Space Fuel Production Market Report 2026

The space fuel production market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.55 billion in 2025 to $1.72 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to early research into in-situ resource utilization for producing propellants from lunar and martian materials, development of cryogenic fuel storage and management technologies for long-duration missions, initial testing of on-orbit refueling concepts using robotic interfaces, growing use of electric propulsion systems driving demand for specialized ionic liquids, expansion of commercial satellite operations increasing interest in fuel depot concepts.

The space fuel production market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.54 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to advancement of large-scale lunar and asteroid mining initiatives enabling extraterrestrial fuel extraction, rising deployment of space tugs requiring continuous access to propellant supplies, increasing commercialization of on-orbit refueling services for satellites and deep space missions, development of next-generation cryogenic storage systems with extended thermal stability, growing investment in liquid hydrogen and methane production systems for sustainable off-earth propulsion. Major trends in the forecast period include in-situ resource utilization expansion, cryogenic fuel storage advancements, space tug and fuel depot operations growth, development of electric propulsion fuels, integration of ionic liquid and hybrid rocket fuels.

The growth of the space fuel production market is expected to be driven by increasing investments in space activities. Space activities encompass human efforts to explore and utilize outer space, including satellite launches, missions, and space-related services. These investments are rising due to the growing demand for satellite-based communication and data services. Space fuel production plays a critical role by providing efficient spacecraft propulsion, enabling in-orbit refueling, and supporting long-duration missions. For example, in April 2024, the World Economic Forum, a Switzerland-based non-profit organization, projected the space economy to grow from $630 billion in 2023 to $1.8 trillion by 2035, with an average annual growth rate of 9%. Thus, the increasing investments in space activities are fueling the growth of the space fuel production market.

The growing number of satellite launches is expected to drive the growth of the space fuel production market. Satellite-based services provide functions such as communication, location tracking, weather monitoring, and remote sensing. The rise in satellite launches is fueled by increasing demand for global connectivity and data access, particularly in remote regions. This growth drives the need for space fuel production, as efficient and sustainable propellants are required for satellite propulsion, orbital maneuvers, and extended missions. For example, in January 2025, the Space Foundation, a US-based nonprofit organization, reported that 259 launches occurred in 2024, averaging one launch every 34 hours - five hours faster than in 2023. Consequently, the increase in satellite launches is boosting the space fuel production market.

Leading companies in the space fuel production market are focusing on innovative solutions such as in-orbit refueling interfaces and propellant depots to meet the growing demand for extended satellite lifetimes, reusable spacecraft operations, and reduced launch mass. An in-orbit refueling interface allows satellites to receive propellant while in space, unlike traditional spacecraft that rely solely on pre-loaded fuel at launch, thereby improving mission flexibility and longevity. For example, in July 2025, Orbit Fab, Inc., a US-based space services company, introduced the RAFTI (Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface) Refueling Port and Fuel Delivery Service for satellites and space vehicles. The RAFTI system enables standardized in-orbit propellant transfers through a compact docking mechanism compatible with multiple fuel types, including hydrazine and xenon. It incorporates a lightweight interface for both ground and orbital refueling, modular depot infrastructure, and mission-planning software to optimize refueling schedules. This innovation enhances operational flexibility, extends satellite lifespans, and reduces launch weight compared to traditional single-fuel-load missions.

Major companies operating in the space fuel production market are The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Sierra Nevada Corporation, United Launch Alliance, Relativity Space, Firefly Aerospace, Firehawk Aerospace, Vaya Space, Astrobotic, Orbit Fab, HyImpulse Technologies, HyPrSpace, bluShift Aerospace, Viridian Space, Momentus, Virgin Galactic, Stoke Space, Impulse Space, Gilmour Space Technologies, Rocket Lab, ISRU Technologies Inc.

North America was the largest region in the space fuel production market in 2025. The regions covered in the space fuel production 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 introduced challenges for the space fuel production market by increasing the costs of critical materials and advanced propulsion components, especially affecting segments like electric propulsion fuels and cryogenic storage technologies. Regions with significant manufacturing hubs in Asia-Pacific, including China and Japan, are most impacted due to supply chain dependencies. However, tariffs have also incentivized localized production and innovation within key markets, enabling manufacturers to develop cost-efficient fuel production technologies and reduce reliance on imports, thus fostering greater self-sufficiency and resilience.

The space fuel production market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides space fuel production market statistics, including the space fuel production industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with the space fuel production market share, detailed space fuel production market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the space fuel production market. This space fuel production 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 fuel production involves the creation or extraction of propellants such as hydrogen, oxygen, or methane - from extraterrestrial sources like the Moon, Mars, or asteroids, intended for use in spacecraft propulsion, orbital operations, or refueling missions.

The primary fuel types in space fuel production include hydrogen, methane, nuclear, solar, and others. Hydrogen, available in both liquid and gaseous forms, is commonly used to power spacecraft. This process employs various technologies, including in-situ resource utilization, chemical propulsion, electric propulsion, and more, to support a wide range of applications such as spacecraft propulsion, satellite power systems, and space stations. These fuels are used by diverse end-users, including government and defense agencies, commercial companies, and others.

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

The space fuel production market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as on-orbit refueling services, cryogenic fuel storage and management, and space tug and fuel depot operations. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The space fuel production market also includes sales of ionic liquids and electric propulsion fuels, solid propellants, and liquid hydrogen. 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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