Orbital Infrastructure Market Report 2026

The orbital infrastructure market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $14.8 billion in 2025 to $16.25 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing deployment of communication and navigation satellites supporting global connectivity, growth in earth observation programs requiring robust orbital platforms, rising demand for managed it and network services delivered via space-based systems, advancements in satellite hardware including circuit breakers and switchgear for orbital use, expansion of governmental and commercial initiatives investing in orbital infrastructure development.

The orbital infrastructure market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $23.32 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing adoption of high-speed satellite broadband expanding global digital access, increasing integration of cybersecurity services to protect orbital networks, rising demand for resilient orbital infrastructure to support emerging space economy activities, expansion of large satellite constellations requiring extensive support systems and materials, accelerating innovation in orbital construction technologies including modular and scalable infrastructure designs. Major trends in the forecast period include expansion of leo satellite constellations, growing demand for multi-orbit ground station interoperability, rising adoption of reusable orbital servicing and refueling systems, increased investment in space-debris mitigation technologies, surge in commercial space exploration and in-orbit manufacturing.

The growing number of satellites is expected to drive the growth of the orbital infrastructure market in the coming years. Satellites are man-made objects launched into orbit around Earth or other celestial bodies to perform functions such as communication, navigation, Earth observation, scientific research, and military surveillance. The surge in satellite numbers is driven by the rising demand for global connectivity through satellite-based internet services, as terrestrial networks often cannot reach remote and underserved regions. Orbital infrastructure supports satellites by providing critical in-orbit services, making satellite deployment and operations more sustainable. It enhances mission efficiency through capabilities such as refueling, repairs, and data processing, thereby improving satellite performance and lifespan. For example, in May 2024, the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC), a UK-based government agency, reported that the number of active satellites in orbit had surpassed 9,000 as of April 2024, with projections suggesting that by 2030, there could be over 60,000 active satellites in space. Consequently, the growing 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 companies operating 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 2025. The regions covered in the orbital infrastructure 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 reshaping the orbital infrastructure market by increasing costs for satellite components, launch vehicle materials, and ground-station electronics, thereby tightening margins across commercial, government, and military segments. The most affected regions include North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, where cross-border sourcing of propulsion systems, antennas, and electronic subsystems is common, particularly impacting communication and Earth-observation applications. While tariffs slow deployment schedules and raise procurement costs, they also stimulate local manufacturing, domestic supply-chain development, and innovation in cost-efficient spacecraft and launch systems.

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.

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

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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