR (2017-2023)
20.96 %
CAGR (2024-2029)
Largest Market by Launch Vehicle MTOW
51.11 %
value share, Medium, 2022
The demand for medium launch vehicles is fueled by the granting of multi-year contracts by government and commercial end users to launch vehicle manufacturers and launch service providers.
Fastest-Growing Market by Orbit class
24.11 %
Projected CAGR, LEO, 2023-2029
Government initiatives pertaining to LEO satellites and their numerous uses, such as communications, Earth observation, navigation, and military surveillance, will aid in the growth of LEO satellites.
Largest Market by Orbit Class
55.04 %
value share, LEO, 2022
LEO satellites are increasingly being adopted in modern communication technologies as they play an important role in Earth observation applications.
Leading Market Player
50.60 %
market share, ROSCOSMOS, 2022
Roscosmos, also known as Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities, designs and manufactures launch vehicles to deliver various satellites. It is a major supplier for the Russian Ministry of Defense and Military Space Forces (VKS).
Second Leading Market Player
26.53 %
market share, Ariane Group, 2022
Ariane Group is the second-largest player in the market. The company is one of the major contractors of space propulsion systems in the region for different space agencies.
Rising demand for orbital launch systems in Europe
- At launch, a satellite or spacecraft is usually placed into one of many special orbits around the Earth, or it can be launched into an interplanetary journey. Many weather and communication satellites tend to have high Earth orbits farthest from the surface. Satellites in the mean (medium) Earth orbit include navigational and specialized satellites that are designed to monitor a specific area. Most science satellites, including ESA's Earth Observation System team, are in low Earth orbit
- Light launchers differ from conventional heavy launchers in the vehicle's performance, which depends on the amount of payload the vehicle can lift to a particular orbit and the launch cost. With the expansion of the capabilities of small satellites, the space industry is developing strategic utility, which, in turn, leverages various stakeholders, including governments, space agencies, and private companies, to expand. Small satellite launchers are expected to be the future of the next generation. These types of launchers are essential for launching satellites, carrying out science missions, and resupplying the International Space Station. The increasing number of satellites being launched into orbit due to increased space activities is driving the demand for medium-range launch vehicles.
- In October 2022, the European Space Agency planned to test new navigation satellites that would orbit much closer to Earth than existing ones to provide more accurate position data for everyday devices. The Global Positioning Satellite System is typically placed in mid-Earth orbit about (10,000 to 20,000 km) from the Earth's surface. During 2017-2022, a total of 590+ satellites were launched in the region. The market is expected to witness a growth of 210% during the forecast period between 2023 and 2029.
There is a rising demand for low-cost launch systems aiding the market growth in the region
- The launch equipment industry is the second-largest space manufacturing activity in Europe after the development of commercial satellites, which is aiding the growth of the European market. Ariane 5, Soyuz, and Vega take off from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana. Europe benefits from this line of launchers with the ability and flexibility to meet all the needs of the European government and most of the commercial market, thereby increasing its socioeconomic benefits and access to space in Europe
- The European satellite launch vehicles market is characterized by the presence of several players. The major launch vehicles in this region are Ariane 5, Soyuz, and Vega, among others. Space organizations like EASA have partnered with private players like SpaceX in the production and launch of satellites in the field.
- The satellite launch vehicle industry is driven by demand for satellites for applications ranging from military surveillance, communications, and navigation to Earth observation. As a result, the demand for satellites from the civilian/government, commercial and military sectors is increasing. On this basis, during the period 2017-2022, a total of more than 570+ satellites were launched in the region. The growth in the number of satellites launched from 2020 to 2021 is 140% after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In terms of the number of satellites operated by a country, the United Kingdom leads with more than 462 satellites launched between 2017 and 2022, followed by Russia and Germany with 65 and 34, respectively. Space agencies and private companies have tried to reduce the cost of satellite launch systems in recent years. Between 2023 and 2029, the market is expected to surge by 213% during the forecast period.
Europe Satellite Launch Vehicle Market Trends
Growing demand and competition in the European launch vehicle market
- European launch vehicles are known for their versatility, capable of launching a wide range of payloads into various orbits. A key factor driving the demand for European launch vehicles is the growing commercial space industry. As more and more companies seek to launch satellites and other space-based assets into orbit, they are turning to European launch vehicles as a reliable and cost-effective solution. European launch companies are investing in new technologies, such as reusable launch vehicles, electric propulsion systems, and artificial intelligence, to improve their launch capabilities and stay competitive in the market. For example, ArianeGroup is developing the Ariane Next reusable rocket, and Airbus is developing the Adeline concept, which involves a reusable first stage for the Ariane rocket.
