Microgravity Research Market Report 2025

The microgravity research market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $3.3 billion in 2024 to $3.64 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%. The expansion during the historical period is linked to a growing focus on pharmaceutical research conducted in space, increased funding for space missions by government bodies, the development of commercial space tourism and travel, the enlargement of space stations and orbital labs, as well as a rising need for microgravity experiments in biotechnology.

The microgravity research market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.32 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9%. The projected growth during the forecast period is driven by an increasing demand for 3D tissue and organ printing in space, higher funding for microgravity research from universities and academic institutions, expanded microgravity testing in material sciences, a rising number of research experiments conducted aboard the ISS, and heightened awareness of the advantages of space-based R&D. Key trends expected in this period include progress in microgravity simulation technologies, the creation of more affordable launch options, the deployment of small satellites carrying microgravity payloads, partnerships between pharmaceutical companies and space agencies, and advancements in autonomous onboard laboratory systems.

The rising investment in space exploration is expected to drive the growth of the microgravity research market in the upcoming years. Space exploration involves the scientific study and discovery of outer space through advanced technologies to examine celestial bodies and cosmic phenomena beyond Earth. The increase in investment stems from expanding commercial opportunities, as private companies view space-based technologies and services as profitable ventures with promising long-term returns. This growing investment enhances demand for microgravity research by providing greater access to orbital and suborbital platforms, which facilitate more frequent and varied scientific experiments in low-gravity environments, advancing knowledge across multiple fields. For example, in March 2025, the House of Commons Library reported that between 2022 and 2024, the UK government awarded contracts totaling $1.13 billion (£844 million) through the European Space Agency (ESA). Consequently, this surge in space exploration investment is expected to stimulate growth in the microgravity research market.

Key players in the microgravity research market are concentrating on developing sophisticated technology solutions, including end-to-end commercial microgravity services, to secure a competitive advantage. These fully integrated services encompass every phase of a microgravity research project, from planning and hardware development to mission execution and post-experiment analysis. In October 2023, German space technology firms Rocket Factory Augsburg, Yuri, and ATMOS Space Cargo launched Eva, an end-to-end commercial microgravity service. Eva aims to provide transformative insights in biotechnology and product innovation by combining the expertise of three specialized companies into a comprehensive solution. This approach allows clients to focus on their core business activities while benefiting from streamlined research support. Covering the entire value chain within Germany highlights the maturity and strength of the country's NewSpace sector.

In May 2025, Helogen Corporation, a US-based space biology and infrastructure firm, acquired Vellon Space for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition will enable Helogen to expand its presence in India’s rapidly growing space and biotechnology markets. The company will gain from Vellon Space’s deep local expertise and strong relationships with key institutions such as ISRO and the Indian Institutes of Technology. Vellon Space, an Indian space technology company, specializes in microgravity research and development.

Major players in the microgravity research market are Airbus SE, Northrop Grumman Corporation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Thales Group, SpaceX Corp., Blue Origin LLC, ESA, Sierra Space Corp., JAXA, Axiom Space Inc., Rocket Lab Ltd., Roscosmos, Made In Space Inc., NanoRacks LLC, Space Tango Inc., Virgin Galactic, CNSA, ISS National Lab, SpacePharma, and Space Life Sciences Lab.

North America was the largest region in the microgravity research market in 2024. The regions covered in microgravity research report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the microgravity research market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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.

The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

Microgravity research involves investigating physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in environments where gravity is much weaker than on Earth. Under these reduced-gravity conditions, various phenomena such as fluid flow, burning processes, material properties, and biological growth can change, providing new perspectives on basic natural laws.

The primary platforms for microgravity research include the International Space Station, parabolic flights, drop towers, and ground-based facilities. The International Space Station is a large spacecraft orbiting Earth where scientists carry out experiments in a stable microgravity environment. It serves multiple fields such as space exploration, material science, biotechnology, combustion science, and fluid dynamics, and is used by government agencies, commercial space companies, research institutions, and others.

The microgravity research market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides microgravity research market statistics, including microgravity research industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a microgravity research market share, detailed microgravity research market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the microgravity research industry. This microgravity research 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 microgravity research market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as microgravity experiment design, payload integration, flight operations support, and ground-based simulation services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The microgravity research market also includes sales of fluid handling systems, thermal control units, telemetry systems, and microgravity simulation devices. 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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