Space Militarization Market Report 2026

The space militarization market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $59.18 billion in 2025 to $63.38 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing government defense budgets for space-based military assets, technological advancements in space surveillance and reconnaissance systems, growing deployment of military satellites for communication and navigation, rising geopolitical tensions driving space defense initiatives, early adoption of space-based sensors and specialized spacecraft for strategic operations.

The space militarization market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $83.08 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of space-based weapons and offensive capabilities, integration of ai and machine learning for autonomous space defense operations, rising investments in space domain monitoring and situational awareness, development of resilient and modular military satellites and hardware components, increasing focus on system integration, maintenance, and support for sustained space militarization capabilities. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of ai and autonomous control in space military systems, development of space-based robotic and unmanned platforms, enhanced satellite communication and secure network systems, real-time data analytics and cybersecurity for space operations, advanced manufacturing of space-grade materials and components, expansion of space domain awareness and surveillance capabilities, deployment of specialized weapons systems in orbit, increased investment in space logistics and support infrastructure, collaboration between nations for defense space missions, focus on resilience and redundancy in space assets.

The rising focus on space traffic management is expected to propel the growth of the space militarization market going forward. Space traffic management refers to the coordination and regulation of space activities and objects to ensure safe and efficient operations in Earth’s orbit. The growing number of satellites and expanding space activities, which increase concerns about orbital congestion and safety, are elevating the importance of space traffic management. Space militarization supports this rising focus by enabling global operations, exercises, and logistics, as well as by advancing technologies and strategies to protect space assets and maintain secure, orderly operations in orbit. For instance, in May 2024, according to Gov.UK, the official website of the UK government, as of April 2024, the number of active satellites in orbit surpassed 9,000, with projections suggesting this number could exceed 60,000 by 2030. Therefore, the rising focus on space traffic management is driving the growth of the space militarization market.

Major players in the space militarization market are working on advanced solutions, such as an open Earth Orbit (LEO) network of military satellites, to maximize profitability. An LEO network of military satellites refers to a system of satellites positioned in low-altitude Earth orbit, typically ranging from approximately 180 to 2,000 kilometers (112 to 1,242 miles) above the Earth's surface. For instance, in December 2023, Rocket Lab USA Inc., a US-based aerospace technology company, secured a $515 million contract to construct 18 satellites for a US government agency, believed to be the Space Development Agency (SDA). These satellites, part of the SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, will be part of the Transport Layer Tranche 2 Beta, consisting of communication satellites to enable beyond-line-of-sight connectivity for military forces on the ground. The satellites will carry radios using UHF and S-band frequencies relied upon by military and intelligence units for voice and low-speed data transmissions.

In October 2024, Lockheed Martin Corporation, a U.S.-based aerospace and defense company, acquired Terran Orbital for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is expected to bolster Lockheed Martin’s capabilities within the global aerospace and defense industries. By integrating Terran Orbital’s entrepreneurial drive with Lockheed Martin's extensive scale, the partnership creates substantial opportunities to jointly advance technology and innovative space solutions. Terran Orbital Corporation is a U.S.-based company engaged in space militarization.

Major companies operating in the space militarization market are Raytheon Technologies Corporation, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SAS, General Dynamics Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., BAE Systems plc, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., Thales SA, Rheinmetall AG, Serco Group Plc, Teledyne Technologies Inc., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Saab AB, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc., SES SA, QinetiQ Group plc, Aselsan A.S., Orbital ATK, Maxar Technologies Inc., Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Cobham plc.

North America was the largest region in the space militarization market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the space militarization 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 on aerospace-grade components, specialized sensors, and satellite subsystems have increased production costs and slowed deployment in the space militarization market. High-end spacecraft, satellites, and ground-based equipment segments are most affected, particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions where major manufacturing occurs. Some positive impacts include incentivizing domestic manufacturing, promoting supply chain localization, and accelerating R&D to develop cost-effective and resilient military space technologies.

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

Space militarization involves the development and deployment of military capabilities and assets in outer space for strategic purposes, encompassing surveillance, communication, navigation, and potential offensive actions. These capabilities are utilized for espionage, troop communication, and, when necessary, hostile engagements.

The primary types of space militarization include manned spacecraft and unmanned spacecraft. Manned spacecraft are vehicles designed to transport astronauts or cosmonauts into space for missions such as research, exploration, or assembly and maintenance of space stations. The various capabilities encompass defense and support, incorporating multiple solutions such as space-based equipment, satellites, ground-based equipment, logistics, and services.

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

The space militarization market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as space domain monitoring, system integration and installation services, maintenance and support, and maintaining space exploration infrastructure. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The space militarization market also includes sales of specialized spacecraft, weapons systems, sensors, and replacement hardware components. 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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