Atmospheric Satellite Market Report 2026

The atmospheric satellite market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $10.9 billion in 2025 to $11.88 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to deployment of early earth observation satellites, adoption of high-precision sensors, growth in climate monitoring programs, technological improvements in propulsion and stabilization, increased international collaboration in satellite mission.

The atmospheric satellite market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.01 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to development of stratospheric platform-based satellites, adoption of miniaturized high-resolution sensor payloads, expansion in real-time atmospheric data services, integration with AI for predictive climate analytics, growth in commercial satellite weather monitoring. Major trends in the forecast period include advancement in atmospheric data modeling, rise in high-altitude persistent monitoring, growth in multi-sensor payload integration, increasing demand for climate and air quality insights, expansion of satellite-assisted disaster risk mapping.

The increasing demand for agricultural monitoring is expected to accelerate the growth of the atmospheric satellite market going forward. Agricultural monitoring refers to the use of technology to track crop health, soil conditions, and farming activities for improved productivity and efficiency. The rising demand for agricultural monitoring is due to the need for higher crop yields as farmers seek precise data to optimize farming practices and resource utilization. Atmospheric satellites address the growing need for agricultural monitoring by providing accurate real time data on weather, soil, and crop conditions to enhance overall farm management. For instance, in September 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS), a US based government agency, direct government farm program payments are projected to reach 40.5 billion dollars in 2025, marking a substantial increase of 30.4 billion dollars from the 10.1 billion dollars disbursed in 2024. Therefore, the increasing demand for agricultural monitoring is accelerating the growth of the atmospheric satellite market.

Leading companies operating in the atmospheric satellite market are emphasizing the development of advanced observation technologies, such as microwave radiometry, to enhance atmospheric monitoring and improve the precision of climate and weather analysis. Microwave radiometry is a sophisticated remote sensing method that detects naturally emitted microwave radiation from the Earth’s surface and atmosphere to determine key atmospheric variables, including water vapor, precipitation, and cloud liquid water, even in cloudy or unfavorable weather conditions. For instance, in June 2025, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), a Japan-based space agency, launched the Greenhouse Gases and Water Cycle Observation Satellite (GOSAT-GW), a next-generation atmospheric observation satellite equipped with the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR3). AMSR3 is designed to deliver highly accurate measurements of atmospheric water vapor, precipitation, and cloud characteristics. Through this technology, GOSAT-GW supports global water cycle monitoring, strengthens weather and climate modeling, advances climate change studies, and enables a deeper understanding of atmospheric processes and interactions.

In February 2024, BAE Systems plc, a UK-based aerospace and defense company, acquired Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, BAE Systems aims to strengthen its capabilities in space, science, and defense by integrating Ball Aerospace’s advanced expertise in satellite systems, instruments, and mission services. Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. is a US-based company that manufactures spacecraft, instruments, and sensors, including technologies for atmospheric and space-based observation.

Major companies operating in the atmospheric satellite market are Airbus SE, Maxar Technologies Holdings Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Thales Group, Raytheon Technologies, General Dynamics Corp., Honeywell International, Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, Planet Labs PBC, Saab AB, OHB System AG, SES S.A., Echostar Corporation, QinetiQ Group, Viasat, Virgin Orbit, Blue Canyon Technologies LLC, Loral Space & Communications, Thuraya Telecommunications Co., National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Telesat Corp., Oxford Space Systems, Astroscale, UAVOS, Ball Aerospace Corp., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Boeing Company, BAE Systems plc.

North America was the largest region in the atmospheric satellite market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the atmospheric satellite 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 on aerospace components, advanced sensors, and communication modules have increased manufacturing costs for atmospheric satellites, particularly affecting regions dependent on imported electronics such as Asia-Pacific and Europe. Segments involving imaging sensors, radiometers, and stratospheric platforms experience delays due to higher input prices and supply chain constraints. However, tariffs are also encouraging domestic production, stimulating local satellite manufacturing capabilities, and supporting innovation in cost-efficient atmospheric monitoring solutions.

The atmospheric satellite market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides atmospheric satellite market statistics, including atmospheric satellite industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a atmospheric satellite market share, detailed atmospheric satellite market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the atmospheric satellite industry. This atmospheric satellite 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 atmospheric satellite is a type of Earth-observing satellite designed to monitor and gather data on the planet’s atmosphere, including clouds, aerosols, gases, and weather systems. It supports scientific research by helping track storms, study climate change, and analyze environmental processes that influence air quality and global ecosystems.

The key types of satellites in atmospheric satellites include low Earth orbit satellites, medium Earth orbit satellites, geostationary satellites, and sun-synchronous orbit satellites. Low Earth orbit satellites are artificial satellites that operate at altitudes between approximately 160 and 2,000 kilometers and are widely used for imaging, Earth observation, communication, and scientific studies. The payload types include imaging sensors, radiometers, lidar systems, and sounding instruments. The orbit strategies consist of standalone satellites, satellite constellations, and multi-sensor satellite systems. The various applications include weather forecasting, climate monitoring, disaster management, agricultural monitoring, environmental monitoring, and air quality monitoring. These satellites are utilized by government agencies, research institutions, commercial enterprises, agriculture and forestry sectors, and telecommunications organizations.

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

The atmospheric satellite market consists of sales of high-altitude balloons, stratospheric platforms, sensor payloads, antennas, and propulsion systems. 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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