A quick peek into the report
Table of Contents
1 Market Dynamics
1.1 Drivers
1.1.1 Increasing Capability of Electronics and Communication Technology
1.1.2 Addition of Reconfigurable Computing in Reconfigurable Satellite Payloads
1.1.3 Increasing Demand for Autonomous Satellites in Deep Space Missions
1.2 Challenges
1.2.1 Technical Challenges to Attain Integrated Satellite-Terrestrial Network
1.2.2 Vulnerability to Cyber Attacks
1.3 Opportunities
1.3.1 Flexibility to Alter Space Missions
1.3.2 Data Analytics: An Extended Capability of Software-Defined Satellite
2 Competitive Insights
2.1 Key Market Strategies and Developments
2.1.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Business Contracts
2.1.2 Product Launches
2.1.3 Other Developments
2.2 Market Share Analysis
2.2.1 Market Share Analysis by Software-Defined Satellite Manufacturers
2.2.2 Market Share Analysis by Software-Defined Satellite Operators
3 Industry Analysis
3.1 Evolution of Software-Defined Satellite
3.2 Comparative Study of Software-Defined Satellite Over Conventional Satellites
3.3 Product Mapping Analysis: Software-Defined Satellite
3.4 Ongoing Space Agency Programs
3.5 Commercial Investment Scenario for Software-Defined Satellite
3.6 Assessment of Software-Defined Satellite Architecture
3.6.1 Network Function Virtualization
3.7 Patent Analysis
3.8 Supply Chain Analysis
3.9 Value Chain Analysis
4 Global Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
4.1 Assumptions and Limitations
4.2 Market Overview
5 Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by End User)
5.1 Market Overview
5.2 Commercial
5.3 Government and Defense
5.4 Academic
6 Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Mass)
6.1 Market Overview
6.2 Heavy Software-Defined Satellites
6.3 Large Software-Defined Satellites
6.4 Medium Software-Defined Satellites
6.5 Small Software-Defined Satellites
7 Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Orbit)
7.1 Market Overview
7.2 Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO)
7.3 Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
7.4 Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
8 Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Technology)
8.1 Market Overview
8.2 Reconfigurable Payload
8.3 Software-Defined Radio (SDR)
8.4 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud Computation
9 Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Subsystem)
9.1 Market Overview
9.2 Payload
9.2.1 Global Software-Defined Satellite Payload Market (by Subcategory), 2018-2030
9.2.1.1 Earth Observation
9.2.1.2 Communication
9.2.1.3 Navigation
9.3 Structure
9.4 Telecommunication
9.4.1 Global Software-Defined Satellite Telecommunication Market (by Subcategory), 2018-2030
9.4.1.1 Antenna
9.4.1.2 Transponder
9.4.1.3 Others
9.5 On-Board Computer
9.6 Attitude Control System
9.7 Power System
9.7.1 Global Software-Defined Satellite Power System Market (by Subcategory), 2018-2030
9.7.1.1 Solar Cells
9.7.1.2 Batteries
9.7.1.3 Others
9.8 Propulsion System
9.8.1 Global Software-Defined Satellite Propulsion System Market (by Subcategory), 2018-2030
9.8.1.1 Thrusters
9.8.1.2 Propellant Tank
9.8.1.3 Valves and Regulators
9.8.1.4 Other
10 Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Service)
10.1 Market Overview
10.2 Software as a Service
10.3 Platform as a Service
11 Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Region)
