Infrared Telescope Market Report 2026

The infrared telescope market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.39 billion in 2025 to $2.58 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to advancements in cooled infrared detector technologies, increasing deployment of space-based infrared observatories, development of ground-based telescopes at high-altitude locations, rising scientific demand for infrared spectroscopy capabilities, growth in astronomy research programs requiring infrared imaging systems.

The infrared telescope market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.48 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expanding investment in next-generation space infrared telescopes, rising demand for portable infrared astronomy kits for educational and amateur use, technological advancements improving thermal imaging telescope resolution, increased adoption of advanced spectrometers for deep-space analysis, growing government and institutional funding for astrophysics and cosmic observation initiatives. Major trends in the forecast period include advanced cryogenic and thermoelectric cooling solutions for infrared telescope detectors, increasing shift toward space-based infrared observatories to overcome atmospheric absorption, integration of multi-band (near-, mid-, and far-infrared) capabilities within single telescope platforms, growing demand for high-sensitivity infrared telescopes in defense and surveillance applications, miniaturization and commercialization of portable infrared astronomy kits for education and amateur use.

The increasing investments in space-based research are expected to drive the growth of the infrared telescope market going forward. Space-based research refers to scientific studies and experiments conducted beyond Earth’s atmosphere using instruments such as satellites and telescopes to explore the universe, Earth, and the effects of microgravity. The rise in investments is fueled by growing global interest in space exploration, which promotes scientific discovery, economic development, and strategic advancements. Infrared telescopes enable the observation of celestial objects obscured by dust and gas, expanding knowledge of the universe and guiding strategic investments in promising space research opportunities. For instance, in July 2024, according to the UK Space Agency, a UK-based government organization, in 2023-24, the Agency allocated £642 million ($23.53 million) to the sector and successfully achieved 78% (51 out of 65) of its planned milestones. Therefore, rising investments in space-based research are propelling the growth of the infrared telescope market.

Major companies operating in the infrared telescope market are focusing on developing innovative products, such as infrared space telescopes, to enhance observational capabilities and provide comprehensive cosmological data. An infrared space telescope is designed to operate in space and observe the universe in infrared wavelengths. For instance, in March 2025, NASA, a US-based space agency, launched SPHEREx, an infrared space telescope. SPHEREx is intended to conduct an all-sky survey in near-infrared light, offering a panoramic view of the cosmos. It is equipped to analyze over 300 million galaxies and 100 million stars, helping uncover critical information about the universe's origins, galaxy formation, and the distribution of water and organic molecules in interstellar space.

In February 2025, OurSky, a US-based space technology company, merged with PlaneWave Instruments for an undisclosed amount. The merger combines OurSky’s advanced space observation software with PlaneWave Instruments’ high-precision telescope hardware to create Observable Space, a unified company providing end-to-end space solutions, including software-defined telescopes and space data analytics. PlaneWave Instruments is a US-based company specializing in high-performance telescopes and observatory systems, including infrared telescopes.

Major companies operating in the infrared telescope market are Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., RTX Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., SKF, Olympus Corporation, Elbit Systems Ltd., Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Hexagon AB, Zhejiang Dali Technology Co. Ltd., Allied Vision Technologies GmbH, Advanced IR Optics Inc., VIGO Photonics, Princeton Infrared Technologies Inc., InfraRed Associates Inc., Princeton Infrared Technologies, Satlantis Microsats SA.

North America was the largest region in the infrared telescope market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the infrared telescope 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 high-value optical glass, infrared detectors, cryogenic cooling systems, and precision mechanics are increasing production costs for infrared telescope manufacturers, particularly for space-based telescopes and advanced detector components sourced from cross-border supply chains. These measures are most disruptive in regions with strong aerospace and optics trade links such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific manufacturing hubs, where import duties on specialized photonics and electronics are significant. Ground-based observatories, defense and surveillance programs, and Earth observation/climate monitoring payloads are especially affected as they rely on complex imported subsystems. At the same time, tariffs are encouraging localization of detector fabrication, optics polishing, and cooling-system integration, which can strengthen regional supply chains and spur investment in domestic infrared telescope capabilities.

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

An infrared telescope is an instrument designed to detect infrared radiation (heat) emitted by celestial bodies, enabling astronomers to study stars, galaxies, and other phenomena that are either cool or obscured by interstellar dust. These telescopes are typically placed in space or at high altitudes to minimize atmospheric interference.

The primary types of infrared telescopes are ground-based telescopes and space-based telescopes. Ground-based telescopes are positioned on the Earth’s surface and utilize adaptive optics and other advanced technologies to observe celestial objects through the atmosphere. These systems comprise various components, including optical elements, detectors, cooling units, mounting structures, and software and control systems. They incorporate a range of technologies such as photonic detectors, quantum detectors, and thermo-dynamic detectors. Infrared telescopes are applied in numerous fields, including astronomy and astrophysics, space exploration, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and defense and surveillance. They are used by a broad spectrum of end users, including research institutions, government agencies, universities and educational institutions, private companies, and aerospace and defense organizations.

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

The infrared telescope market consists of sales of thermal imaging telescope systems, portable infrared astronomy kits, cooled infrared detectors, and spectrometers. 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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