Remote Sensing Satellite Market Size
Study Period | 2017 - 2029 | |
Market Size (2024) | USD 43.36 Billion | |
Market Size (2029) | USD 76.88 Billion | |
Largest Share by Orbit Class | LEO | |
CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 12.14 % | |
Largest Share by Region | North America | |
Major Players |
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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Remote Sensing Satellite Market Analysis
The Remote Sensing Satellites Market size is estimated at USD 43.36 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 76.88 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 12.14% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
43.36 Billion
Market Size in 2024 (USD)
76.88 Billion
Market Size in 2029 (USD)
10.57 %
CAGR (2017-2023)
12.14 %
CAGR (2024-2029)
Largest Market by Satellite Mass
76.63 %
value share, above 1000kg, 2022
Large satellites register higher demand due to applications such as satellite radio, communications, remote sensing, planetary security, and weather forecasting.
Largest Market by Satellite Subsystem
42.50 %
value share, Propulsion Hardware and Propellant, 2022
The demand for these propulsion systems is driven by the launch of mass satellite constellations into space. They are used for transferring the spacecraft into orbit.
Largest Market by Orbit Class
87.05 %
value share, LEO, 2022
LEO satellites are increasingly being adopted in modern communication technologies as they play an important role in Earth observation applications.
Largest Market by End User
92.71 %
value share, Military & Government, 2022
The military and government segment is expected to grow significantly due to the increasing use of satellites in surveillance missions and the rising involvement of government space agencies in satellite development programs.
Leading Market Player
38.72 %
market share, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), 2022
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the largest player in the market. It offers a diverse range of launch vehicles and adopts a competitive pricing strategy to attract customers globally.
Demand for LEO satellites is driving the market and registers a share of 79.5% in 2029
- Various remote sensing satellites orbit the Earth at varying distances depending on their design and primary purpose. These satellites are launched or placed into different orbits according to their purposes/applications. Each satellite deployed into orbit has its own benefits and challenges, which include increased coverage and decreased energy efficiency.
- Around 90% of the remote sensing satellites launched between 2017 and 2022* were placed in low Earth orbit for Earth observation and science, among other applications. This is because of the close proximity of this orbit to the Earth, which helps send spatial high-resolution images without any latency. Therefore, with the increased benefits of this orbit, the demand for these satellites to be deployed in the LEO orbit is expected to rise during the forecast period. Similarly, during 2017-2022, of the 56 satellites launched in the MEO orbit, 46 were built for Navigation/Global Positioning purposes. Of the 147 satellites in the GEO orbit, 105 satellites have been deployed for communication applications.
- The increasing use of remote sensing satellites for purposes such as electronic intelligence, Earth science/meteorology, laser imaging, optical imaging, and meteorology is expected to drive the demand for the remote sensing satellites market during the forecast period.
Asia-Pacific is expected to witness highest growth during the forecast period
- The global remote sensing satellite market is expected to grow significantly over the coming years, driven by increasing demand for high-speed internet, communication services, and data transfer across different industries. North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are the major regions in terms of market share and revenue generation. During 2017-2022, a total of 147 remote sensing satellites were manufactured and launched.
- North America is expected to dominate the global remote sensing satellite market due to the presence of several leading market players, such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, in the region. The US government is also investing heavily in the development of advanced satellite technology, which is expected to drive the growth of the market in North America. During 2017-2022, the region accounted for 30% of the total remote sensing satellites manufactured.
- The remote sensing satellite market in Europe is expected to grow significantly due to the increasing demand for high-speed internet and communication services. The European Space Agency (ESA) has been investing heavily in the development of advanced satellite technology, which is expected to drive the growth of the market in the region. During 2017-2022, the region accounted for 11% of the total remote sensing satellites manufactured.
- Asia-Pacific is expected to witness significant growth in the remote sensing satellite market due to the increasing demand for satellite-based communication services and navigation systems in countries such as China, India, and Japan. During 2017-2022, the region accounted for 59% of the total remote sensing satellites manufactured.