11.1 Market Overview
11.2 North America
11.2.1 North America Software-Defined Satellite Market (by End User)
11.2.2 North America Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Country)
11.2.2.1 U.S.
11.2.2.2 Canada
11.3 Europe
11.3.1 Europe Software-Defined Satellite Market (by End User)
11.3.2 Europe Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Country)
11.3.2.1 The U.K.
11.3.2.2 France
11.3.2.3 Russia
11.3.2.4 Rest-of-Europe
11.4 Asia-Pacific
11.4.1 Asia-Pacific Software-Defined Satellite Market (by End User)
11.4.2 Asia-Pacific Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Country)
11.4.2.1 China
11.4.2.2 Japan
11.4.2.3 Rest-Of-Asia-Pacific
11.5 Rest-of-the-World (RoW)
11.5.1 Rest-of-the-World (RoW) Software-Defined Satellite Market (by End User)
12 Company Profiles
12.1 ADASpace (Chengdu Guoxing Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd)
12.1.1 Company Overview
12.1.2 Role of ADASpace in Global Software-Defined Satellite Market
12.1.3 SWOT Analysis
12.2 AIKO Space
12.2.1 Company Overview
12.2.2 Role of AIKO Space in Global Software-Defined Satellite Market
12.2.3 SWOT Analysis
12.3 Airbus
12.3.1 Company Overview
12.3.2 Role of Airbus in Global Software-Defined Market
12.3.3 Financials
12.3.4 SWOT Analysis
12.4 Eutelsat
12.4.1 Company Overview
12.4.2 Role of Eutelsat in the Global Software-Defined Satellite Market
12.4.3 Financials
12.4.4 SWOT Analysis
12.5 Harris Corporation
12.5.1 Company Overview
12.5.2 Role of Harris Corporation in Global Software-Defined Satellite Market
12.5.3 Financials
12.5.4 SWOT Analysis
12.6 Lockheed Martin Corporation
12.6.1 Company Overview
12.6.2 Role of Lockheed Martin Corporation in Global Software-Defined Satellite Market
12.6.3 Financials
12.6.4 SWOT Analysis
12.7 MAXAR Technologies Inc.
12.7.1 Company Overview
12.7.2 Role of MAXAR Technologies in Global Software-Defined Satellite Market
12.7.3 Financials
12.7.4 SWOT Analysis
12.8 Northrop Grumman Corporation
12.8.1 Company Overview
12.8.2 Role of Northrop Grumman Corporation in Global Software-Defined Market
12.8.3 Financials
12.8.4 SWOT Analysis
12.9 NVIDIA
12.9.1 Company Overview
12.9.2 Role of NVIDIA in Global Software-Defined Satellite Market
12.9.3 Financials
12.9.4 SWOT Analysis
12.10 SES S.A.
12.10.1 Company Overview
12.10.2 Role of SES S.A. in Global Software-Defined Satellite Market
12.10.3 Financials
12.10.4 SWOT Analysis
12.11 Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL)
12.11.1 Company Overview
12.11.2 Role of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) in Global Software-Defined Satellite Market
12.11.3 SWOT Analysis
12.12 Thales Group
12.12.1 Company Overview
12.12.2 Role of Thales Group in Global Software-Defined Satellite Market
12.12.3 Financials
12.12.4 SWOT Analysis
12.13 The Boeing Company
12.13.1 Company Overview
12.13.2 Role of The Boeing Company in Global Software-Defined Satellite Market
12.13.3 Financials
12.13.4 SWOT Analysis
12.14 Vector Launch, Inc
12.14.1 Company Overview
12.14.2 Role of Vector Launch, Inc in Global Software-Defined Satellite Market
12.14.3 SWOT Analysis
12.15 Other Key Players
12.15.1 Capella Space
12.15.2 GomSpace A/S
12.15.3 Inmarsat
12.15.4 Spire Global
12.15.5 Telesat
12.15.6 UrtheCast
13 Research Scope and BIS Methodology
13.1 Scope of the Report
13.2 Global Software-Defined Satellite Market Research Methodology
14 Appendix
14.1 Related Reports
Table 2.1: Some of the Organic and Inorganic Growth Strategies Adopted by the Key Players
Table 3.1: Traditional Satellite System vs. Software-Defined Satellite System
Table 3.2: Product Mapping Analysis: Software-Defined Satellite
Table 3.3: Significant Patents Granted for Software-Defined Technology in the period 2017-2019
Table 5.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by End User), 2018-2030
Table 6.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Mass), 2018-2030
Table 7.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Orbit), 2018-2030
Table 8.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Technology), 2018-2030
Table 9.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Subsystem), Value ($Million), 2018-2030
Table 11.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market Size (by Region), 2018-2030
Table 11.2: North America Software-Defined Satellite Market Size (by End User), 2018-2030
Table 11.3: Europe Software-Defined Satellite Market Size (by End User), 2018-2030
Table 11.4: Asia-Pacific Software-Defined Satellite Market Size (by End User), 2018-2030
Table 11.5: Rest-of-the-World (RoW) Software-Defined Satellite Market Size (by End User), 2018-2030
Figure 1: Global Commercial GEO Satellite Orders, 2013 and 2018
