Satellite Command and Control System Market

Market Overview

The global satellite command and control system market size was valued at USD 21.96 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 32.13 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.62% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

Satellites and other space systems are used in various ever-expanding application fields. In recent years, satellites have found extensive usage in multiple industries, including meteorology, agribusiness, environmental protection, and national security. Satellites are categorized as communication, navigation, research, meteorological, Earth observation, or military satellites, depending on their intended use. It takes monitoring to keep them working once they are launched into orbit. A Command and Control (C2) system that supports the operations, maintenance, and control of space systems can be used to monitor and operate these systems.

The satellite command and control system includes space-based solutions and terrestrial segments. These two entities support keeping in touch with the satellite and issuing commands dependent on the mission type. They also provide satellite telemetry, attitude control, monitoring, and monitoring and controlling ground equipment. A single-purpose on-orbit satellite's operational success depends on satellite command and control systems. All essential components must be present and able to adjust to any unforeseen circumstances to give a stable architecture.

Highlights

• L and S band dominates the frequency bands segment
• Satellite telemetry dominates the application segment
• Commercial dominates the end-user segment
• North America is the highest shareholder in the global market

Market Dynamics

Global Satellite Command and Control System Market Drivers

Rising Number of Launches of Small Satellites

Small satellite use has drastically increased over conventional satellite use in recent years. The market has been witnessing a trend from using small satellites for one-time stints to their regular use in satellite constellations. Rapid growth in small satellite constellations is expected to add more than 5,000 satellites by around 30 small satellite operators over the coming five years. This would boost the growth of the market in the coming years. In 2020, the number of satellite launches was 1,050, and it is expected to reach 3,045 in 2026 at a growth rate of 14.75% from 2021 to 2026. The development of small satellite constellations for various purposes, including navigation, the supply of global wireless internet networks, and telecommunication, is predicted to drive market growth and cause the small satellite market to have the most significant expansion.

Rising Usage of Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Components

COTS components offer high performance, power, and reliability and are less expensive than QML-certified radiation-hardened components. COTS components can quickly fulfill the demands for satellites for low costs and fast services. In addition, COTS components can be easily modified as per the requirement at an affordable rate. Modified COTS (MCOTS) components have a simple manufacturing process and can be quickly delivered using various technologies and processes. Moreover, COTS components are extensively used in space industries and show the scope and opportunity for use in other sectors.

COTS or MCOTS components have no flight heritage information, no radiation support, no traceability, and homogeneity due to their low cost and quick manufacturing options, resulting in a high cost of ownership in case of problems. Similarly, using COTS components provides radiation shielding without compromising the quality. They reduce the cost and development time of space-based smart sensors and electronics and have lower components and higher ownership costs. Therefore, such factors propel market growth.

Global Satellite Command and Control System Market Restraint

Potential Cyber Attacks on Satellites

An increasing number of satellites being launched raises concerns about potential cyber-attacks. Commercial satellites are extremely vulnerable to cyberattacks since no cybersecurity guidelines or laws exist in the U.S. or anywhere. Hackers can shut satellites down and cut off access to their services. Hackers could also jam or spoof satellite signals, creating chaos for critical infrastructure. Additionally, some new satellites are using thrusters that will enable them to increase and decrease their speeds and change directions in space. If hackers can control these steerable satellites, the aftereffects could be disastrous. They could alter the satellites' orbits and collide with other satellites or even the International Space Station. Such factors restrict market expansion.

Global Satellite Command and Control System Market Opportunities

Component Miniaturization Enabling Development of Low-Cost Small Satellites

Recent evolutions in the miniaturization of space components have led to the efficacious integration of small platforms, short production cycles, and reduced satellite launch costs. These advances provide affordable and fast access to space. In addition, many companies, including Sky and Space Global, Spire Global, Astrocast, Hiber, and Fleet Space, have entered the satellite market in recent years, spurred on by the significant technical downsizing that enables the development of affordable and compact solutions.

Furthermore, satellites are becoming more effective, smaller, and less expensive because of advances in global information networks and electronic information management systems. For example, due to the miniaturization of the components, scalable propellant tanks, integrated thrusters and feeding systems, and micro nozzles are enabled with a compact design in a satellite. Over the past years, remarkable progress has been made in increasing a satellite's solar cell efficiency. In addition, satellites are becoming more effective, smaller, and less expensive because of advances in global information networks and electronic information management systems. Such developments around subsystems facilitate the inclusion of multiple solutions in small sizes without compromising the efficiency and effectiveness of the satellite operations, creating opportunities for market growth.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global satellite command and control system market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest-of-the-World.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global satellite command and control system market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.88% over the forecast period. Due to the increasing number of satellite constellations built over the next ten years, the market for satellite command and control systems is anticipated to expand dramatically in the future years. Significant industry players such as Raytheon Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris Technologies, and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., within the region and programs by the government and military players are paving the way to propel market opportunities.

Additionally, the continuous technological advancement by significant satellite industry players contributes to the market's expansion. For instance, in 2019, Lockheed Martin launched a new generation of space technology that enabled satellites to change their missions in orbit. This new technology, SmartSat, is a software-defined satellite architecture that will increase payload capability on several revolutionary nanosats ready for launch.