Global Remote Sensing Satellites Market Trends
Rising demand for satellite miniaturization across all regions is driving the market
- The ability of small satellites to perform nearly all the functions of traditional satellites at a fraction of their 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 largest number of small satellites each year. In North America, during 2017-2022, a total of 596 nanosatellites were placed into orbit by various regional players. NASA is also currently involved in several projects aimed at developing these satellites.
- The demand from Europe is primarily driven by Germany, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom, which manufacture the largest number of small satellites each year. During 2017-2022, more than 50 nano and microsatellites were placed into orbit by various regional players. The miniaturization and commercialization of electronic components and systems have driven market participation, resulting in the emergence of new market players who aim to capitalize on and enhance the current market scenario. For instance, UK-based startup Open Cosmos partnered with ESA to provide commercial nanosatellite launch services to end users while ensuring competitive cost savings of around 90%.
- 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 regional players. China is investing significant resources toward augmenting its space-based capabilities. The country has launched the most significant number of nano and microsatellites in Asia-Pacific to date.
Investment opportunities in satellite manufacturing is driving the market
- In North America, global government expenditure for space programs reached a record of approximately USD 103 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 from Congress every year worth USD 32.33 billion for their subsidiaries.
- European countries are recognizing the importance of various investments in the space domain and are increasing their spending on innovative activities to remain competitive in the global space industry. In November 2022, ESA announced that it had proposed a 25% boost in space funding over the next three years designed to maintain Europe's lead in Earth observation, expand navigation services, and remain a partner in space exploration with the United States. The European Space Agency (ESA) is asking its 22 nations to back a budget of some EUR 18.5 billion for 2023-2025. Germany, France, and Italy are the major contributors.
- In line with the increase in space-related activities in the Asia-Pacific region, in 2022, Japan’s draft budget registered a rise in its space budget, which amounted to over USD 1.4 billion. It included the development of the H3 rocket, Engineering Test Satellite-9, and the nation's Information Gathering Satellite (IGS) program. Similarly, the proposed budget for India's space programs for FY22 was USD 1.83 billion. In 2022, the South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT announced a space budget of USD 619 million for manufacturing satellites, rockets, and other key space equipment.
OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Medium And Micro Satellites Poised To Generate Demand In The Market
Remote Sensing Satellite Industry Overview
The Remote Sensing Satellites Market is fairly consolidated, with the top five companies occupying 85.94%. The major players in this market are China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation and ROSCOSMOS (sorted alphabetically).
Remote Sensing Satellite Market Leaders
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Northrop Grumman Corporation
ROSCOSMOS
Other important companies include Airbus SE, Ball Corporation, ESRI, GomSpaceApS, IHI Corporation, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Maxar Technologies Inc., Planet Labs Inc., Spire Global, Inc., Thales.
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in alphabetical order.
Remote Sensing Satellite Market News
- March 2023: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) had scheduled the launch of the first H3 Launch Vehicle with the Advanced Land Observing Satellite "Daichi 3" (ALOS-3) onboard from the Tanegashima Space Center.
- February 2023: NASA and geographic information service provider Esri will grant wider access to the space agency's geospatial content for research and exploration purposes through the Space Act Agreement.
- January 2023: Airbus Defence and Space has signed a contract with Poland to provide a geospatial intelligence system including the development, manufacture, launch and delivery in orbit of two high-performance optical Earth observation satellites.
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.
Remote Sensing Satellite 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 Mass
- 4.2 Satellite Miniaturization
- 4.3 Spending On Space Programs
-
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)
-
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
-
5.2 Orbit Class
- 5.2.1 GEO
- 5.2.2 LEO
- 5.2.3 MEO
-
5.3 Satellite Subsystem
- 5.3.1 Propulsion Hardware and Propellant
- 5.3.2 Satellite Bus & Subsystems
- 5.3.3 Solar Array & Power Hardware
- 5.3.4 Structures, Harness & Mechanisms
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5.4 End User
- 5.4.1 Commercial
- 5.4.2 Military & Government
- 5.4.3 Other
-
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
-
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 Ball Corporation
- 6.4.3 China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
- 6.4.4 ESRI
- 6.4.5 GomSpaceApS
- 6.4.6 IHI Corporation
- 6.4.7 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- 6.4.8 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- 6.4.9 Lockheed Martin Corporation
- 6.4.10 Maxar Technologies Inc.