Figure 2: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market Overview, 2018 and 2030
Figure 3: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by End User), 2018-2030
Figure 4: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Mass), 2018-2030
Figure 5: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Orbit), 2018-2030
Figure 6: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Technology), 2018-2030
Figure 7: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Subsystem), 2018 and 2030
Figure 8: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Region), 2018-2030
Figure 1.1: Software-Defined Satellite Market: Market Dynamics
Figure 1.2: Terrestrial-Satellite Network Architecture with Three Planes
Figure 1.3: Evolution in Data Analytics in Software-Defined Satellite Market
Figure 2.1: Percentage Share of Strategies Adopted by the Market Players, January 2015-August 2019 Total Developments = 21
Figure 2.2: Partnerships, Collaborations, and Business Contracts Adopted by Key Market Players, January 2015 - August 2019
Figure 2.3 Product Launches by the Key Market Players, January 2015 - August 2019
Figure 2.4: Other Developments, January 2015 - August 2019
Figure 2.5: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market: Market Share Analysis, 2018
Figure 2.6: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market: Market Share Analysis, 2018
Figure 3.1: Components in the Software-Defined Networking Satellite
Figure 3.2: Architecture of Network Function Virtualization in Software-Defined Satellite
Figure 3.3: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market, Number of Patents Granted, by Each Year from 2010-2019
Figure 3.4: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market, Patent Analysis by Major Companies, 2010-2019
Figure 3.5: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market, Key Patent Analysis by Region, 2010-2019
Figure 3.6 Software-Defined Satellite: Supply Chain Analysis
Figure 3.7: Software-Defined Satellite Market Value Addition, 2018
Figure 3.8 Software-Defined Satellite: Value Chain Analysis
Figure 3.9: Software-Defined Satellites: Manufacturing Cost Scenario with Respect to Different Subsystems
Figure 4.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 5.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by End User), 2018-2030
Figure 5.2: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Commercial End User) 2018-2030
Figure 5.3: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Government and Defence End User), 2018-2030
Figure 5.4: Global Software-defined Satellite Market (by Academic End User), 2018-2030
Figure 6.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Mass), 2018-2030
Figure 6.2: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Heavy Software-Defined Satellites), 2018-2030
Figure 6.3: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Large Software-Defined Satellites), 2018-2030
Figure 6.4: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Medium Software-Defined Satellites), 2018-2030
Figure 6.5: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Small Software-Defined Satellites), 2018-2030
Figure 7.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Orbit), 2018-2030
Figure 7.2: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by GEO Orbit), 2018-2030
Figure 7.3: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by MEO orbit) 2018-2030
Figure 7.4: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by LEO Orbit) 2018-2030
Figure 8.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Technology)
Figure 8.2: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Reconfigurable Payload Technology), 2018-2030
Figure 8.3: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Technology), 2018-2030
Figure 8.4: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud Computation Technology), 2018-2030
Figure 9.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Subsystem), 2018-2030
Figure 9.2: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Payload), Value ($Million), 2018-2030
Figure 9.3: Global Software-Defined Satellite Payload Market (by Subcategory), Value ($Million), 2018-2030
Figure 9.4: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Structure), Value ($Million), 2018-2030
Figure 9.5: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Telecommunication), Value ($Million), 2018-2030
Figure 9.6: Global Software-Defined Satellite Telecommunication Market (by Subcategory), Value ($Million), 2018-2030
Figure 9.7: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by On-board Computer), Value ($Million), 2018-2030
Figure 9.8: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Attitude Control System), Value ($Million), 2018-2030
