Satellite Communications Market Size
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Study Period | 2017 - 2029 |
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Market Size (2024) | USD 193.30 Billion |
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Market Size (2029) | USD 297.25 Billion |
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Largest Share by Orbit Class | LEO |
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CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 8.99 % |
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Largest Share by Region | North America |
Major Players |
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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Satellite Communications Market Analysis
The Satellite Communications Market size is estimated at USD 193.30 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 297.25 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 8.99% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
193.30 Billion
Market Size in 2024 (USD)
297.25 Billion
Market Size in 2029 (USD)
15.35 %
CAGR (2017-2023)
8.99 %
CAGR (2024-2029)
Largest Market by Satellite Mass
80.32 %
value share, 100-500kg, 2022
Minisatellites with expanded capacity for enterprise data (retail and banking), oil, gas, and mining, and governments in developed countries pose high demand. The demand for minisatellites with a LEO is increasing due to their expanded capacity.
Fastest-Growing Market by Orbit class
13.91 %
Projected CAGR, GEO, 2023-2029
The increasing demand from governments for military applications is one of the major factors driving the demand for GEO satellites.
Largest Market by Orbit Class
85.79 %
value share, LEO, 2022
LEO satellites are increasingly being adopted in modern communication technologies. These satellites serve an important role in Earth observation applications.
Largest Market by region
77.67 %
value share, North America, 2022
The increasing investment in satellite equipment to enhance the defense and surveillance capabilities, critical infrastructure, and law enforcement agencies using satellite systems are expected to drive the LEO satellite market in the North American region.
Leading Market Player
74.82 %
market share, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., 2022
SpaceX is the leading player in the global satellite communication market. The company maintains its market share globally through its Starlink project in over 53 countries, and it produces 120 satellites per month.
LEO satellites are expected to comprise the leading segment
- 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. There are three types of Earth orbits: geostationary orbit (GEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and low Earth orbit (LEO). Many weather and communications satellites tend to have high Earth orbits, which are farthest from the surface. Satellites in medium Earth orbit include navigational and specialized satellites designed to monitor a specific area. Most science satellites, including NASA's Earth Observation System, are in low Earth orbit.
- The rapid development of small satellites and their deployment in low Earth orbit because of their added advantages are driving the growth of the LEO segment. During 2017-2019, the majority share of the market was occupied by GEO satellites. In 2020, LEO satellites gained momentum, and they are expected to continue their growth trajectory during the forecast period as well. The LEO segment is expected to occupy a market share of 79.5% in 2029, followed by GEO, with a share of 18%.
- The different satellites manufactured and launched have different applications. During 2017-2022, of the 57 satellites launched in MEO, eight were built for communication purposes. Similarly, of the 147 satellites in GEO, 105 were deployed for communication purposes. Around 4,131 LEO satellites manufactured and launched were owned by various organizations across the world. Of that, nearly 2,976 satellites were designed for communication purposes.
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Rising demand for communication application is driving the demand in the market globally
- The satellite communications market is a global industry that provides critical infrastructure for various sectors, including telecommunications, military and defence, and broadcasting. Regarding satellite launches, during 2017-2022, approximately 80% of the communication satellites were manufactured and launched by North America, followed by Europe with 15%, China with 3%, and the rest with 2%, respectively.
- North America has a strong military and defence sector that invests heavily in satellite technology, and the commercial sector is also significant, with companies like SpaceX, MDA, HughesNet, and Telesat operating large fleets of satellites for broadband internet, TV broadcasting, and other services.
- Europe is another significant player in the global satellite communications market, and it is home to several leading satellite manufacturers, including Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space. The European Space Agency (ESA) invests heavily in space technology to support national security and defence initiatives. The commercial satellite communications market is also significant, with companies like Eutelsat and SES operating large fleets of satellites for communication, broadcasting, and other services.
- The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the fastest-growing market for satellite communications, driven by increasing demand for high-speed data transmission and rising investments in satellite technology. China and India are two of the largest markets in the region, with both countries investing heavily in space technology to support national security and defence initiatives and drive economic growth.
Global Satellite Communications Market Trends
The global demand for satellite miniaturization is rising
- The ability of small satellites to perform nearly all of the functions of a traditional satellite at a fraction of its cost has increased the viability of building, launching, and operating small satellite constellations. The demand from North America is primarily driven by the United States, which manufactures the most small satellites each year. In North America, during 2017-2022, a total of 596 nanosatellites were placed in orbit by various players in the region. NASA is currently involved in several projects aimed at developing these satellites.
- Europe has become the hub for nano and microsatellite manufacturing due to the presence of several prominent satellite manufacturing entities in the region, including Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd and GomSpace Group AB. In November 2018, ESA announced its participation in designing a low-cost 35 kg lunar communications satellite mission called DoT-4, which was targeted for a 2021 launch. DoT-4 was designed to provide the communications relay back to Earth using the Goonhilly Deep Space Network and link up with a rover on the surface of the Moon.
