Exoplanetary Exploration Market Report 2026

The exoplanetary exploration market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $9.15 billion in 2025 to $10.31 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to advancements in space-based telescopes enabling detection of distant exoplanets, development of observational instruments improving measurement of planetary size and orbit, increasing availability of data analysis software supporting complex exoplanet modeling, expansion of international research collaborations driving scientific discoveries, rising deployment of dedicated exoplanet missions improving detection sensitivity.

The exoplanetary exploration market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $16.43 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for high-precision observational technologies to study exoplanet atmospheres, rising investment in next-generation space telescopes enabling deeper universe exploration, increasing adoption of ai-driven analytics to process large volumes of exoplanetary data, expansion of commercial participation in space science boosting instrument and mission development, development of advanced spectrometry tools enhancing characterization of potentially habitable exoplanets. Major trends in the forecast period include artificial intelligence & autonomous intelligence, digitalization, cloud, big data & cybersecurity, internet of things (iot), smart infrastructure & connected ecosystems, autonomous systems, robotics and smart mobility, sustainability, climate tech & circular economy.

The growing investments in space missions are expected to drive the expansion of the exoplanetary exploration market. Space missions involve planned operations carried out in outer space, usually by spacecraft or satellites, to explore, observe, or study celestial bodies or to perform scientific, commercial, or military functions. These investments are mainly motivated by the increasing strategic importance of space for national security, as countries recognize that control of space ensures military advantage, economic strength, and competitiveness in the global arena. Funding in space missions supports exoplanetary exploration by facilitating the development and deployment of advanced telescopes, spacecraft, and observational technologies essential for detecting and studying planets beyond our solar system. For example, in June 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand reported that the UK pledged £10 billion ($12.5 billion) for space activities over the decade starting in 2023, with £3 billion ($3.75 billion) allocated in the 2023 spending review. Consequently, rising investments in space missions are boosting the growth of the exoplanetary exploration market.

The increasing number of space launches is anticipated to propel the growth of the exoplanetary exploration market. Space launches refer to missions where rockets are sent into space to deploy satellites, transport cargo, or carry astronauts beyond Earth's atmosphere. The rise in launch frequency is driven largely by the growing demand for satellite-based services such as communication, Earth observation, navigation, and broadband internet, which require regular deployment and replenishment of satellite constellations. Exoplanetary exploration further stimulates demand for advanced launches, as missions like Pandora need precise orbital positioning and next-generation telescopes, encouraging innovations in rocket technology and satellite deployment. For instance, in January 2025, a report by the Space Foundation, a US nonprofit, indicated that orbital launch attempts increased by 16% in 2024, totaling 259 launches averaging one launch every 34 hours, which is five hours more frequent than in 2023. Thus, the rising frequency of space launches is contributing to the growth of the exoplanetary exploration market.

Key players in the exoplanet exploration market are focused on developing advanced solutions like space-based telescopes to improve detection and analysis of exoplanet atmospheres. Space-based telescopes are instruments positioned in orbit or space that observe celestial objects without the distortion caused by Earth’s atmosphere. They capture clearer, more detailed images across various wavelengths such as ultraviolet, X-ray, and infrared, which are often blocked by the atmosphere, allowing more precise study of stars, galaxies, and exoplanets. For example, in February 2025, NASA selected SpaceX to launch the Pandora smallsat mission under its Astrophysics Pioneers program. Pandora is a space telescope equipped with a 45-centimeter optical and infrared instrument designed to study exoplanet atmospheres by observing 20 stars known to host planets. The mission will use transmission spectroscopy to distinguish whether atmospheric spectral features come from planetary gases like hydrogen or water, or from variations in the host stars themselves. This project highlights NASA’s ongoing efforts to advance exoplanet science with innovative and cost-effective satellite missions.

Major companies operating in the exoplanetary exploration market are The Boeing Company; Northrop Grumman Corporation; BAE Systems plc; L3Harris Technologies Inc.; Leonardo S.p.A.; Airbus Defence and Space SE; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.; Teledyne Technologies Incorporated; Blue Origin L.L.C.; Thales Alenia Space SAS; Ball Aerospace And Technologies Corp.; Maxar Technologies Inc.; Sierra Space Corporation; Rocket Lab Inc.; Firefly Aerospace Inc.; Blue Skies Space Ltd.; Surrey Satellite Technology Limited; Astrolab; Elecnor Deimos S.L.U.; Orbital ATK Inc.

North America was the largest region in the exoplanetary exploration market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the exoplanetary exploration 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-tech components, specialty optics, and space-grade electronics are increasing the overall costs of exoplanetary exploration systems, particularly affecting precision instruments, spacecraft buses, and telescope assemblies. These impacts are most pronounced in segments such as space-based telescopes, observatory spacecraft, and instruments & detectors, and in regions that rely heavily on cross-border supply chains in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Scientific research and commercial application segments face higher procurement costs and longer lead times, prompting government agencies and private enterprises to localize manufacturing, redesign systems around more readily available components, and negotiate long-term supply contracts. At the same time, tariffs can stimulate domestic innovation and investment in regional manufacturing capacity, partially offsetting the negative effects over the long term.

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

Exoplanetary exploration refers to the scientific investigation and study of planets located outside our solar system, known as exoplanets. This field focuses on detecting, observing, and analyzing these distant worlds to understand their properties, including size, mass, orbital patterns, atmospheric makeup, and potential to support life. The objective of exoplanetary exploration is to enhance our understanding of how planetary systems form and evolve, and to explore the possibility of life beyond Earth.

The primary technologies used in exoplanetary exploration include spacecraft, telescopes, rovers, and probes. A spacecraft is a vehicle or instrument engineered to operate in outer space, serving purposes such as exploration, communication, observation, or transportation beyond Earth’s atmosphere. These technologies support a broad range of applications across scientific research, commercial ventures, and defense-related missions. Key end users include government agencies, private companies, and research organizations.

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

The exoplanetary exploration market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as developing, manufacturing, and deploying technologies and services for the detection, observation, and study of planets outside our solar system. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included. The exoplanetary exploration market also includes sales of space-based telescopes, observational instruments and data analysis software. 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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