Figure 9.9: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Power System), Value ($Million), 2018-2030
Figure 9.10: Global Software-Defined Satellite Power System Market (by Subcategory), Value ($Million), 2018-2030
Figure 9.11: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Propulsion System), Value ($Million), 2018-2030
Figure 9.12: Global Software-Defined Satellite Propulsion System Market (by Subcategory), Value ($Million), 2018-2030
Figure 10.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Service)
Figure 10.2: Opportunities around Platform-as-a-service
Figure 11.1: Classification of Global Software-Defined Satellite Market (by Region)
Figure 11.2: North America Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 11.3: The U.S. Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 11.4: Canada Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 11.5: Europe Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 11.6: The U.K. Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 11.7: France Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 11.8: Russia Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 11.9: Rest-of-Europe Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 11.10: Asia-Pacific Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 11.11: China Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 11.12: Japan Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 11.13: Rest-of-Asia-Pacific Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 11.14: Rest-of-the-World Software-Defined Satellite Market, 2018-2030
Figure 12.1: Share of Key Company Profiles
Figure 12.1: ADASpace – Product Offerings
Figure 12.2: SWOT Analysis – ADASpace
Figure 12.3: AIKO Space: Product Portfolio
Figure 12.4: SWOT Analysis – AIKO Space
Figure 12.5: Airbus - Product Offerings
Figure 12.6: Airbus – Financials, 2016-2018
Figure 12.7: Airbus – Business Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.8: Airbus – Region Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.9: Airbus: Research and Development Expenditure, 2016-2018
Figure 12.10: SWOT Analysis - Airbus
Figure 12.11: Eutelsat: Product Offerings
Figure 12.12: Eutelsat –Financials, 2016-2018
Figure 12.13: Eutelsat –Business Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.14: Eutelsat –Region Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.15: SWOT Analysis-- EUTELSAT
Figure 12.16: Harris Corporation – Product Offerings
Figure 12.17: Harris Corporation - Financials, 2016-2018
Figure 12.18: Harris Corporation - Business Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.19: Harris Corporation - Research and Development Expenditure, 2016-2018
Figure 12.20: SWOT Analysis – Harris Corporation
Figure 12.21: Lockheed Martin Corporation – Product Offerings
Figure 12.22: Lockheed Martin Corporation - Financials, 2016-2018
Figure 12.23: Lockheed Martin Corporation - Business Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.24: Lockheed Martin Corporation - Region Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.25: Lockheed Martin Corporation - Research and Development Expenditure, 2016-2018
Figure 12.26: SWOT Analysis – Lockheed Martin Corporation
Figure 12.27: MAXAR Technologies: Product Portfolio
Figure 12.28: MAXAR Technologies–Financials, 2016-2018
Figure 12.29: MAXAR Technologies –Business Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.30: MAXAR Technologies –Region Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.31: MAXAR Technologies – Research and Development Expenditure, 2016-2018
Figure 12.32: MAXAR Technologies - SWOT Analysis
Figure 12.33: Northrop Grumman Corporation: Product Offerings
Figure 12.34: Northrop Grumman Corporation - Financials, 2016-2018
Figure 12.35: Northrop Grumman Corporation - Business Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.36: Northrop Grumman Corporation - Region Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.37: Northrop Grumman Corporation – Research and Development Expenditure, 2016-2018
Figure 12.38: SWOT Analysis – Northrop Grumman Corporation
Figure 12.39: NVIDIA -- Product Offerings
Figure 12.40: NVIDIA – Financials, 2016-2018
Figure 12.41: NVIDIA – Business Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.42: NVIDIA – Research and Development Expenditure, 2016-2018
Figure 12.43: NVIDIA - SWOT Analysis
Figure 12.44: SES S.A. -- Product Offerings
Figure 12.45: SES S.A. –Financials, 2016-2018
Figure 12.46: SES S.A. –Business Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.47: SES S.A. –Region Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.48: SES S.A. : SWOT Analysis