- The demand from Asia-Pacific is primarily driven by China, Japan, and India, which manufacture the largest number of small satellites annually. During 2017-2022, more than 190 nano and microsatellites were placed into orbit by various players in the region. China is investing significant resources in augmenting its space-based capabilities. The country has launched the most significant number of nano and microsatellites in Asia-Pacific to date.
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Investment opportunities are increasing in the market
- Government expenditure for space programs in North America reached approximately 37 billion in 2021. The region is the epicenter of space innovation and research, with the presence of the world's biggest space agency, NASA. In 2022, the US government spent nearly USD 62 billion on its space programs, making it the highest spender on space programs in the world. In the United States, federal agencies receive funding of USD 32.33 billion from Congress every year, known as budgetary resources, for their subsidiaries.
- The UK government has planned an upgradation, worth USD 7.5 billion, of the satellite telecommunication capabilities of the armed forces. In July 2020, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded a contract worth USD 630 million to Airbus Defence and Space for constructing a new telecommunications satellite as a stopgap to bolster military capabilities. In November 2022, ESA announced that it proposed a 25% boost in space funding over the next three years to maintain Europe's lead in Earth observation, expand navigation services, and remain a partner in exploration with the United States. ESA asked its 22 nations to back a budget of around EUR 18.5 billion for 2023-2025.
- Considering the increase in space-related activities in the Asia-Pacific region, in 2022, according to the draft budget of Japan, the space budget amounted to over USD 1.4 billion, which included the development of the H3 rocket, Engineering Test Satellite-9, and the nation's Information Gathering Satellite (IGS) program. The proposed budget for India's space programs for FY22 was USD 1.83 billion. In 2022, South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT announced a space budget of USD 619 million for manufacturing satellites, rockets, and other key space equipment.
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OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Small satellites are poised to create demand in the market
Satellite Communications Industry Overview
The Satellite Communications Market is fairly consolidated, with the top five companies occupying 98.46%. The major players in this market are Airbus SE, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Maxar Technologies Inc., Space Exploration Technologies Corp. and Thales (sorted alphabetically).
Satellite Communications Market Leaders
Airbus SE
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
Maxar Technologies Inc.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
Thales
Other important companies include Cobham Limited, EchoStar Corporation, Intelsat, L3Harris Technologies Inc., SES S.A., SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Swarm Technologies, Inc., Thuraya Telecommunications Company, Viasat, Inc..
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in alphabetical order.
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Satellite Communications Market News
- February 2023: Anuvu, a provider of high-speed connectivity solutions has signed an agreement with Telesat for new antennas and ground-station infrastructure to support the development of the Anuvu Constellation.
- February 2023: SES, in partnership with ThinKom and Hughes, has introduced a revolutionary high-performance multi-orbit service capable of supporting multiple solutions for government aerial missions. Open Architecture ThinKom ThinAir Ka2517 aerial satcom terminal has been successfully demonstrated on SES's Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary (GEO) satellite networks
- January 2023: Satellite communications provider Viasat has been awarded a contract by the United States Marine Corps to provide end-to-end satellite communications support, extending the agreement under which it provides satellite communications solutions under managed services.
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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.
Satellite Communications 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 Satellite Mass
- 4.3 Spending On Space Programs
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4.4 Regulatory Framework
- 4.4.1 Global
- 4.4.2 Australia
- 4.4.3 Brazil
- 4.4.4 Canada
- 4.4.5 China
- 4.4.6 France
- 4.4.7 Germany
- 4.4.8 India
- 4.4.9 Iran
- 4.4.10 Japan
- 4.4.11 New Zealand
- 4.4.12 Russia
- 4.4.13 Singapore
- 4.4.14 South Korea
- 4.4.15 United Arab Emirates
- 4.4.16 United Kingdom
- 4.4.17 United States
- 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)
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5.1 Satellite Mass
- 5.1.1 10-100kg
- 5.1.2 100-500kg
- 5.1.3 500-1000kg
- 5.1.4 Below 10 Kg
- 5.1.5 above 1000kg
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5.2 Orbit Class
- 5.2.1 GEO
- 5.2.2 LEO
- 5.2.3 MEO
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5.3 Communication Type
- 5.3.1 Broadcasting
- 5.3.2 Mobile Communication
- 5.3.3 Satellite Phone
- 5.3.4 Others
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5.4 End User
- 5.4.1 Commercial
- 5.4.2 Military & Government
- 5.4.3 Other
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5.5 Region
- 5.5.1 Asia-Pacific
- 5.5.2 Europe
- 5.5.3 North America
- 5.5.4 Rest of World
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Key Strategic Moves
- 6.2 Market Share Analysis
- 6.3 Company Landscape
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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 Airbus SE
- 6.4.2 China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
- 6.4.3 Cobham Limited
- 6.4.4 EchoStar Corporation
- 6.4.5 Intelsat
- 6.4.6 L3Harris Technologies Inc.
