Satellite Manufacturing & Launch Markets Finding a New Normal in $250B Opportunity

by | May 17, 2018

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.- NSR's Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Services, 8th Edition report, released today, finds that despite a slow 2017, across the board, the global satellite manufacturing and launch market is poised to generate in excess of $250B in the next decade.  As both commercial and government players begin deploying constellations, turning to smallsats to provide more flexibility across a system, and leveraging more advanced flexible and exquisite payloads, the requirements placed on manufacturers and launch service providers enabling these next generation systems will change.

Communications remains the global market driver, though it is diversifying from GEO-only to a blend of GEO and non-GEO as operators deploy new assets and seek to create more integrated systems capable of seamlessly addressing customer demand, commented Carolyn Belle, NSR Senior Analyst and report author. Yet commercial hesitancy to commit to new communications assets and new CAPEX, compounded by a natural lull in government system development, made 2017 a challenging year for satellite manufacturers. The market will improve in 2018 and 2019 before adjusting to a level of annual GEO orders lower than historic averages, plus additional non-GEO contracts, noted Belle. Situational awareness and technology development have received a renewed focus and will play an increasingly vital role in the market moving forward, built on escalating government activity and commercial players emerging for the first time.

North America led the market in 2017 and is expected to continue as the global hub of activity, due to both ongoing government demand for high value satellites as well as a robust commercial market. Activity across Asia is closing this gap, however, with China, India, and Japan placing a greater emphasis on competition and capabilities in the space domain. Alongside heightened geopolitical tensions and the perception of new threats to space assets, defense and intelligence spending on space is set to increase around the globe.

In a world more reliant than ever on ubiquitous connectivity and data big and small, demand for satellites is not going away “ but manufacturers and launch service providers must creatively address requirements to capture the opportunity.  

About the Report
As both military and commercial satellite operators broaden their concept of operations to include multiple payloads, orbits, and service models, manufacturers and launch service providers are challenged to deliver compelling, innovative solutions that address and anticipate operator requirements. The Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Services, 8th Edition report provides must-have information for the backbone of the satellite industry, providing a critical view into historic trends, evolving requirements, and upcoming demand and revenue for satellite manufacturing and launch services across all user types, applications, and regions.  For additional information on this NSR offering, including a full table of contents, list of exhibits and executive summary, please visit www.nsr.com  or call NSR at +1-617-674-7743.

About NSR
NSR is the leading global market research and consulting firm focused on the satellite and space sectors. NSR's global team, unparalleled coverage and anticipation of trends with a higher degree of confidence and precision than the competition is the cornerstone of all NSR offerings. First to market coverage and a transparent, dependable approach sets NSR apart as the key provider of critical insight to the satellite and space industries. Contact us at [email protected] to discuss how we can assist your business.

Kristen Kloster
[email protected]

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