Global LEO Satellite Market - 2022-2029
Market Overview
The global LEO satellite market size was valued at US$ XX million in 2022 and is estimated to reach US$ XX million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of YY% during the forecast period (2022-2029).
LEO (low earth orbit) satellites are not fixed at the ground; instead, they revolve around the earth and travel in their own orbit. These satellites operate at around 2,000 km above the surface of the earth. LEO satellites are the most common satellites sent into space. Low earth orbit satellites are objects or electronic equipment that move around the earth's orbit at lower altitudes than other satellites.
It orbits between 200- 2000 km above the earth. Most satellites orbiting the earth are low earth orbit satellites due to numerous benefits such as lower cost, providing more details of small objects, better communication and low delay of signal propagation. These satellites are being used highly by military and defense personnel for communication and signal monitoring.
Market Dynamics
The major factors involved in the growth of the global LEO satellite market include the growing global demand for these satellites owing to their advantages over other satellites, increasing technological advancements and rising investments in these satellites.
The rising investment in LEO satellites and rising novel, technologically advanced satellites are expected to drive the market’s growth.
The demand for high-speed and low-cost broadband has increased with rising capacity for the energy sector, enterprise data and governments in developed and industrialized countries. Hence investments are also increasing in these satellites due to the number of applications they are required, such as communication purposes the governments and defense persons use these satellites. They provide proper signals, monitor the earth and are used in various scientific missions.
Furthermore, these satellites are cheaper, easily adaptable, can be used in mass production and are simple to assemble and launch. Due to increasing technological advancements, more latest satellites are being launched. Some are under development that can provide an enhanced number of applications and large satellite data volume, leading to more investments and market growth. Various new launches will drive the market’s growth.
For instance, in January 2021, OHB Cosmos International, a company of OHB, launched its GMS-T telecommunication satellite on board an electron launcher. It was launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex, New Zealand. This is the prototype spacecraft for a novel multi-hundreds telecommunication satellite in LEO. The increasing global investments and advancements are the key drivers for the global LEO satellite market.
Extreme space temperature and government policies associated with LEO Satellites are expected to hamper the market’s growth.
Strict policies and regulations for the launch or re-entry of LEO Satellites are the major factors hindering the growth of the LEO Satellite market. Various requirements must be fulfilled, leading to an increase in the overall cost of these implants.
The extreme temperature and harsh conditions in space can restrain the market’s growth. There is an optimum temperature at which the electronic system inside the satellites will work, so they need to maintain that temperature for proper functioning. These satellites face various conditions and threats such as UV radiations, vacuum, extreme temperature, surface charging orbital debris and thermal cycling; to withstand these extreme situations, construction material should be strong.
COVID-19 Impact Analysis
The pandemic has negatively impacted global financial expectations, operations and crisis response strategy. The COVID-19 outbreak has severely impacted the healthcare industry. The LEO satellite market has experienced huge losses due to COVID. Key manufacturers have started various research and clinical trials. Various initiatives, product launches, collaborations and mergers are happening worldwide, boosting the market’s growth. For instance, in July 2022, Northrop Grumman Corporation will build and deploy a 14 satellites low-earth orbit constellation with infrared sensors for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer (T1TRK) of the Space Development Agency (SDA).
Segment Analysis
The small satellites segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period (2022-2029)
The small satellite is a kind of compact satellite with low mass that is used for data communication, earth observation, signal monitoring, human space flight, logistics & geo-locations and remote sensing. These small ones with a weight of not more than 500 kg are generally used to inspect larger satellites.
Various latest technological innovations, advancements and novel product launches are the leading factors for small satellite high demand and growing research and development. The advantages these small satellites provide over other satellites and increasing developments by major key players will drive the growth of the small satellites market.
For instance, the XVI Leo satellite, a small satellite of Viasat Inc., is the world’s first link 16-enabled LEO satellite developed to provide beyond-the-line-of-sight communications for defense and military operations and missions. This small satellite will have a lifetime of around six months and operate from an orbital inclination of 95 degrees. XVI satellite, in partnership with United States Air Force Research Laboratory, Special Operations Command and Marine Corps, will provide support to multiple demonstrations.
Geographical Analysis
North America holds the largest market share in the global LEO satellite market.
North America is a high-income, developed, an industrialized region that is a major international hub of commerce and trade. The North American government is increasing the expenditure on advancing these LEO satellites to secure surveillance and defense of the armed forces. Various law enforcement agencies and military forces use LEO satellites for geo-location and communication.
The US government is investing in the latest advanced technologies in LEO satellites to enhance satellite communication, earth observation and their quality for properly monitoring signals and logistics. These low earth orbit satellites are being highly used by defense and governments for communication and signal monitoring.
North America also has major providers of these low-orbit satellites, such as Honeywell International Inc., SpaceX, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, L3 Harris Corporation and more.
Other major utilizers of LEO satellites are commercial users and remote industrial businesses in remote areas such as mining, oil and forestry and far away from terrestrial coverage. These individuals can use LEO satellites for voice communication, internet connectivity, monitoring equipment and hardware. Many global companies are based in U.S. and Canada.
Competitive Landscape
The LEO satellite market is highly competitive with local and global companies’ presence. Honeywell International Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation, Airbus SE, SpaceX, Sierra Nevada Corporation, L3 Harris Technologies, OHB SE, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Surrey Satellite Technology and more. The key players are adopting various growth strategies such as product launches, mergers & acquisitions, partnerships and collaborations, contributing to the market’s growth. For instance, in December 2021, Airbus, a satellite communication service provider, announced its partnership agreement with OneWeb to provide communication services with low earth orbit satellites to the government and military. Airbus will now use the OneWeb constellation to provide novel communication services to UK and European armed forces.
Honeywell International Inc.
Overview: Honeywell International Inc. is a manufacturing and technology company that markets technologies for serious energy, security, safety, productivity, air travel and more challenges. Honeywell combines software with physical products to provide energy-efficient and aerospace products, electronic and advanced materials, specialty chemicals and more.
Product Portfolio:
Honeywell/Ball OISL: This optical inter-satellite link communication terminal (OISL) is a small/ compact terminal that will fulfill the needs of low earth orbit mega-constellations. It consists of a transceiver to offer optical to the electrical interface, an optical head unit to provide a space-to-fiber optic interface and to operate the optical head unit controller electronics.
Why Purchase the Report?
• Visualize the composition of the LEO satellite market segmentation by satellite type, frequency band, application, end-user and region, highlighting the critical commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities in the LEO satellite market by analyzing trends and co-development deals.
• Excel data sheet with thousands of global LEO satellite market-level 4/5 segmentation data points.
• PDF report with the most relevant analysis cogently put together after exhaustive qualitative interviews and in-depth market study.
• Product mapping in excel for the critical product of all major market players
The global LEO satellite market report would provide access to approx.: 69 market data table, 67 figures and 200 pages.
Target Audience 2022
• Satellite Producers
• Satellite Launching Companies
• Government
• Space Exploration Companies
• Aerospace Companies
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Education & Research Institutes
• Research Professionals
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