Europe is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.35% over the forecast period. Europe comprises regional markets of Germany, the U.K., France, and Germany. Another prominent national space agency in this region is the European Space Agency (ESA). This federal space agency has been engaged with various space companies to enhance the space industry. European Space Agency is one of the central space agencies in the world. This agency supports several European countries engaged in space activities and has long-term engagements with several European space companies, thereby providing grants to these companies. Additionally, in March 2021, the European Commission selected Airbus to study spacecraft manufacturing in space through the Horizon 2020 Programme. Under the Horizon 2020 Programme I, Airbus carried out its PERIOD (PERASPERA In-Orbit Demonstration) project, which centralizes satellite assembly and manufacturing in orbit.

Asia-Pacific comprises the key regional markets of China, Japan, and India. The space sector in Asia-Pacific is significantly growing, owing to the increased involvement of the countries in several space programs. The region also has a dedicated forum, the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), established in 1993 to increase space activities in the Asia-Pacific region. Other Asia-Pacific countries such as Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, and South Korea are developing and enhancing their space capabilities, from building launch vehicles to satellite manufacturing. For instance, in 2017, the Vietnam National Space Centre (VNSC) revealed that by 2022, the country would develop and manufacture its satellites. In addition, Indonesia is one of the nations that created the Indonesian Space Act, a National Space Law adopted in 2013. This law focuses on space science, remote sensing, the development of aerospace technology, and the launch and commercialization of space activities.

Segmental Analysis

The global satellite command and control system market is bifurcated into frequency bands, solutions, orbit, satellite mass, applications, and end-user.

Based on frequency bands, the global satellite command and control system market is bifurcated into Ka, Ku, and K bands, C and X bands, and S and L bands. 

The L and S-Band segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 4.20% over the forecast period. Most of the satellite command and control systems are located in the L and S bands. Due to dynamics, these frequency bands provide strong protection against weather effects and relatively low impact. Both are favorable for satellite command and control, provided the criticality of contacting a satellite at any time, irrespective of weather. The dynamics' impacts can be mitigated with the knowledge of the system position, navigation, and timing (PNT).

Based on the solution, the global satellite command and control system market is divided into hardware and software components. 

The hardware segment contributes to the highest market share and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.01% over the forecast period. Regarding hardware, the satellite command and control system market has been categorized into space-based and ground-based solutions. The satellite command and control hardware solutions are used for managing a single satellite, multiple satellites, or constellation, monitoring spacecraft health and safety, providing satellite telemetry and commanding, along with ground equipment monitoring and control, delivering digital processing and network connectivity required between the command and control (C2) system and the RF signal processing equipment and control the attitude of a satellite.

Based on orbit, the global satellite command and control system market is divided into low earth orbit (LEO), medium earth orbit (MEO), geostationary earth orbit (GEO), and deep space and interplanetary missions. 

The LEO segment is the most significant contributor to the market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.47% over the forecast period. LEO is considered 160-2,000 kilometers above the Earth's surface. The manufacturing process and technology used for LEO-based satellites are substantially different from those for others, as providing backhaul services through Gbps is highly expensive, and latency below 50 ms can only be achieved with the launch of LEO constellations. The trend of small satellite launches such as micro, nano, pico, and small in the LEO region provides a cost-efficient structure, and these satellites are compact with optimum features.

Based on satellite mass, the global satellite command and control system market is divided into -10kg, 11-200kg, 201-1,200kg, 1,201-2,200kg, and >2,201kg. 

The 201-1,200kg segment is the largest contributor to the market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.17% over the forecast period. Satellites with a mass between 201 kg and 1,200 kg are classified as mini and small satellites. The small satellite industry has noticed a change in the trend toward more frequent use of satellite constellations over the last few years. Based on low power consumption, low mass, and low cost of architectural requirements, mini and small satellites have been assuring fast and affordable access to space. This is expected to advance the growth of the satellite command and control system market in the coming years.

Based on application, the global satellite command and control system market is bifurcated into satellite attitude control, satellite monitoring and tracking, satellite telemetry, and ground equipment monitoring and control. 

The satellite telemetry segment owns the highest market share and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 4.13% over the forecast period. Data collection, processing, and transmission from the satellite to the ground are all made possible through telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C) subsystem. Telemetry is the collection of measurements and onboard instrument readings required to deduce the health and status of all the subsystems on the satellite.

Based on the end-user, the global satellite command and control system market is bifurcated into commercial, military, and government. 

The commercial segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.19% during the forecast period. Commercial end-users for satellite command and control systems include satellite manufacturers and companies that use ground stations to monitor and track their satellites. For instance, in June 2020, NewSpace Systems was chosen by Hemeria to provide several of the attitude determination and control system (ADCS) products for the Kinéis constellation.

Recent Developments

• May 2022- BlueHalo was awarded a USD 1.4 billion, eight-year contract by the Space Rapid Capabilities Office to add communications capacity to the terrestrial network used by the U.S. military to command and control its satellites.

• February 2023- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and the Air National Guard (ANG), with joint support from the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and U.S. Air Force (USAF), conducted flight tests on an MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) equipped with a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications (SATCOM) Command and Control system. This revolutionary capability enables pole-to-pole operations for GA-family ASIs of RPA, including the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®, MQ-A Reaper, and Gray Eagle 25M.