Rocket Inertial Measurement Units Market Report 2026

The rocket inertial measurement units market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.17 billion in 2025 to $2.33 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing complexity of launch trajectories driving early demand for high-precision imu technologies, development of ring laser gyroscope imus enabling enhanced navigation accuracy, adoption of fiber optic gyroscope systems for improved reliability in harsh environments, advancements in mems imu miniaturization supporting integration into smaller launch vehicles, expansion of government and defense launch programs requiring independent navigation capabilities.

The rocket inertial measurement units market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.06 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growth of commercial launch providers increasing demand for cost-efficient and scalable imu solutions, innovation in imu fault-tolerance and redundancy improving mission safety, rising adoption of reusable rockets necessitating durable and recalibration-friendly imu architectures, advancements in sensor fusion algorithms enhancing real-time guidance accuracy, expanding deep-space and autonomous mission profiles requiring next-generation high-accuracy inertial measurement systems. Major trends in the forecast period include increased adoption of radiation-hardened imus, development of ultra-high-accuracy gyroscope systems, miniaturization of imus for small launch vehicles, improved thermal stabilization and drift reduction techniques, expansion of redundant imu architectures for mission assurance.

The growth of the rocket inertial measurement units market is expected to be driven by increasing investments in space exploration. These investments refer to funds provided by both public and private entities to develop technologies, infrastructure, and missions focused on exploring and utilizing outer space. The rise in investments is fueled by the expanding commercial potential of space-based industries, including satellite services, space tourism, and resource mining. This growing investment boosts demand for rocket inertial measurement units (IMUs) by increasing the need for precise navigation and guidance systems in advanced launch vehicles. For example, in April 2024, the World Economic Forum, a Switzerland-based non-profit organization, projected that the space economy would grow from $630 billion in 2023 to $1.8 trillion by 2035, representing an average annual growth rate of 9%. Thus, rising investments in space exploration are propelling the rocket inertial measurement units market forward.

Key players in the rocket inertial measurement units market are focused on developing innovative navigation and guidance systems to improve flight accuracy, enhance missile targeting, and ensure precision in long-range missions. Navigation and guidance systems consist of integrated technologies that determine a rocket’s position and trajectory, guiding it precisely to its target or destination. For instance, in April 2025, Thales Group, a France-based aerospace company, unveiled a next-generation Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) designed to provide resilient navigation in GPS-denied environments affected by jamming or spoofing. This advanced IMU incorporates Thales’s state-of-the-art sensors, including a three-axis Ring Laser Gyroscope (RLG) and three digital MEMS accelerometers, packaged in a compact, lightweight unit. The use of MEMS technology supports scalable serial production, allowing for rapid increases in manufacturing capacity.

In December 2024, Viavi Solutions Inc., a U.S.-based network testing company, acquired Inertial Labs, Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Viavi seeks to broaden its footprint in the aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors while enhancing its portfolio of positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technologies to support emerging autonomous system applications. Inertial Labs is a U.S.-based manufacturing company that provides rocket inertial measurement units.

Major companies operating in the rocket inertial measurement units market are Airbus SE, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., GE Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Safran S.A., Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Analog Devices, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd, Moog Inc., Kearfott Corporation, KVH Industries Inc., EMCORE Corporation, Advanced Navigation, SBG systems, IMAR Navigation GmbH, VectorNav Technologies, Gladiator Technologies, Japan Aviation Electronics Industries, Inertial Labs Inc.

North America was the largest region in the rocket inertial measurement units market in 2025. The regions covered in the rocket inertial measurement units 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 precision sensors, semiconductor components, and optical materials have increased production costs for rocket inertial measurement units, especially affecting FOG, MEMS, and RLG IMU segments dependent on imports from Asia-Pacific and Europe. These tariffs have disrupted supply chains, resulting in extended lead times and higher integration costs for defense and space platforms. However, tariffs are also driving investment in domestic sensor fabrication, strengthening supply resilience, and accelerating innovation in compact, cost-efficient IMU technologies.

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

Rocket inertial measurement units (IMUs) are advanced sensor systems designed to measure a rocket’s linear acceleration and angular velocity through the use of accelerometers and gyroscopes. These units deliver real-time information about the rocket’s orientation and movement, enabling accurate navigation and control. Since IMUs function independently of external signals, they are vital for missions operating in GPS-denied or space environments. Their precision and reliability are crucial for maintaining stable flight paths, guidance, and targeting.

The primary component types of rocket inertial measurement units include accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and others. Accelerometers detect linear acceleration along one or multiple axes. These IMUs are employed across a variety of platforms, such as spacecraft, missiles, launch vehicles, and more. Their key applications involve navigation, control, and stabilization, and they are used by end-users in the defense, space, and commercial sectors.

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

The rocket inertial measurement units market consists of sales of products including fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) IMUs, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) IMUs, and ring laser gyroscope (RLG) IMUs. 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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