- Additionally, the demand for small satellite launches is increasing, which is driving the development of smaller launch vehicles by European companies. For example, PLD Space is developing the Miura 1 and Miura 5 rockets for small satellite launches, while Isar Aerospace is developing the Spectrum rocket for the same purpose. There is a growing trend toward international collaboration in the space industry, with European launch vehicle manufacturers partnering with companies and organizations across the world. This is driven by the increasing complexity of space missions, as well as the need to share resources and expertise. On this note, Arianespace has partnerships with the European Space Agency and the French Space Agency, and PLD Space is working with the European Space Agency and the Spanish government.
Increasing investment opportunities in the European satellite launch vehicle market is the driver
- European countries are recognizing the importance of various investments in the space domain. They are increasing their spending on various space programs to stay competitive and innovative in the global space industry. In November 2022, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced that it requested its 22 nations to back a budget of EUR 18.5 billion for 2023-2025. Europe plans to launch the first Ariane 6 rocket, its next-generation space launcher, in the fourth quarter of 2023. Developed at a cost of just under USD 3.9 billion and originally set for an inaugural launch in July 2020, the project has been hit by a series of delays. The governments of France, Germany, and Italy announced that they had signed an agreement on "the future of launcher exploitation in Europe" to enhance the competitiveness of European vehicles while also ensuring independent European access to space.
- In September 2022, the French government announced that it is planning to allocate more than USD 9 billion to space activities, an increase of about 25% over the past three years. In November 2022, Germany announced that about EUR 2.37 billion was allocated for various space-related projects. The country mentioned that from the end of 2023, Ariane 6 is expected to be the new European launcher to carry payloads into space. Germany is contributing a total of EUR 162 million to the further development of Ariane 6 and its market introduction. The country is investing around EUR 52 million in the optional LEAP (Launchers Exploitation Accompaniment) program, which also includes the operation of DLR's test facility for rocket engines in Lampoldshausen.
OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- The demand for satellite miniaturization is the driver in Europe
Europe Satellite Launch Vehicle Industry Overview
The Europe Satellite Launch Vehicle Market is fairly consolidated, with the top five companies occupying 99.01%. The major players in this market are Ariane Group, Avio, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and ROSCOSMOS (sorted alphabetically).
Europe Satellite Launch Vehicle Market Leaders
Ariane Group
Avio
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
ROSCOSMOS
Other important companies include Blue Origin, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Rocket Lab USA, Inc., Space Exploration Technologies Corp., The Boeing Company, Virgin Orbit.
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in alphabetical order.
Europe Satellite Launch Vehicle Market News
- March 2023: ISRO launched 36 communication satellites of Oneweb aboarding its LVM3 rocket into LEO.
- April 2022: The Long March 3B rocket was launched from the Xichang launch base with the Chinasat 6D, or Zhongxing 6D, communications satellite.
- March 2022: Boeing and MT Aerospace AG, which is a subsidiary of OHB SE, have signed a contract to supply structural components for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS)
Free with this Report
We offer a comprehensive set of global and local metrics that illustrate the fundamentals of the satellites industry. Clients can access in-depth market analysis of various satellites and launch vehicles through granular level segmental information supported by a repository of market data, trends, and expert analysis. Data and analysis on satellite launches, satellite mass, application of satellites, spending on space programs, propulsion systems, end users, etc., are available in the form of comprehensive reports as well as excel based data worksheets.
Europe Satellite Launch Vehicle Market Report - Table of Contents
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & KEY FINDINGS
2. REPORT OFFERS
3. INTRODUCTION
- 3.1 Study Assumptions & Market Definition
- 3.2 Scope of the Study
- 3.3 Research Methodology
4. KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS
- 4.1 Satellite Miniaturization
- 4.2 Owner Of Launch Vehicle
- 4.3 Spending On Space Programs
-
4.4 Regulatory Framework
- 4.4.1 France
- 4.4.2 Germany
- 4.4.3 Russia
- 4.4.4 United Kingdom
- 4.5 Value Chain & Distribution Channel Analysis
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION (includes market size in Value in USD, Forecasts up to 2029 and analysis of growth prospects)
-
5.1 Orbit Class
- 5.1.1 GEO
- 5.1.2 LEO
- 5.1.3 MEO
-
5.2 Launch Vehicle Mtow
- 5.2.1 Heavy
- 5.2.2 Inter Planetary
- 5.2.3 Light
- 5.2.4 Medium
-
5.3 Country
- 5.3.1 Russia
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Key Strategic Moves
- 6.2 Market Share Analysis
- 6.3 Company Landscape
-
6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global Level Overview, Market Level Overview, Core Business Segments, Financials, Headcount, Key Information, Market Rank, Market Share, Products and Services, and Analysis of Recent Developments).
