Orbital Infrastructure Market Report 2025

The orbital infrastructure market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $13.48 billion in 2024 to $14.8 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to the increase in space exploration efforts, the expansion of satellite constellations, the space race during the Cold War, government-driven space initiatives, the development of communication satellites, and the rise in commercial satellite launches.

The orbital infrastructure market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $21.33 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing private sector investments, the expansion of international space partnerships, rising demand for in-orbit servicing capabilities, the advancement of space tourism initiatives, the growing need for space-based research platforms, and the continued development of low Earth orbit constellations. Major trends expected during the forecast period include autonomous satellite servicing, AI-driven space traffic management, innovations in advanced thermal control systems, the emergence of on-orbit refueling technologies, the development of quantum communication systems, and the use of 3D printing in microgravity environments.

The increasing number of satellites is expected to drive the growth in the orbital infrastructure market in the future. Satellites refer to man-made objects launched into orbit around Earth or other celestial bodies to perform specific functions such as communication, navigation, Earth observation, scientific research, and military surveillance. The number of satellites is increasing due to the rising demand for global connectivity through satellite-based internet services, as ground networks are often unable to reach remote and underserved areas. Orbital infrastructure supports satellites by providing essential in-orbit services, making satellite deployment and operations more sustainable. It enhances mission efficiency through capabilities like refueling, repair, and data processing, improving satellite performance and lifespan. For instance, in September 2022, according to the Government Accountability Office, a US-based government agency, there were nearly 5,500 active satellites in orbit, with projections suggesting the launch of an additional 58,000 by 2030. Therefore, the increasing number of satellites is driving the growth of the orbital infrastructure market.

Major companies operating in the orbital infrastructure market are focusing on developing technologically advanced solutions, such as AI labs in space, to enable autonomous research, enhance satellite operations, and support real-time data processing and decision-making in orbit. An AI lab in space is a dedicated research and computing facility typically housed on a satellite, space station, or orbital platform designed to develop, test, and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the unique environment of space. For instance, in November 2024, TM2Space Technologies Pvt. Ltd., an India-based aerospace company, launched My Orbital Infrastructure-Technology Demonstrator (MOI-TD), an AI lab in space. This AI lab is designed to conduct autonomous experiments in microgravity while utilizing advanced radiation-hardened systems to ensure operational reliability in deep-space conditions. MOI-TD features advanced real-time in-orbit data processing capabilities that minimize latency and transmission costs and is equipped with cutting-edge hardware, including reaction wheels, magnetometers, an AI accelerator, and an advanced onboard computer, all protected by radiation shielding. It is powered by flexible solar cells, laying the foundation for future sustainable space-based data centers.

In January 2025, Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc., a US-based aerospace company, partnered with Redwire Corporation to develop research payload lockers for its Delta-class spaceships. This partnership aims to enhance suborbital microgravity research capabilities and expand access for scientific and commercial payloads on future spaceflights. Redwire Corporation is a US-based company that specializes in orbital infrastructure.

Major players in the orbital infrastructure market are Northrop Grumman Corporation, Thales Group, Airbus SE, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Blue Origin Enterprises L.P., Viasat Inc., Astrium SAS, Maxar Technologies Inc., United Launch Alliance L.L.C., Telesat Corporation, OneWeb Holdings Limited, Axiom Space Inc., Sierra Space Corporation, Rocket Lab USA Inc., Isar Aerospace Technologies GmbH, Loft Orbital Solutions Inc., Astroscale Holdings Inc., ClearSpace SA, Firefly Aerospace Inc., Orbit Fab Inc.

North America was the largest region in the orbital infrastructure market in 2024. The regions covered in orbital infrastructure report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the orbital infrastructure market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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.

The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

Orbital infrastructure refers to the network of physical assets and systems deployed in Earth’s orbit that support a wide range of space-based activities, including communication, navigation, Earth observation, scientific research, and human habitation. It serves as a vital foundation for both governmental and commercial space operations, playing a crucial role in global connectivity, national security, and the advancement of space exploration.

The primary components of orbital infrastructure include satellites, ground stations, launch vehicles, and others. Satellites are human-made objects placed in orbit around Earth or other celestial bodies to facilitate data collection or support functions such as communication, navigation, weather forecasting, and scientific investigation. These components are utilized across various applications, including communication, Earth observation, navigation, space exploration, and more, catering to end users such as commercial enterprises, government agencies, military organizations, and others.

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

The orbital infrastructure market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as high-speed connectivity services, telephony and voice services, managed IT infrastructure services, and network and cybersecurity services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The orbital infrastructure market also includes sales of fiber optic cables, transmission towers and poles, steel reinforcement bars, circuit breakers, and switchgear. 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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