- 6.4.7 Maxar Technologies Inc.
- 6.4.8 SES S.A.
- 6.4.9 SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation
- 6.4.10 Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
- 6.4.11 Swarm Technologies, Inc.
- 6.4.12 Thales
- 6.4.13 Thuraya Telecommunications Company
- 6.4.14 Viasat, Inc.
7. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR SATELLITE CEOS
8. APPENDIX
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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, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2022
- Figure 2:
- SATELLITE MASS (ABOVE 10KG) GLOBALLY, NUMBER OF SATELLITES LAUNCHED, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2022
- Figure 3:
- SPENDING ON SPACE PROGRAMS GLOBALLY, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2022
- Figure 4:
- GLOBAL SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET, VALUE, USD, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 5:
- VALUE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET BY SATELLITE MASS, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 6:
- VALUE SHARE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET BY SATELLITE MASS, %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
- Figure 7:
- VALUE OF 10-100KG MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 8:
- VALUE OF 100-500KG MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 9:
- VALUE OF 500-1000KG MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 10:
- VALUE OF BELOW 10 KG MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 11:
- VALUE OF ABOVE 1000KG MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 12:
- VALUE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET BY ORBIT CLASS, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 13:
- VALUE SHARE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET BY ORBIT CLASS, %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
- Figure 14:
- VALUE OF GEO MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 15:
- VALUE OF LEO MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 16:
- VALUE OF MEO MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 17:
- VALUE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET BY COMMUNICATION TYPE, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 18:
- VALUE SHARE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET BY COMMUNICATION TYPE, %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
- Figure 19:
- VALUE OF BROADCASTING MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 20:
- VALUE OF MOBILE COMMUNICATION MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 21:
- VALUE OF SATELLITE PHONE MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 22:
- VALUE OF OTHERS MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 23:
- VALUE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET BY END USER, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 24:
- VALUE SHARE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET BY END USER, %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
- Figure 25:
- VALUE OF COMMERCIAL MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 26:
- VALUE OF MILITARY & GOVERNMENT MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 27:
- VALUE OF OTHER MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 28:
- VALUE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET BY REGION, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 29:
- VALUE SHARE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET BY REGION, %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
- Figure 30:
- VALUE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET, USD, ASIA-PACIFIC, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 31:
- VALUE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 32:
- VALUE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET, USD, NORTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 33:
- VALUE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET, USD, REST OF WORLD, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 34:
- NUMBER OF STRATEGIC MOVES OF MOST ACTIVE COMPANIES, GLOBAL SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET, ALL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 35:
- TOTAL NUMBER OF STRATEGIC MOVES OF COMPANIES, GLOBAL SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET, ALL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 36:
- MARKET SHARE OF GLOBAL SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET, %, ALL, 2022
Satellite Communications Industry Segmentation
10-100kg, 100-500kg, 500-1000kg, Below 10 Kg, above 1000kg are covered as segments by Satellite Mass. GEO, LEO, MEO are covered as segments by Orbit Class. Broadcasting, Mobile Communication, Satellite Phone, Others are covered as segments by Communication Type. Commercial, Military & Government are covered as segments by End User. Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America are covered as segments by Region.
- 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. There are three types of Earth orbits: geostationary orbit (GEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and low Earth orbit (LEO). Many weather and communications satellites tend to have high Earth orbits, which are farthest from the surface. Satellites in medium Earth orbit include navigational and specialized satellites designed to monitor a specific area. Most science satellites, including NASA's Earth Observation System, are in low Earth orbit.
- The rapid development of small satellites and their deployment in low Earth orbit because of their added advantages are driving the growth of the LEO segment. During 2017-2019, the majority share of the market was occupied by GEO satellites. In 2020, LEO satellites gained momentum, and they are expected to continue their growth trajectory during the forecast period as well. The LEO segment is expected to occupy a market share of 79.5% in 2029, followed by GEO, with a share of 18%.
- The different satellites manufactured and launched have different applications. During 2017-2022, of the 57 satellites launched in MEO, eight were built for communication purposes. Similarly, of the 147 satellites in GEO, 105 were deployed for communication purposes. Around 4,131 LEO satellites manufactured and launched were owned by various organizations across the world. Of that, nearly 2,976 satellites were designed for communication purposes.
| Satellite Mass | 10-100kg |
| 100-500kg | |
| 500-1000kg | |
| Below 10 Kg | |
| above 1000kg | |
| Orbit Class | GEO |
| LEO | |
| MEO | |
| Communication Type | Broadcasting |
| Mobile Communication | |
| Satellite Phone | |
| Others | |
| End User | Commercial |
| Military & Government | |
| Other | |
| Region | Asia-Pacific |
| Europe | |
| North America | |
| Rest of World |
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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. |
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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.
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