Figure 12.49: Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL): Product Portfolio
Figure 12.50: SWOT Analysis – Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL)
Figure 12.51: Thales Group – Product Offerings
Figure 12.52: Thales Group - Financials, 2016-2018
Figure 12.53: Thales Group - Business Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.54: Thales Group - Region Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.55: Thales Group – Research and Development Expenditure, 2016-2018
Figure 12.56: SWOT Analysis – Thales Group
Figure 12.57: The Boeing Company – Product Offering
Figure 12.58: The Boeing Company - Financials, 2016-2018
Figure 12.59: The Boeing Company - Business Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.60: The Boeing Company - Region Revenue Mix, 2016-2018
Figure 12.61: The Boeing Company – Research and Development Expenditure, 2016-2018
Figure 12.62: SWOT Analysis – The Boeing Company
Figure 12.63: Vector: Product Offerings
Figure 12.64: SWOT Analysis – Vector Launch
Figure 13.1: Global Software-Defined Satellite Market Segmentation
Figure 13.2: Software-Defined Satellite Market Research Methodology
Figure 13.3: Secondary Data Sources
Figure 13.4: Top-Down and Bottom-up Approach
Figure 13.5: Software-Defined Satellite Market: Influencing Factors
Figure 13.6: Assumptions and Limitations
Market Overview
Global Software-Defined Satellite Market Forecast, 2019-2030
The software-defined satellite market analysis by BIS Research projects the market to grow at a significant CAGR of 14.81% by value and 14.85% by volume, during the forecast period from 2019 to 2030. Europe dominated the global software-defined satellite market in 2018. Major countries such as the U.K. and France are the most prominent countries in Europe in the software-defined satellite market. During the forecast period, the Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at the highest rate due to an increasing requirement of advanced satellite to attain sustainability.
Until few years ago, conventional satellites were the optimum solutions to provide space-based applications such as communication, earth observation, and navigation, among others. However, the competition has grown largely with high agility and technological advancements in terrestrial technologies, which has led to an impending need for advancement in satellite enabling flexibility in order to be agile and compatible with terrestrial network. This revolutionized the advent of software-defined satellites, which are capable to alter the satellite parameters, such as power, coverage, frequency, and bandwidth, while the satellite is in-orbit. This technology attempts to offer capabilities with regard to flexibility in reconfiguring the satellite in order to meet the changing demands of the end users.
The study provides a detailed analysis of 15 key players in the global software-defined satellite market, including SSTL, SSL, The Boeing Company, Airbus S.A.S, Harris Corporation, SES, Eutelsat, Intelsat, Inmarsat, Spire Global, AIKO Space, Maxar Technologies, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Thales Group, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Vector Launch, NVIDIA, and IBM, among others, in the company profiles section. This section covers business financials, company snapshots, key products and services, major developments, future programs (if any), and the individual SWOT analysis
Expert Quote
“Software-defined satellites are expected to emerge as a potential driver to uptake orders of commercial satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO). There has been a gradual decline in commercial GEO satellites from past four years, and the decline is anticipated to prolong during the coming years. This has led to tremendous technological betterment in satellite components by satellite manufacturers, wherein software-defined satellites are expected to emerge as a major technological advancement in this regard. These satellites are expected to change the market landscape of commercial GEO satellites over the coming years.”
Key Questions Answered in this Report
• What are the underlying structures resulting in the emerging trends within the software-defined satellite and technology industry?
• What will be the expected market value of the leading segments and sub-segments of the global software defined satellite market in 2019?
• What will be the expected competitive strength and market share analysis of software-defined satellite by operators and manufacturers?
• How key technologies such as Reconfigurable payload, AI and cloud computation, and software-defined radios (SDRs) will witness growth over the coming years?