- 6.4.11 Northrop Grumman Corporation
- 6.4.12 Planet Labs Inc.
- 6.4.13 ROSCOSMOS
- 6.4.14 Spire Global, Inc.
- 6.4.15 Thales
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:
- SATELLITE MASS (ABOVE 10KG) GLOBALLY, NUMBER OF SATELLITES LAUNCHED, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2022
- Figure 2:
- MINIATURE SATELLITES (BELOW 10KG), NUMBER OF LAUNCHES, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2022
- Figure 3:
- SPENDING ON SPACE PROGRAMS GLOBALLY, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2022
- Figure 4:
- GLOBAL REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET, VALUE, USD, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 5:
- VALUE OF REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET BY SATELLITE MASS, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 6:
- VALUE SHARE OF REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES 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 REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET BY ORBIT CLASS, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 13:
- VALUE SHARE OF REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES 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 REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET BY SATELLITE SUBSYSTEM, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 18:
- VALUE SHARE OF REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET BY SATELLITE SUBSYSTEM, %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
- Figure 19:
- VALUE OF PROPULSION HARDWARE AND PROPELLANT MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 20:
- VALUE OF SATELLITE BUS & SUBSYSTEMS MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 21:
- VALUE OF SOLAR ARRAY & POWER HARDWARE MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 22:
- VALUE OF STRUCTURES, HARNESS & MECHANISMS MARKET, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 23:
- VALUE OF REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET BY END USER, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 24:
- VALUE SHARE OF REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES 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 REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET BY REGION, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 29:
- VALUE SHARE OF REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET BY REGION, %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
- Figure 30:
- VALUE OF REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET, USD, ASIA-PACIFIC, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 31:
- VALUE OF REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 32:
- VALUE OF REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET, USD, NORTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 33:
- VALUE OF REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET, USD, REST OF WORLD, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 34:
- NUMBER OF STRATEGIC MOVES OF MOST ACTIVE COMPANIES, GLOBAL REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET, ALL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 35:
- TOTAL NUMBER OF STRATEGIC MOVES OF COMPANIES, GLOBAL REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET, ALL, 2017 - 2029
- Figure 36:
- MARKET SHARE OF GLOBAL REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES MARKET, %, ALL, 2022
Remote Sensing Satellites 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. Propulsion Hardware and Propellant, Satellite Bus & Subsystems, Solar Array & Power Hardware, Structures, Harness & Mechanisms are covered as segments by Satellite Subsystem. Commercial, Military & Government are covered as segments by End User. Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America are covered as segments by Region.
- Various remote sensing satellites orbit the Earth at varying distances depending on their design and primary purpose. These satellites are launched or placed into different orbits according to their purposes/applications. Each satellite deployed into orbit has its own benefits and challenges, which include increased coverage and decreased energy efficiency.
- Around 90% of the remote sensing satellites launched between 2017 and 2022* were placed in low Earth orbit for Earth observation and science, among other applications. This is because of the close proximity of this orbit to the Earth, which helps send spatial high-resolution images without any latency. Therefore, with the increased benefits of this orbit, the demand for these satellites to be deployed in the LEO orbit is expected to rise during the forecast period. Similarly, during 2017-2022, of the 56 satellites launched in the MEO orbit, 46 were built for Navigation/Global Positioning purposes. Of the 147 satellites in the GEO orbit, 105 satellites have been deployed for communication applications.
- The increasing use of remote sensing satellites for purposes such as electronic intelligence, Earth science/meteorology, laser imaging, optical imaging, and meteorology is expected to drive the demand for the remote sensing satellites market during the forecast period.
Satellite Mass | 10-100kg |
100-500kg | |
500-1000kg | |
Below 10 Kg | |
above 1000kg | |
Orbit Class | GEO |
LEO | |
MEO | |
Satellite Subsystem | Propulsion Hardware and Propellant |
Satellite Bus & Subsystems | |
Solar Array & Power Hardware | |
Structures, Harness & Mechanisms | |
End User | Commercial |
Military & Government | |
Other | |
Region | Asia-Pacific |
Europe | |
North America | |
Rest of World |
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.