Nanosatellite and Microsatellite Market Report 2026

The nanosatellite and microsatellite market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $3.51 billion in 2025 to $4.13 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption of low-cost small satellites for earth observation missions, growth in university and research institution satellite programs driving early deployment, advancements in miniaturized onboard computers and power subsystems enabling reliable small-sat operations, rising demand for rapid-deployment communication satellites, expansion of commercial remote sensing applications utilizing nanosatellite and microsatellite constellations.

The nanosatellite and microsatellite market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.6 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing investment in large small-satellite constellations for global connectivity services, increasing demand for enhanced imaging and sensing capabilities in compact satellite platforms, advancement in modular and scalable satellite subsystems improving mission flexibility, rising use of nanosatellites and microsatellites for defense and national security applications, expansion of commercial launch services reducing deployment cost and enabling higher satellite volume. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for low-earth-orbit (leo) remote sensing constellations, growing adoption of miniaturized satellite components for cost-efficient deployment, expansion of commercial launch services for small satellites, rise in academic and research-oriented nanosatellite missions, increasing use of nanosatellites for real-time earth observation data service.

The rise in space exploration missions is significantly contributing to the growth of the nanosatellite and microsatellite market. Space exploration missions involve projects dedicated to exploring regions beyond Earth’s atmosphere using both crewed and uncrewed spacecraft. Nanosatellites and microsatellites are employed for highly specialized functions such as Earth observation, telecommunications, and meteorology. Governments worldwide are expanding their space initiatives, and small satellites are helping them carry out these missions more efficiently. For example, in June 2024, SpaceNews, a US-based organization, reported that in 2023, U.S. manufacturers produced around 85% of commercially procured satellites, with satellite manufacturing revenue increasing by 9% to $17.2 billion due to advancements such as flexible software-defined payloads and cutting-edge small satellites. A record 190 commercially procured launches occurred, representing an 18% rise from 2022. These launches deployed 2,781 commercial satellites, a 20% increase driven largely by SpaceX. Therefore, the growth in space exploration missions is supporting the expansion of the nanosatellite and microsatellite market.

Companies in the nanosatellite and microsatellite market are prioritizing innovative products, such as tiny satellites, to enhance their service offerings and drive revenue growth. Tiny satellites can be built using off-the-shelf technologies and are designed to be lightweight and cost-effective. For instance, in April 2024, Planet Labs, a US-based technology company specializing in satellite imagery and geospatial analytics for environmental and commercial purposes, launched Pelican-1, the inaugural satellite in its next-generation Pelican constellation for high-resolution Earth imaging. This small satellite functions as a technology demonstrator, validating the hardware and software of Planet’s Smallsat Platform. The Pelican constellation aims to deliver improved image resolution and faster revisit times, enabling real-time monitoring across sectors such as agriculture, urban planning, and disaster response. This launch represents a major advancement in Planet’s efforts to enhance global satellite imaging capabilities.

In August 2024, Lockheed Martin, a US-based aerospace and defense company, acquired Terran Orbital for $450 million. This acquisition supports Lockheed Martin’s goal of expanding its space portfolio. Terran Orbital is known for its high-throughput robotic manufacturing capabilities and advanced modular space vehicle designs, which strengthen Lockheed Martin’s position in the small satellite market. The acquisition is expected to enhance Lockheed’s technological offerings and manufacturing capacity in satellite development. Terran Orbital is a US-based aerospace and defense company specializing in innovative nanosatellites and microsatellites for commercial and government applications.

Major companies operating in the nanosatellite and microsatellite market are Dauria Aerospace, GomSpace Group AB, Innovative Solutions In Space (ISIS), Sierra Nevada Corporation, Spire Global Inc., SpaceQuest Ltd., Survey Satellite Technology Limited, Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems Inc., AAC Clyde Space AB, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Planet Labs PBC, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Axelspace Corporation, Astro Digital Inc., Berlin Space Technologies, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Dynetics Inc., RUAG Group, Swarm Technologies Inc., Blue Canyon Technologies Inc., China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Spaceflight Industries Inc., ECM Space Technologies GmbH, TriSept Corporation, SpaceWorks Enterprises Inc., NanoAvionics Inc., Kepler Communications Inc., Pumpkin Inc., Nanoracks LLC.

North America was the largest region in the nanosatellite and microsatellite market in 2025. The regions covered in the nanosatellite and microsatellite market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are influencing the nanosatellite and microsatellite market by raising import costs for critical hardware components, launch vehicle parts, and communication subsystems, thereby increasing overall mission expenditure. These impacts are most prominent across hardware-intensive segments such as payloads, communication systems, and power systems, and regions dependent on cross-border satellite manufacturing and launch services in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. While tariffs pose challenges by disrupting supply chains and delaying production, they also encourage domestic manufacturing, regional sourcing, and innovation in low-cost satellite technologies, creating selective positive momentum within the market.

The nanosatellite and microsatellite market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides nanosatellite and microsatellite market statistics, including nanosatellite and microsatellite industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a nanosatellite and microsatellite market share, detailed nanosatellite and microsatellite market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the nanosatellite and microsatellite industry. This nanosatellite and microsatellite market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Nanosatellites and microsatellites (NaM) are miniaturized artificial satellites with weights ranging from 1 to 100 kilograms. These satellites orbit the Earth in polar (circular or elliptical) orbits and are typically launched at low altitudes. They travel at high speeds, providing effective solutions for communication, remote sensing, and Earth observations.

The primary components of nanosatellites and microsatellites include launch services, hardware, software and data processing, and space services. Launch services involve the process of placing satellites into their designated orbits, and they play a critical role in the initial stages of launching nanosatellites and microsatellites into space. Nanosatellites typically weigh between 1 kg and 10 kg, while microsatellites weigh between 11 kg and 100 kg. These satellites find applications in various fields such as communication, reconnaissance, scientific research, Earth observation and remote sensing, biological experiments, academic training, technology demonstration and verification, mapping, and navigation. They are utilized by major verticals including government, defense, maritime and transportation, civil sectors, commercial enterprises, energy, and infrastructure.

The countries covered in the nanosatellite and microsatellite market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The nanosatellite and microsatellite market consists of sales of on-board computer (OBC), electrical power subsystem (EPS), and communication subsystem. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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