Rocket Deorbiting Systems Market Report 2026

The rocket deorbiting systems market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.62 billion in 2025 to $2.88 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing satellite launches driving early demand for post-mission disposal solutions, rising concerns over orbital debris following major fragmentation events, initial regulatory actions encouraging responsible end-of-life procedures, technological advancements in small satellite propulsion enabling basic deorbit capabilities, early adoption of deorbit kits by government-led space missions to minimize long-term debris risks.

The rocket deorbiting systems market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.15 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of commercial constellations requiring scalable deorbiting solutions, tightening global space sustainability regulations mandating end-of-life compliance, growing integration of autonomous deorbiting technologies to reduce mission costs, rising demand for retrofitting hardware for legacy satellites nearing end of life, increased collaboration between space agencies and private firms to standardize deorbiting frameworks. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of autonomous end-of-life deorbiting kits, growing adoption of electrodynamic tethers for passive deorbiting, expansion of in-orbit servicing and active removal partnerships, standardization of deorbiting protocols and regulatory compliance, development of low-mass retrofits for legacy satellites.

The increasing amount of space debris is expected to drive the growth of the rocket deorbiting systems market in the near future. Space debris, also referred to as orbital debris or space junk, consists of non-functional, human-made objects in Earth's orbit that no longer serve any useful purpose. This includes defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions, explosions, or the disintegration of spacecraft. The rise in space debris is largely due to the expansion of satellite constellations, as companies launch a growing number of small satellites to provide global services, such as broadband internet. Rocket deorbiting systems play a crucial role in minimizing space debris by ensuring that defunct rockets and spacecraft are safely deorbited or moved to graveyard orbits, reducing collision risks and promoting a cleaner, more sustainable space environment. For example, in May 2025, the European Space Agency reported that there are around 1.2 million pieces of space debris ranging in size from 1 cm to 10 cm, as well as approximately 140 million smaller fragments between 1 mm and 1 cm. As such, the growing presence of space debris is contributing to the growth of the rocket deorbiting systems market.

Key players in the rocket deorbiting systems market are focusing on developing advanced solutions like propulsion-based deorbiting systems to ensure precise and controlled re-entry, thus reducing orbital debris. These propulsion-based systems use onboard engines to actively guide rockets or spacecraft out of orbit by reducing their velocity. This method offers a reliable and controlled approach for safely deorbiting large or high-altitude objects. For instance, in June 2024, The Aerospace Corporation, a U.S.-based nonprofit space research and development organization, developed a new prototype deorbit motor. This motor allows small spacecraft, such as CubeSats, to safely deorbit at the end of their missions. The motor uses a commercial solid-propellant rocket with a unique deflector plate and nozzle design, creating spin-stabilized axial thrust for controlled re-entry, even for satellites that have lost some attitude control. The technology also meets new regulatory standards, such as the FCC’s five-year deorbit rule, and helps mitigate the growing risk of space debris by enabling operators to retire satellites on demand, thus improving sustainability in space operations.

In March 2025, Astroscale, a Japan-based provider of orbital debris removal and satellite life-extension services, partnered with Digantara and Bellatrix Aerospace to enhance orbital services in the Asia-Pacific region. This collaboration aims to combine Astroscale's expertise in end-of-life satellite servicing with Digantara’s space situational awareness and Bellatrix’s in-space mobility systems to ensure safer and more sustainable satellite operations. Digantara is an India-based space technology startup specializing in space situational awareness (SSA) and space traffic management, while Bellatrix Aerospace, also based in India, focuses on orbital data infrastructure.

Major companies operating in the rocket deorbiting systems market are Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), Astroscale, Firefly Aerospace Inc., Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, ClearSpace SA, Space Flight Laboratory, MMA Design LLC, ThrustMe S.A.S., High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH, D-Orbit S.p.A., Motiv Space Systems Inc., Orbotic Systems Inc., Kall Morris Inc. (KMI), Kurs Orbital Inc., CU Aerospace L.L.C., OrbitGuardians Inc., Skyrora Limited, Spaceo Inc., Vestigo Aerospace LLC.

North America was the largest region in the rocket deorbiting systems market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the rocket deorbiting systems 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 are increasing the cost of imported propulsion modules, specialty alloys, tether materials, and precision guidance electronics used in deorbiting systems, elevating unit prices and extending lead times. Thruster modules, electrodynamic tether components, and retrofit kits are most affected in regions dependent on cross-border sourcing - especially north america, europe, and asia-pacific. These duties have raised program budgets and slowed procurement for satellite operators and government programs, while also driving investment in localized manufacturing, supplier diversification, and domestic capability building that improve long-term supply resilience.

The rocket deorbiting systems market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides rocket deorbiting systems market statistics, including the rocket deorbiting systems industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the rocket deorbiting systems market share, detailed rocket deorbiting systems market segments, market trends, opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the rocket deorbiting systems industry. This rocket deorbiting systems 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 deorbiting systems are innovative technologies designed to safely bring rockets or their components back from orbit at the end of a mission. These systems facilitate a controlled descent into Earth's atmosphere or a transfer to a designated graveyard orbit. Their primary goal is to minimize space debris, decrease the likelihood of in-orbit collisions, and enhance the long-term sustainability of space activities.

The primary types of rocket deorbiting systems are active and passive systems. Active systems use controlled techniques to precisely deorbit spacecraft, effectively reducing space debris. These systems employ a range of technologies, such as chemical, electric, and hybrid propulsion, serving diverse applications across commercial, military, and government sectors. They are utilized by satellite operators, space agencies, defense organizations, and other stakeholders.

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

The rocket deorbiting systems market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as orbital path correction, end-of-life satellite disposal, deorbit planning consultancy, and mission assurance support. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The rocket deorbiting systems market includes sales of thruster modules, autonomous deorbit kits, integrated satellite components, and retrofitting hardware. 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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