Satellite Bus Market Report 2026

The satellite bus market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $13.19 billion in 2025 to $13.99 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in early communication satellite launches, rising demand for weather monitoring satellites, expansion of government space missions, development of basic satellite bus platforms, increasing investment in national space programs.

The satellite bus market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.73 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rise in commercial constellation deployments, advancements in lightweight satellite bus materials, increasing demand for high throughput satellite systems, growth in private space exploration, expansion of earth observation applications. Major trends in the forecast period include growing integration of AI-based satellite operations, increasing demand for sustainable satellite bus materials, rising adoption of autonomous satellite maneuvering systems, expansion of advanced manufacturing methods for satellite structures, increasing use of cybersecure digital satellite bus architectures.

The rising number of satellite launches is expected to drive the growth of the satellite bus market during the forecast period. An increase in satellite deployments by both public and commercial entities is anticipated to accelerate the use of satellite buses, supporting market expansion. For example, in May 2024, GOV.UK, a UK-based organization, reported that over 9,000 active satellites were in orbit, with projections suggesting this number could exceed 60,000 by 2030. Therefore, the growing frequency of satellite launches is expected to propel market growth.

A key trend in the satellite bus market is the focus on technological advancements by major companies. Industry leaders are striving to enhance satellite buses by incorporating technologies such as electric propulsion, high-resolution cameras, advanced remote sensing, and LIDAR. Lockheed Martin Corporation, in January 2023, introduced the LM400 satellite bus, featuring a 1,700 KG payload capacity and offering flexibility for various applications through a common design and hardware.

In October 2024, Lockheed Martin Corporation, a US-based provider of aerospace, defense, and advanced technology systems, acquired Terran Orbital Corporation for approximately $450 million. Through this acquisition, Lockheed Martin aims to expand its small-satellite manufacturing capabilities and enhance its vertically integrated space systems portfolio. Terran Orbital Corporation is a US-based provider of small satellite buses and end-to-end satellite solutions.

Major companies operating in the satellite bus market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Thales Group, Airbus SE, Northrop Grumman Corporation, The Boeing Company, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Ball Corporation, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Dhruva Space Private Limited, Inovor Technologies Pty Ltd, Alba Orbital Ltd, Argotec S.p.A., Telespazio S.p.A., JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev Company, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL), GomSpace Group AB, EnduroSat AD, Sputnix LLC, SpaceQuest, Ltd., INVAP S.E., Empresa Argentina de Soluciones Satelitales S.A. (ARSAT), Satellogic S.A., CubeSpace (Innovus Group), Dragonfly Aerospace (Pty) Ltd.

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 on aerospace grade metals, electronic components, and propulsion systems have increased production costs for satellite bus manufacturers, particularly affecting regions like Asia Pacific and Europe that rely on imported subsystems. These tariffs slow procurement cycles, disrupt supply chains, and impact medium and large satellite segments used in communication and scientific missions. However, tariffs are also encouraging domestic sourcing, local manufacturing expansion, and innovation in alternative materials to reduce dependency on imported high cost components.

The satellite bus market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides satellite bus market statistics, including satellite bus industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a satellite bus market share, detailed satellite bus market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the satellite bus industry. This satellite bus 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.

The satellite bus is the primary body and structural component of a satellite, serving as the framework to hold the payload and scientific equipment. Satellite buses are often customized to meet specific client requirements. They are predominantly used in geosynchronous satellites, particularly in the case of communications satellites. Additionally, satellite buses find application in lower-orbit spacecraft, including missions in low Earth orbit.

The main types of satellite buses include small satellites, medium satellites, and large satellites. Small satellites refer to primary bodies and structural components used to house payloads and scientific equipment in satellites weighing less than 500 kilograms. Services related to small satellites include leasing, maintenance, and support, catering to applications such as earth observation and meteorology, communication, scientific research and exploration, among others.North America was the largest region in the satellite bus market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the satellite bus market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the satellite bus market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The satellite bus market consists of sales of mini satellite buses, CubeSats, microsatellites, nanosatellites, and picosatellites. 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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