- 6.4.1 Ariane Group
- 6.4.2 Avio
- 6.4.3 Blue Origin
- 6.4.4 China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
- 6.4.5 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- 6.4.6 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
- 6.4.7 Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
- 6.4.8 ROSCOSMOS
- 6.4.9 Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
- 6.4.10 The Boeing Company
- 6.4.11 Virgin Orbit
7. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR SATELLITE CEOS
8. APPENDIX
-
8.1 Global Overview
- 8.1.1 Overview
- 8.1.2 Porter's Five Forces Framework
- 8.1.3 Global Value Chain Analysis
- 8.1.4 Market Dynamics (DROs)
- 8.2 Sources & References
- 8.3 List of Tables & Figures
- 8.4 Primary Insights
- 8.5 Data Pack
- 8.6 Glossary of Terms
List of Tables & Figures
- Figure 1:
- MINIATURE SATELLITES (BELOW 10KG), NUMBER OF LAUNCHES, EUROPE, 2017 - 2022
- Figure 2:
- SPENDING ON SPACE PROGRAMS BY REGION, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2022
- Figure 3:
- EUROPE SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE MARKET, VALUE, USD, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 4:
- VALUE OF LAUNCH VEHICLE MARKET BY ORBIT CLASS, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 5:
- VALUE SHARE OF LAUNCH VEHICLE MARKET BY ORBIT CLASS, %, EUROPE, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
- Figure 6:
- VALUE OF GEO MARKET, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 7:
- VALUE OF LEO MARKET, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 8:
- VALUE OF MEO MARKET, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 9:
- VALUE OF LAUNCH VEHICLE MARKET BY LAUNCH VEHICLE MTOW, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 10:
- VALUE SHARE OF LAUNCH VEHICLE MARKET BY LAUNCH VEHICLE MTOW, %, EUROPE, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
- Figure 11:
- VALUE OF HEAVY MARKET, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 12:
- VALUE OF INTER PLANETARY MARKET, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 13:
- VALUE OF LIGHT MARKET, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 14:
- VALUE OF MEDIUM MARKET, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 15:
- VALUE OF LAUNCH VEHICLE MARKET BY COUNTRY, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 16:
- VALUE SHARE OF LAUNCH VEHICLE MARKET BY COUNTRY, %, EUROPE, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
- Figure 17:
- VALUE OF LAUNCH VEHICLE MARKET, USD, RUSSIA, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 18:
- NUMBER OF STRATEGIC MOVES OF MOST ACTIVE COMPANIES, EUROPE SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE MARKET, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 19:
- TOTAL NUMBER OF STRATEGIC MOVES OF COMPANIES, EUROPE SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE MARKET, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 20:
- MARKET SHARE OF EUROPE SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE MARKET, %, EUROPE, 2022
Europe Satellite Launch Vehicle Industry Segmentation
GEO, LEO, MEO are covered as segments by Orbit Class. Heavy, Inter Planetary, Light, Medium are covered as segments by Launch Vehicle Mtow. Russia are covered as segments by Country.
- At launch, a satellite or spacecraft is usually placed into one of many special orbits around the Earth, or it can be launched into an interplanetary journey. Many weather and communication satellites tend to have high Earth orbits farthest from the surface. Satellites in the mean (medium) Earth orbit include navigational and specialized satellites that are designed to monitor a specific area. Most science satellites, including ESA's Earth Observation System team, are in low Earth orbit
- Light launchers differ from conventional heavy launchers in the vehicle's performance, which depends on the amount of payload the vehicle can lift to a particular orbit and the launch cost. With the expansion of the capabilities of small satellites, the space industry is developing strategic utility, which, in turn, leverages various stakeholders, including governments, space agencies, and private companies, to expand. Small satellite launchers are expected to be the future of the next generation. These types of launchers are essential for launching satellites, carrying out science missions, and resupplying the International Space Station. The increasing number of satellites being launched into orbit due to increased space activities is driving the demand for medium-range launch vehicles.