• How is the analysis of software-defined satellite by orbit and by mass expected to help in future investments?
• How is the service market associated with software-defined satellites, i.e. software as a service and satellite as a service expected to emerge during the forecast period?
• How is each segment of the global software-defined satellite and technology market expected to grow during the forecast period and what is the expected revenue generated by each of the segments by the end of 2030?
• Which end users such as commercial, government and defence, and academic will witness the highest growth during the forecast period, 2019-2030?
• Which orbit among Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Obit (MEO) and Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) will dominate the market by 2030?
• How different mass categories including heavy software-defined satellite, large software-defined satellite, medium software-defined satellite, and small software-defined satellite will grow over the coming years?
• Which region among North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest-of-the-World, dominated the software-defined satellite market in 2018?
• Who are the current key players investing in software-defined satellites and technologies?
• What are the influencing factors that may affect the market share of the key players in the coming future?
• How is industry expected to evolve during the forecast period 2020-2030?
• What are the key development strategies which are implemented by the chief players to sustain the competitive market?
• What are the key strategies being adopted by major countries to accelerate research in software-defined satellites?
Report Description
Market Segmentation
Types of subsystems included in the scope for software-defined satellite are payload, structure, telecommunication, on-board computer, power system, and attitude control system. The support subsystem, known as the satellite bus, comprises structure, telecommunication, on-board computer, power system and attitude control system. However, the payload which is software-defined is considered as the central unit of a software-defined satellite, responsible for providing core functionality and purpose for a particular application. Payload subsystem dominated the software-defined satellite market in 2018 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period (2019-2030).
Software-defined satellites are utilized by various end users such as academic, commercial, and government. Academic end users are mainly the educational institutes and universities, which are developing their own software-defined satellites for space exploration and scientific research. Commercial end users basically comprise the commercial industries, such as oil and gas, mining, and agriculture, which are utilizing software-defined satellites for their product mapping and earth exploration. Government end users are primarily those space agencies which are operated by governments of different countries.
Software-defined satellites fall in different mass categories which includes heavy satellites, large satellites, medium satellites, and small satellites. Small software-defined satellite is currently the dominant segment in the market by volume in the market in 2018. The large-scale market penetration is due to deployment of Spire global small satellite constellations equipped with software-defined radios (SDRs) and small satellites for technology demonstration purpose.
This segment provides a detailed analysis on different types of orbits for software-defined satellites. The three orbits included in the scope of the report are Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO). In terms of number of software-defined satellites launches, LEO witnessed the highest number of launches in software-defined satellite market in 2018. The ongoing research activities around software-defined satellites for LEO is expected to support the software-defined satellite market growth in the orbit. Moreover, launching a satellite in LEO is convenient and suitable in the initial testing period. Companies like Kepler Communications, Iridium Communications, Inc., and Telesat are working on LEO-based models for software-defined satellites in response to Astranis, Airbus and SES, who are actively manufacturing GEO-based software-defined satellites.
Where conventional satellites were earlier tailored to comply with single mission requirements, satellite developers are gradually adapting the vision of software-defined satellite which can be reprogrammed and reconfigured, to allow a satellite to take up new applications and expand its performance. Different technologies such as reconfigurable payload, artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, and software-defined radio, embedded in the satellites allow them to be reconfigurable and flexible.
The software-defined satellite market is segregated by region under four major regions, namely North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest-of-the-World. Data for each of these regions (by end user and country) is also provided.
Key Companies in the Global Software-Defined Satellite Industry
The key market players in the global software-defined satellite market include SSTL, SSL, The Boeing Company, Airbus S.A.S, Harris Corporation, SES, Eutelsat, Intelsat, Inmarsat, Spire Global, AIKO Space, Maxar Technologies, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Thales Group, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Vector Launch, NVIDIA, and IBM, among others.
Global Software-Defined Satellite Market - Analysis and Forecast, 2019-2030
Focus on End User, Mass, Orbit Technology, Subsystem, and Services