small sat

Approximately 510 small satellites worth $7.4bn are estimated to be launched in the next five years, according to research by Euroconsult.

The estimated launch of smallsats, including nanosats, cubesats, microsats and minisats, represents an increase of two-thirds in the average number of smallsats every year against that in the past ten years.

This includes 14 constellations of various sizes and capabilities, which represent a total of 140 satellites.

Of the 510 satellites, 75% will be for government civil and defence agencies as growth in government demand is estimated to be stronger compared to the commercial segment, which will represent 130 satellites.

Euroconsult principal advisor Rachel Villain said: "Large constellation projects such as those announced in 2014 by OneWeb and by SpaceX in association with Google have not been included in our forecasts / scenarios for launch by 2019.

"Over the past five years, the market is expected to remain strong with a 17% growth as decreases over time in prices and launch masses is offset by the number of satellites to be launched."

"Large constellation projects could, however, represent a very significant component of launches over the following five year period (2020-2024)."

Over the past five years, the market is expected to remain strong with a 17% growth as decreases over time in prices and launch masses is offset by the number of satellites to be launched.

The US is expected to be the largest country over the next five years and Europe as the second-largest region for smallsat deployment, Euroconsult said.

Russia, China and Japan, which launched an equal number of smallsats in the last decade, are expected to launch a lower number of satellites a year during the forecast period, compared to the past five years.

Growth in other Asian regions is expected to be strong, as more countries launch small satellites for national sovereignty, security, and technology.

Four Middle East countries will lead the smallsat development, and will launch 27 satellites, representing half of the satellites to be launched by the Middle East and Africa region, the report said.

Euroconsult is a privately-owned, independent firm specialising in space markets. It provides consulting, develops research, and organises executive-level annual summits for the satellite industry.

Image: ESTCube-1 1U CubeSat. Photo: courtesy of Erik Kulu, ESTCube-1 team.