Medium and Large Satellite Market Report 2026

The medium and large satellite market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $223.69 billion in 2025 to $231.61 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing demand for global communication and broadband services, government investments in defense and intelligence satellite programs, technological advancements in satellite payload capacity and reliability, rising adoption of earth observation satellites for environmental monitoring and agriculture, growing collaboration between aerospace companies and space agencies for satellite manufacturing.

The medium and large satellite market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $266.76 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of high-bandwidth communication and 5G satellite networks, rising demand for advanced earth observation and remote sensing applications, increased investments in space exploration and scientific research satellites, growing commercialization of defense and intelligence satellite services, development of modular and reusable satellite platforms for cost-effective deployment. Major trends in the forecast period include growing adoption of high-bandwidth communication payloads, rising demand for multi-mission large satellites, increased government investments in national security satellites, expansion of commercial satellite constellations for connectivity, advancements in next-generation earth observation instruments.

The increasing need for improved communication infrastructure is expected to drive the growth of the medium and large satellite market in the coming years. Communication infrastructure refers to the foundational systems, networks, and technologies that support the seamless exchange of information. Ongoing technological advancements, including the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and 5G networks, require a strong and reliable communication framework. Communication infrastructure enables faster and more dependable data transmission between satellites and ground stations, supporting real-time monitoring and control of satellite operations. For example, in April 2023, Gov.UK, a U.K.-based official government information website, reported that through Project Gigabit, £5 billion is being allocated to expand gigabit broadband networks, aiming to deliver gigabit connectivity to at least 85% of premises by 2025 and over 99% by 2030. Therefore, the increasing need for stronger communication infrastructure is contributing to the growth of the medium and large satellite market.

Major companies operating in the medium and large satellite market are focusing on developing new technologies, such as ground-to-satellite connectivity feature in satellite to advance their service offering. Ground-to-satellite connectivity refers to the communication link between ground stations on Earth and satellites in space. For instance, in January 2023, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a US-based manufacturer of digital wireless telecommunication products and services, launched Snapdragon Satellite. This is the world's first satellite-based two-way messaging solution for luxury smartphones. Snapdragon Satellite is powered by Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF Systems and supported by the Iridium satellite constellation, which is currently fully operational and is anticipated to offer worldwide access through mobile messaging from all over the world.

In January 2024, Airbus SE, a Netherlands-based aircraft manufacturing commercial company acquired Eutelsat OneWeb for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is expected to strengthen Airbus's position in the medium and large satellite market, as it will allow the company to focus on maximizing efficiency and increasing competitiveness in the production of satellites for institutional, national security, and commercial space customers. Eutelsat OneWeb is a UK-based company that offers a wide range of satellite communication services, including video broadcasting, satellite newsgathering, broadband services, data connectivity, and connecting airplanes and ships.

Major companies operating in the medium and large satellite market are The Boeing Company, The Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Safran Electronics & Defense, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, EchoStar Corporation, Sierra Nevada Corporation, DigitalGlobe, Maxar Technologies Inc., RUAG Space, OHB SE, Rocket Lab USA Inc., Arianespace SA, UrtheCast, AMOS Spacecom, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., GomSpace Aps, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the medium and large satellite market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the medium and large satellite 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 have influenced the medium and large satellite market by increasing costs of imported propulsion components, structural materials, avionics, and payload electronics, leading to extended production timelines and higher satellite manufacturing expenses. The most affected segments include electric propulsion systems and high-bandwidth communication payloads, with regions like North America and Europe experiencing additional pressure due to reliance on Asia-Pacific component suppliers. While tariffs raise costs, they also encourage domestic manufacturing, boost regional supply-chain development, and stimulate investment in locally produced satellite technologies, creating selective positive impacts on the market.

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

Medium and large satellites refer to is a man-made object or vehicle that is placed into orbit around a celestial body, such as the Earth or another planet. Medium satellites are those that weigh between 500 kilograms (about 1,100 pounds) to 1,000 kilograms (about 2,200 pounds), and large satellites are generally classified as weighing more than 1,000 kilograms. They are designed to perform tasks such as providing communications, monitoring navigation, and high-bandwidth data connectivity to service providers, government agencies, and commercial enterprises, among others.

The main types of propulsion of medium and large satellite are chemical propulsion, and electrical propulsion. Chemical propulsion is a method of spacecraft propulsion that uses chemical reactions to release energy and accelerate gases, generating thrust. They enter into low earth orbit (LEO), medium earth orbit (MEO), geostationary orbit (GEO), and other orbits for earth observation, navigation and global positioning, communication, and others. The end uses are for commercial, government, and military.

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

The medium and large satellite market consists of sales of communication satellites, earth observation satellites, scientific research satellites, defense and intelligence satellites. 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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