Middle East and Africa CubeSat Market

Market Overview

The Middle East and Africa CubeSat market size was valued at USD 2 million in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 11 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 10.9% during the forecast period (2022-2031).

CubeSats are small satellites with a cubical shape and weigh less than 1 kilogram. Their dimensions are 10 cm3, making them about the same size as the ubiquitous Rubik's cube. Using a CubeSat as a single unit (1 U) or in multiple unit configurations (1 U, 2 U, 3 U, 6 U, and 12 U) is possible. CubeSats have aided in space launches for more than a decade. Launching missions into low-Earth orbit has become easier for commercial firms, nonprofits, and educational institutions thanks to low-cost alternatives.

Multiple scientific investigations and technological demonstrations can now be carried out in space using these miniaturized satellites in a timely, affordable, and very straightforward manner. CubeSats are widely used by scientists and engineers worldwide for space exploration. Due to their compact and lightweight design, CubeSats can be manufactured and tested quickly, making them a valuable and cost-effective resource for studying new technologies and ideas. 

Market Dynamics

Middle East and Africa CubeSat Market Drivers:

Favorable Size and Weight

The document that describes the characteristics of the nanosatellite class known as CubeSats is the CubeSat Design Specification (CSD), sometimes known colloquially as the CubeSat standard. Standard measurements are used to create CubeSats, which are 10 centimeters by 10 centimeters by 10 centimeters in size. Each unit is often built in the shape of a 1U, 2U, 3U, 6U, 12U, or other size configuration and weighs less than 1.33 kilograms. The popularity of CubeSats has increased significantly since its launch, which helps to overcome the obstacles to researching space.

Additionally, a CubeSat can be created and launched into orbit based on the requirements, adding very little to the overall expenditures compared to missions for traditional satellites. Because CubeSats are smaller than traditional satellites, this is the case. One CubeSat may be built relatively quickly, which is its main benefit. This benefit also exists along with the advantages brought on by lesser weight and size. A CubeSat can be created and placed in the desired orbit in less than eight months, whereas a conventional or large satellite takes five to fifteen years. Compared to a traditional or huge satellite, this is how long it takes. These elements are projected to fuel the worldwide CubeSat market's expansion during the projection.

Middle East and Africa CubeSat Market Restraints:

CubeSat Payload Capacity

CubeSats are low-cost alternatives launched into space more often for commercial and scientific purposes. Since CubeSats are built more quickly and inexpensively than traditional satellites, mission disaggregation is made possible and deployable structures and intricate systems are used less frequently. One of the main challenges to the variety of missions that Cubesats can perform is their capacity to carry payloads. Due to their compact size, CubeSats are subject to rigorous limitations on their payload capacity, propellant, and other subsystems. The amount of fuel necessary for missions requiring a higher V (impulse needed to make a maneuver) decreases the capacity available for scientific payloads and payloads intended to travel aboard the CubeSat. Due to their small interior volume, CubeSats cannot transport crucial subsystems required to carry out complicated missions. Because of their small size, CubeSats generate very little power. CubeSats come in sizes that are multiples of the conventional U cube (about 4 x 4 x 4 inches). The capacity or information that can be gathered is constrained by the CubeSats' lack of a propulsion system for on-orbit maneuvering, reliable attitude determination and control systems, and power generation.

Middle East and Africa CubeSat Market Opportunities:

Increased Demand for Space Data

The range and depth of services that satellites might be able to offer are virtually limitless. The need for satellite services, including telecommunication, navigation and positioning, vehicle monitoring, and surveillance for military, environmental, or public safety applications, is rising quickly globally. The greatest demand is anticipated from the telecommunications sector, which has been employing space for its operations for several years and is a crucial part of the global infrastructure for communications, commercial and government data transfer, and applications. Additionally, there is a rising need for data from Earth observation (EO) for various applications. For instance, environmental and scientific research and metrology are becoming increasingly dependent on data from Earth observation. The need to ensure safety in military operations and money transfer applications drives increased demand for data gathered from space. Throughout the timeframe under consideration, it is anticipated that the growing demand for space data will drive the demand for efficient CubeSats in terms of their cost.

Regional Analysis

Based on country, the market is segmented into GCC Countries, South Africa, Egypt, the Rest of the Middle East and Africa. The GCC Countries hold the major share of the market and are expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period. 

As a low-cost option for launching satellites and carrying out technical demos, scientific research, and other missions, CubeSats have drastically altered the space exploration industry. CubeSats have been widely used in various sectors, including commercial enterprises, government and military organizations, and nonprofit groups.

They are inexpensive for facilitating missions launched into low-Earth orbit by commercial firms, nonprofits, and academic institutions. Numerous scientific investigations and technology demonstrations are now feasible in space thanks to the miniaturization of satellites. Many scientists and engineers worldwide use CubeSats to further their space exploration efforts. Due to their compact size and lightweight, CubeSats are easily manufactured and tested, making them a cost-effective tool for investigating new technologies and concepts.

Segmental Analysis

The Middle East and Africa CubeSat market is segmented based on size and application.

Based on size, the market is categorized into 0.25U to 1U, 1 to 3U, 3U to 6U, 6U to 12U, and 12U and above.

The 1 to 3U holds the major share of the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period. Due to the need for greater volume and aperture, 1U to 3U CubeSats are quickly overtaking other types of satellites as the top option for usage in space missions by several manufacturers. A 3U CubeSat has more than three times the power and more pointing and communication capability than a 1U CubeSat. A 3U has a larger useable volume due to the size of standard mechanisms, connectors, and other components, and more room is available to install panels and antennas with higher packing factors. CubeSats are projected to play an important part in the widespread deployment of Internet of Things-based services. Several actors in this scenario are launching swarms of 0.25U satellites into space.

Based on application, the market is segmented into Earth Observation and Traffic Monitoring, Science, Technology and Education, Space Observation, and Communication.

Earth Observation and Traffic Monitoring holds the major share of the market and is expected to register a CAGR of 9.2% over the forecast period. Research on agriculture, geology, forestry, and the environment is vital for understanding and improving global living circumstances. Many CubeSats carrying various spectral, radiometric, and spatial sensors have been successfully launched over several years to fulfill Earth observation objectives.

These systems (or constellations) provide real-time data on the surface of the Earth, which is valuable for monitoring glacier melting rates, forest fires, food production losses, disaster damages, and toxic algal blooms. The features, constituents, and interactions of the atmosphere and space are increasingly studied using smaller satellites. NASA uses CubeSats and other small satellites for various scientific studies, including astrobiology and fundamental biological studies. The expansion of this market is a direct result of the government's rising investment in scientific study and experimentation.

Recent Developments

• February 2023- Vyoma has partnered with EnduroSat to enhance the safety of satellites in orbit, thereby making space safer. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding delineating how they will work together to enhance the sustainability of space activities.
• October 2022- Champaign-UrbanaUrbana Aerospace (CUA) has developed various innovative micro propulsion systems for future integration and flight on micro- and nanosatellites (also known as CubeSats). Avoiding collisions and deorbiting satellites substantially contribute to preventing the escalation of the orbital debris problem.
• November 2019- Tyvak was one of five companies selected to be eligible to bid for the NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS).