About 410 to 543 nano/microsatellites (1-50 kg) will need to be launched globally in 2020 compared with 92 in 2013, according to SpaceWorks' market analysis.
SpaceWorks Enterprises recently completed a market assessment for the nano and microsatellite market. This report updates a previous assessment for 2017 to 2020, expanding the expected number by three times given the continued and rapid growth of commercial companies in the 1-50 kg satellite market.
SpaceWorks maintains a Satellite Launch Demand Database that has recorded all known and future satellite projects between 0 kg and 10,000+ kg. Projections indicate substantial growth in nano/microsatellite launches, with an estimated range of 410 to 543 nano/microsatellites (1-50 kg) that will launch globally in 2020 (compared with 92 in 2013). The projections indicate that 2,000 to 2,750 nano/microsatellites will be launched from 2014 through 2020.
“Small satellites continue to grow in popularity, as is evident by the sizable number of nano/microsatellites launched in 2013,” stated Elizabeth Buchen, director of SpaceWorks’ Engineering Economics Group. “Our assessment confirms the market is continuing its growth phase, which will remain in the coming years, especially in the commercial sector.
Image courtesy of SpaceWorks Enterprises.
