Planetary Defense Market Report 2026

The planetary defense market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.76 billion in 2025 to $6.31 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to discovery of near-earth objects, development of ground-based observation networks, early asteroid tracking missions, increased scientific research funding, establishment of planetary defense frameworks.

The planetary defense market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8.95 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in space surveillance infrastructure, rising international cooperation on threat mitigation, expansion of autonomous space missions, growing use of advanced simulation models, increasing emphasis on global impact risk reduction. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing deployment of space-based neo detection systems, rising use of ai-driven orbit modeling, growing investment in deflection technology research, expansion of international planetary defense collaboration, enhanced focus on early warning capabilities.

The rising number of space missions is expected to drive the growth of the planetary defense market in the coming years. Space missions are organized operations conducted beyond Earth's atmosphere for scientific research, commercial use, defense initiatives, or exploration. The increase in space missions is largely due to technological advancements, such as reusable rockets and miniaturized satellites, which have made space exploration more cost-effective, efficient, and accessible. Planetary defense plays a vital role in these missions by enhancing the capability to detect, monitor, and potentially deflect hazardous near-Earth objects (NEOs), ensuring the safety of both Earth and active spacecraft. For example, in 2024, the Space Foundation, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, reported that global space launch activity reached record levels for the third consecutive year, with 223 launch attempts and 212 successful launches. This growth was driven by a 50 percent increase in commercial launches, a 33 percent rise in U.S. launch attempts, and the deployment of over 2,800 satellites, reflecting a 23 percent increase compared to 2022. These trends highlight how the expansion of space missions is fueling the growth of the planetary defense market.

Leading companies in the planetary defense sector are prioritizing the development of advanced technologies such as planetary defense probes, which are designed to detect, monitor, and address potential threats posed by NEOs. A planetary defense probe is a specialized spacecraft intended to study or interact with hazardous asteroids or comets to prevent potential collisions with Earth. For instance, in October 2024, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., a U.S.-based space technology firm, launched the European Space Agency’s Hera planetary defense probe from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Hera mission includes two cubesats, Milani and Juventas, which will conduct detailed studies of Dimorphos. These investigations will include mineralogical analysis and the first use of a subsurface radar probe on an asteroid. Hera’s primary objective is to assess the impact effects on Dimorphos, including the resulting crater, momentum transfer, and internal and surface properties. These findings are intended to validate and refine the kinetic impactor method as a viable planetary defense strategy. This mission represents a significant advancement in global efforts to prevent asteroid collisions with Earth.

In August 2024, Lockheed Martin Corporation, a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer, acquired Terran Orbital for $45 million. With this acquisition, Lockheed Martin seeks to expand its satellite manufacturing capabilities, improve its position within the space industry, and enhance control over supply chains that support national security, commercial, and scientific satellite programs. Terran Orbital, based in the U.S., is an aerospace and defense firm actively engaged in planetary defense initiatives.

Major companies operating in the planetary defense market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Boeing Company, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Blue Origin LLC., Maxar Technologies Inc., OHB SE, Astroscale Holdings Inc., Rocket Lab USA Inc., Planet Labs PBC, Firefly Aerospace Inc., Redwire Corporation, Terran Orbital Corporation, State Corporation for Space Activities, Orion Space Solutions LLC., Airbus S.A.S, Thales Alenia Space S.A.S, Leonardo S.p.A, L3Harris Technologies Inc., RTX Corporation.

North America was the largest region in the planetary defense market in 2025. The regions covered in the planetary defense market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the planetary defense market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The planetary defense market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as asteroid and comet detection, orbit tracking and monitoring, threat assessment and risk analysis, early warning systems, and impact modeling and simulation. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The planetary defense market also includes sales of products including space-based telescopes, ground-based radar and optical systems, asteroid detection software, orbit prediction models, and impact simulation tools. 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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