Electric Propulsion Systems Market

Market Overview

The global electric propulsion systems market share is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.33% during the forecast period (2021–2030). 

Electric propulsion (EP) is a type of space propulsion that uses electricity to accelerate a propellant using various electrical and/or magnetic techniques. Compared to conventional chemical thrusters, the EP thrusters' propulsive performance improved using electrical power. Electric propulsion, unlike chemical methods, requires extremely little bulk to accelerate a spaceship. The propellant is expelled up to twenty times quicker than in a traditional chemical thruster, resulting in a far more mass-efficient overall system.

Compared to chemical propulsion, electric propulsion has no energy limitations and is only restricted by the amount of electrical power available onboard the spaceship. EP is therefore well suited to low-thrust (micro and mill newton) long-duration applications onboard spacecraft. EP thrusters employ a variety of propellants, including rare gases (such as xenon or argon), liquid metals, and, in some situations, conventional propellants.

Market Dynamics

Increasing Expenditure on Space Activities to Fuel the Demand for Electric Propulsion Systems Industry

The global market has seen a tremendous increase in space activity. Several governments throughout the world have been investing large sums of money in different space initiatives, including satellite and spacecraft launches for plant observation, exploration, communications, weather monitoring, and military, among other things. More than 1,280 satellites will be deployed throughout the world in 2020.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, by the end of April 2021, more than 850 satellites will be launched. Global government spending was more than USD 70.9 billion in 2018, up more than 5.7 percent from the previous year. The total amount spent in 2015 was USD 62.5 billion.

The development of smaller CubeSats has enabled end-users to launch many satellites in a single flight, resulting in a rapidly expanding number of satellite launches. Previously, single-flight launches of either one or two satellites were the norm. ISRO plans to launch more than 100 satellites in a single mission in 2020. For countries that do not have their own space agency or launch capacity, this is a profitable possibility.

Availability of Substitutes to Hinder the Demand for Electric Propulsion Systems

Satellites and spacecraft employ a variety of propulsion systems, including electric propulsion. The global market is also swamped with a variety of other systems. Chemical propulsion systems, bipropellant propulsion systems, unified propulsion systems, and monopropellant hydrazine propulsion systems, according to our research, are some of the most popular options on the market.

End-users are utilizing these systems in accordance with their applications' requirements. All of these technologies may be employed in a variety of applications, including small, medium, and large satellites and spacecraft. Electric propulsion, on the other hand, is fast growing in popularity due to its cost and operation advantages.

Which Are Future Key Opportunities in Market

Adoption of Advanced Technologies to Create Fresh Opportunities for Market of Electric Propulsion Systems

Satellites, for example, may assist broadcast information across large regions, enable instantaneous telecommunications, and create and send high-resolution photographs of specific sites of interest situated all over the world at the same time. Small satellites with faster development cycles and cheaper deployment costs have been developed thanks to the advent of miniaturized electronics and the increasing usage of smart manufacturing materials.

Due to the physical constraints of such spacecraft, the development and integration of strong yet compatible electric propulsion systems are encouraged to conduct orbital correction operations successfully. Several contracts for ongoing space missions are being granted. Strategic partnerships are formed to take advantage of shared competencies to respond to a changing market opportunity. For example, in October 2019, Accion was given USD 3.9 million as part of the Moon to Mars technology initiative.

Regional Analysis

Significant Growth in North America and Europe

Based on region, the market is divided into the following categories: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America, Middle East and Africa. On the other hand, North America is expected to dominate the global market due to a large number of space agencies in the region and a large amount of money spent on space-related activities.

North America is dominating the global electric propulsion systems market. In this regard, the United States has the largest market share. In 2017, the United States government spent more than USD 43 billion on space-related activities. With each passing year, the country's expenditure on such activities grows in proportion to the amount of money spent.

The reasons listed below are some of the most important ones that are driving the growth of the electric propulsion systems market in the region:

• NASA planned to spend more than USD 22.5 billion on space activities in 2020, compared to around USD 19.8 billion in 2019.
• More than half of the total budget is spent on human space flight activities, with approximately 30% spent on robotic missions and scientific research. NASA spent more than USD 22.5 billion on space activities in 2019.

Europe is the second-largest market for electric propulsion systems after the United States. Manufacturers of electric propulsion systems have established a significant presence in the region. During the previous several years, the region has seen a substantial increase in the development of its system of governance. Until 2020, the area was heavily reliant on HET, GIE, and HEMPT technologies across a wide range of space operations. Artemis, SMART-1, GOCE, AlphaSat, Bepi Colombo, SmallGeo, NEOSat, and Electra are just a few of the space missions that have made use of electric propulsion systems, among many more.

• According to the latest data, the demand for EP in the region's telecommunications industry for commercial applications is steadily expanding.
• The European Space Agency (ESA), the National Space Agencies, and industry participants are collaborating to build a low-cost, high-performance extended-range (EP) system

Segmental Analysis

Based on type, the global electric propulsion systems industry is categorized into gridded ion engine, hall effect thruster, high-efficiency multistage plasma thruster, pulsed plasma thruster, and others being the most common. HET is a form of the electric propulsion system in which a powerful magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of travel is employed instead of a grid system. Electrons are trapped in an azimuthal hall current that circulates the circle of an annular ceramic channel due to the magnetic field created. The electron then ionizes the onboard propellant, resulting in the formation of ionized plasma.

It is necessary to accelerate the ionized plasma using an applied electric field to generate thrust, which is accomplished by creating exist velocity of up to 65,000 miles per hour. The contact between the downstream edge of the channel and the accelerating plasma, on the other hand, erodes the surrounding magnetic system, which is principally responsible for plasma generation.

The global market for spacecraft and satellites is divided into two categories based on their application. The satellite part of the market accounts for a large portion of the total. By 2030, it is predicted to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.68 %.

Recent Developments

• Airflow, an electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft business, has announced a cooperation with Pipistrel, the world's first and presently only type-certified electric airplane designer and manufacturer. Pipistrel will supply the motors, motor controllers, and batteries for Airflow's Distributed Electric Propulsion proof-of-concept aircraft as part of this agreement.
• BAE Systems announced Next-Generation Power and Propulsion System to Assist Marine Operators in Achieving Zero-Emissions Status.