Space Wheel Market Report 2025

The space wheel market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.14 billion in 2024 to $1.33 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising demand for autonomous space vehicles, increasing emphasis on durability and reliability, greater adoption of electric and hydraulic hybrid systems, a surge in exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, and growing focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.

The space wheel market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.42 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the rising need for advanced maneuverability, increasing adoption of robotic systems, growing focus on precision control in harsh environments, expanding government funding for space missions, and the increasing commercialization of space travel. Major trends expected during this period include advancements in autonomous navigation systems, progress in hydraulic and electric hybrid propulsion, innovations in lightweight and durable materials, integration of artificial intelligence for control, and the development of energy-efficient wheel designs.

The increasing launch of satellites is expected to propel the growth of the space wheel market going forward. Satellites are artificial objects placed in orbit around Earth or other celestial bodies to support functions such as communication, weather monitoring, navigation, and scientific research. The surge in satellite launches is largely driven by the rising global demand for improved communication and internet connectivity. Space wheels play a crucial role in satellites by providing reliable support for movement and positioning in orbit, ensuring smooth operations, minimizing mechanical wear, optimizing energy efficiency, and maintaining precise orientation in harsh space environments. For instance, in September 2022, according to the Government Accountability Office, a US-based government agency, around 5,500 satellites were actively orbiting Earth, with projections of an additional 58,000 launches by 2030. Therefore, the increasing number of satellite launches is driving the growth of the space wheel market.

The increasing investments in space exploration are expected to propel the growth of the space wheel market going forward. Space exploration investments refer to the rising allocation of government and private sector funding toward advancing missions, technologies, and infrastructure in outer space. This growth is largely driven by the demand for advanced satellite technologies, as next-generation satellites are being developed for communication, navigation, Earth observation, and scientific research. Investments in space exploration directly support the development of space wheels by enabling the research, technology, and funding required to build sustainable orbital habitats and transportation systems. For instance, in June 2024, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a New Zealand-based government department, the UK committed approximately USD 12.5 billion (£10 billion) to space programs over a decade starting in 2023, with USD 3.75 billion (£3 billion) allocated in the 2023 spending review. Therefore, increasing investments in space exploration are driving the growth of the space wheel market.

In October 2024, Lockheed Martin Corp, a US-based aerospace and defense company, acquired Terran Orbital for approximately \$450 million. Through this acquisition, Lockheed Martin seeks to leverage Terran Orbital’s expertise in low-cost, automated satellite manufacturing to strengthen both military and commercial satellite production, while enabling Terran Orbital to continue serving as a merchant supplier for the broader space industry. Terran Orbital Corporation is a US-based aerospace and defense company that specializes in providing reaction wheels.

Major players in the space wheel market are Airbus Defense And Space SAS, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Collins Aerospace, Thales Alenia Space, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Wittenstein SE, Aspina Group, Rocket Lab USA Inc., Millennium Space Systems Inc., Tamagawa Seiki Co. Ltd., Hyperion Technologies, Blue Canyon Technologies, Tensor Tech, Bradford Space, Comat, Berlin Space Technologies GmbH, Astro- Und Feinwerktechnik Adlershof GmbH, Newspace Systems Limited, Vectronic Aerospace GmbH.

North America was the largest region in the space wheel market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in space wheel report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the space wheel 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.

A space wheel is a rotating structure designed to create artificial gravity through centrifugal force in low-gravity environments. It is typically envisioned as part of orbital habitats or spacecraft to support long-duration human missions. By spinning, the wheel simulates gravity, helping occupants maintain physical health and stability, perform daily activities more naturally, and reduce the adverse effects of prolonged weightlessness on muscles and bones.

The primary types of space wheels include attitude control wheels and reaction wheels. Attitude control wheels are spacecraft mechanisms that precisely adjust orientation by varying wheel speeds, allowing for energy-efficient instrument pointing without the need for thrusters. These wheels are manufactured using materials such as aluminum, composite materials, steel, and others. Mounting types can include ground-mounted or building-mounted systems. Space wheels are applied in areas such as space research, commercial space travel, and satellite deployment, and are used by end users including government agencies, private space enterprises, research institutions, and others.

The space wheel market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides space wheel market statistics, including space wheel industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the space wheel market share, space wheel market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the space wheel industry. This space wheel 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 space wheel market consists of sales of observation wheels, passenger capsules or gondolas, lighting systems, control systems, and structural components. 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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