Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle Global Market Report 2025

The orbital maneuvering vehicle market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.6 billion in 2024 to $1.84 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.3%. The growth in the historic period was driven by increasing demand for satellite servicing, expansion of satellite repositioning requirements, rising government and private investments in space infrastructure, growing focus on satellite sustainability, and a surge in small satellite constellation deployments.

The orbital maneuvering vehicle market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.21 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%. The growth in the forecast period is driven by growing private sector investment in reusable orbital transfer vehicle systems, increasing space exploration ambitions with lunar and Mars missions, expansion of mega-constellation deployments driving launch support needs, rising regulatory support and streamlined licensing for commercial space operations, and wider adoption of electric propulsion for efficiency. Key trends in the forecast period include advancements in reusable orbital transfer vehicle technology, development of electric propulsion systems for orbital maneuvering, integration of in-orbit refueling infrastructure and services, implementation of artificial intelligence-aided mission planning, and growth of public-private partnerships in orbital transfer vehicle development.

The increasing demand for satellite servicing is expected to drive the growth of the orbital maneuvering vehicle market. Satellite servicing involves in-orbit activities that extend satellite lifespan, improve functionality, or restore performance through tasks such as refueling, repairing, upgrading, and repositioning. The growing need for satellite servicing is primarily driven by the high cost and complexity of new satellite launches, making it more cost-effective for operators to maximize the lifespan of existing assets, ensure continuous service, and mitigate risks. Orbital maneuvering vehicles play a critical role in this process by enabling precise positioning, docking, and transport, enhancing the feasibility and effectiveness of satellite servicing. For example, in May 2025, the Satellite Industry Association (SIA), a US-based trade group, reported a record 259 launches, deploying 2,172 tons and 2,695 satellites into Earth orbit, with the US capturing 65% of the global launch market. In comparison, the global space economy grew by 4% in 2024, with the commercial satellite sector accounting for 71% of all space activity. As such, the increasing demand for satellite servicing is driving the expansion of the orbital maneuvering vehicle market.

Leading companies in the orbital maneuvering vehicle market are focusing on technological innovations such as microwave electrothermal thrusters (METs) to improve propulsion safety, maneuverability, and mission flexibility. METs use microwaves to heat and ionize water into plasma, which is then expelled to generate thrust. This provides a safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional chemical propulsion systems, enabling orbital maneuvering vehicles to adjust orbits, reposition satellites, and enhance mission reliability. For example, in May 2023, Momentus Inc., a US-based provider of orbital maneuvering and in-space transportation solutions, completed the first orbit raise of its Vigoride-5 spacecraft using MET propulsion. This milestone marked the first time a spacecraft adjusted its altitude using this innovative propulsion system in space. It demonstrated the system’s ability to adjust orbital parameters, support satellite repositioning, and enhance mission flexibility. The Vigoride-5, equipped with MET propulsion, showcases the ability to perform controlled orbital maneuvers, enabling more flexible satellite deployments and improving mission reliability in in-space transportation.

In June 2023, Firefly Aerospace, a US-based launch vehicle and space transportation company, acquired Spaceflight Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition allowed Firefly Aerospace to expand its on-orbit service offerings, enhance its capabilities in last-mile space transportation, and strengthen its satellite deployment solutions by integrating Spaceflight’s proven orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) technologies and mission experience. Spaceflight Inc., a US-based space transportation company, is known for its orbital maneuvering services, particularly through its Sherpa family of orbital transfer vehicles.

Major players in the orbital maneuvering vehicle market are The Boeing Company, Blue Origin, Moog Inc., Rocket Lab Corporation, Impulse Space, Firefly Aerospace Inc., D-Orbit S.p.A., Starfish Space, Astroscale Holdings Inc., Exotrail, Quantum Space, Space Machines Company, Skyrora, TransAstra, Epic Aerospace, Bellatrix Aerospace, Argo Space, UARX Space, Momentus, Liftero, and Lúnasa Space.

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

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.

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

An orbital maneuvering vehicle (OMV) is a spacecraft designed to operate independently in orbit, equipped with its own propulsion and guidance systems. Its primary purpose is to transport, deploy, retrieve, or service satellites and other payloads, thereby enhancing the capabilities of space shuttles and stations. By performing precise orbital adjustments, OMVs enable efficient satellite maintenance, assembly, and repositioning without requiring full shuttle missions.

The primary types of orbital maneuvering vehicles are manned and cargo-carrying. Manned vehicles are designed to safely transport astronauts or crew between orbital platforms or spacecraft and are equipped with life support, navigation, and safety systems. These vehicles can be either expendable or reusable and operate in various orbit types, including geostationary Earth orbit (GEO), highly elliptical orbit (HEO), low Earth orbit (LEO), and medium Earth orbit (MEO). They employ propulsion systems such as chemical, electric, or hybrid propulsion and are used in applications including crew transfer, debris removal, research missions, satellite deployment, and satellite servicing.

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

The orbital maneuvering vehicle market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as orbital transfer, in-orbit inspection, space cargo delivery, mission support operations, satellite retrieval, and in-orbit assembly. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The orbital maneuvering vehicle market also includes sales of docking systems, autonomous navigation modules, fuel transfer modules, payload adapters, thermal control systems, and power generation units. 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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