- In October 2022, the European Space Agency planned to test new navigation satellites that would orbit much closer to Earth than existing ones to provide more accurate position data for everyday devices. The Global Positioning Satellite System is typically placed in mid-Earth orbit about (10,000 to 20,000 km) from the Earth's surface. During 2017-2022, a total of 590+ satellites were launched in the region. The market is expected to witness a growth of 210% during the forecast period between 2023 and 2029.
Orbit Class | GEO |
LEO | |
MEO | |
Launch Vehicle Mtow | Heavy |
Inter Planetary | |
Light | |
Medium | |
Country | Russia |
Market Definition
- Application - Various applications or purposes of the satellites are classified into communication, earth observation, space observation, navigation, and others. The purposes listed are those self-reported by the satellite’s operator.
- End User - The primary users or end users of the satellite is described as civil (academic, amateur), commercial, government (meteorological, scientific, etc.), military. Satellites can be multi-use, for both commercial and military applications.
- Launch Vehicle MTOW - The launch vehicle MTOW (maximum take-off weight) means the maximum weight of the launch vehicle during take-off, including the weight of payload, equipment and fuel.
- Orbit Class - The satellite orbits are divided into three broad classes namely GEO, LEO, and MEO. Satellites in elliptical orbits have apogees and perigees that differ significantly from each other and categorized satellite orbits with eccentricity 0.14 and higher as elliptical.
- Propulsion tech - Under this segment, different types of satellite propulsion systems have been classified as electric, liquid-fuel and gas-based propulsion systems.
- Satellite Mass - Under this segment, different types of satellite propulsion systems have been classified as electric, liquid-fuel and gas-based propulsion systems.
- Satellite Subsystem - All the components and subsystems which includes propellants, buses, solar panels, other hardware of satellites are included under this segment.
Keyword | Definition |
---|---|
Attitude Control | The orientation of the satellite relative to the Earth and the sun. |
INTELSAT | The International Telecommunications Satellite Organization operates a network of satellites for international transmission. |
Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) | Geostationary satellites in Earth orbit 35,786 km (22,282 mi) above the equator in the same direction and at the same speed as the earth rotates on its axis, making them appear fixed in the sky. |
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) | Low Earth Orbit satellites orbit from 160-2000km above the earth, take approximately 1.5 hours for a full orbit and only cover a portion of the earth’s surface. |
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) | MEO satellites are located above LEO and below GEO satellites and typically travel in an elliptical orbit over the North and South Pole or in an equatorial orbit. |
Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) | Very Small Aperture Terminal is an antenna that is typically less than 3 meters in diameter |
CubeSat | CubeSat is a class of miniature satellites based on a form factor consisting of 10 cm cubes. CubeSats weigh no more than 2 kg per unit and typically use commercially available components for their construction and electronics. |
Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs) | Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a three-stage Launch Vehicle configured with three Solid Propulsion Stages and a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal stage |
Space Mining | Asteroid mining is the hypothesis of extracting material from asteroids and other asteroids, including near-Earth objects. |
Nano Satellites | Nanosatellites are loosely defined as any satellite weighing less than 10 kilograms. |
Automatic Identification System (AIS) | Automatic identification system (AIS) is an automatic tracking system used to identify and locate ships by exchanging electronic data with other nearby ships, AIS base stations, and satellites. Satellite AIS (S-AIS) is the term used to describe when a satellite is used to detect AIS signatures. |
Reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) | Reusable launch vehicle (RLV) means a launch vehicle that is designed to return to Earth substantially intact and therefore may be launched more than one time or that contains vehicle stages that may be recovered by a launch operator for future use in the operation of a substantially similar launch vehicle. |
Apogee | The point in an elliptical satellite orbit which is farthest from the surface of the earth. Geosynchronous satellites which maintain circular orbits around the earth are first launched into highly elliptical orbits with apogees of 22,237 miles. |
Research Methodology
Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.
- Step-1: Identify Key Variables: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step-1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
- Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the historical and forecast years have been provided in revenue and volume terms. For sales conversion to volume, the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period for each country, and inflation is not a part of the pricing.
- Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
- Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms.