Space Services and Sustainability

Trend Analysis

🔺 Rising:

• Direct-to-Device Satellite Connectivity: Starlink, AST SpaceMobile, and Apple partnerships with carriers are bringing satellite connectivity directly to unmodified smartphones, reaching critical mass in commercial deployment with T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T launching services across multiple continents.
• Satellite IoT Integration: Low Earth Orbit constellations are rapidly expanding IoT applications through partnerships like Deutsche Telekom-Iridium and Blues-Iridium, with the satellite IoT market projected to grow from $4.2 billion to $12.2 billion by 2030.
• LEO Broadband Constellations: Starlink continues explosive growth with 7,000+ satellites serving 4.6 million users globally, while Amazon’s Project Kuiper and China’s Guowang constellations accelerate deployments to challenge market dominance.
• Space Debris Mitigation Standards: ESA’s Zero Debris approach and MIT’s Space Sustainability Rating system are driving industry-wide adoption of stricter disposal regulations, with post-mission deorbit timelines reduced from 25 to 5 years.
• Multi-Constellation GNSS: Navigation systems are integrating signals from GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and BeiDou for enhanced accuracy and resilience, with the GNSS market growing at 11.17% CAGR driven by autonomous vehicles and precision agriculture.

🔻 Declining:

• Satellite Television Broadcasting: Traditional direct-to-home satellite TV revenues declined nearly 20% since 2021 to $72.4 billion in 2024 as consumers shift to streaming platforms, dragging down overall satcom revenues.
• GEO-Only Satellite Solutions: Geostationary satellite operators face challenges as LEO constellations offer superior latency and user experience, forcing operators like Viasat to adapt strategies after the ViaSat-3 F1 antenna deployment failure.
• Standalone Satellite Terminals: The market shifts toward integrated hybrid solutions that seamlessly combine terrestrial cellular and satellite connectivity rather than requiring dedicated satellite-only equipment.

👀 Watch List:

• Regulatory Frameworks Evolution: The FCC’s supplemental coverage from space rules and the EU’s upcoming Space Law in 2025 will establish critical governance for megaconstellations and debris mitigation compliance across jurisdictions.
• China’s NTN Ambitions: China’s deployment of Qianfan (15,000 planned satellites), Guowang (12,992 satellites), and Honghu-3 (10,000 satellites) constellations represents a strategic push for global space-based connectivity leadership.
• Laser Communications Deployment: Optical inter-satellite links demonstrated by Space Development Agency and integrated into Telesat Lightspeed and Kepler constellations promise terabit-scale data transfer with enhanced security.
• Active Debris Removal Missions: ESA’s ClearSpace-1 and Astroscale’s ADRAS-J missions pioneering commercial space debris removal services to prevent cascading collision scenarios (Kessler Syndrome).
• 6G and Satellite Integration: The convergence of terrestrial 6G networks with NTN satellite layers for seamless connectivity, with China positioning hybrid architectures as foundational for industrial IoT and autonomous systems.

🧑‍💻 Expert’s View

The satellite services industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by LEO constellation economics and direct-to-device capabilities that eliminate the need for specialized equipment. We’re witnessing the democratization of space-based connectivity as Starlink’s 650+ Direct-to-Cell satellites enable standard smartphones to access satellite networks globally, fundamentally changing the value proposition for mobile network operators. However, this rapid expansion creates an existential sustainability challenge, with ESA reporting that even without new launches, space debris would continue growing due to fragmentations outpacing natural reentry. The industry now faces a critical inflection point where stricter mitigation standards and active debris removal capabilities must be deployed at scale to prevent orbital regions from becoming unusable. The convergence of satellite IoT, Earth observation, and navigation services into integrated platforms signals a maturing market where success depends not just on constellation size but on sustainable operations and multi-service capabilities.

🔮 Industry Outlook

Over the next two months, expect accelerated commercial launches of direct-to-device services as regulatory approvals expand beyond the U.S. and New Zealand to European and Asia-Pacific markets. Amazon’s Project Kuiper will likely begin initial service deployments, intensifying competition in the LEO broadband market and potentially driving price reductions. The EU Space Law introduction will establish precedent-setting compliance requirements for debris mitigation that non-EU operators must follow to serve European customers, potentially triggering a wave of industry-wide operational changes. China’s rapid constellation deployment will continue, with Qianfan potentially reaching 180 operational satellites by year-end, positioning the nation as a major NTN player. Watch for increased M&A activity in the satellite IoT sector as telecommunications giants partner with or acquire LEO operators to secure hybrid connectivity capabilities, while debris tracking and removal companies attract significant investment as sustainability becomes a competitive differentiator.

📰 Selected News Sources

The Future of Satellite Internet & Satellite Leaders of 2025 ↗

Low Earth orbit satellite internet has revolutionized global connectivity by dramatically reducing latency from the 600+ milliseconds typical of geostationary satellites to as low as 20-30 milliseconds. Starlink leads the market with nearly a complete constellation serving over 3 million users across 100+ countries, while OneWeb focuses on business partnerships with airlines, shipping companies, and government agencies. Amazon’s Project Kuiper represents a significant competitive threat with plans to deploy over 3,200 satellites by 2029, leveraging vast resources and existing cloud infrastructure. The integration of satellite technology with mobile devices through Direct-to-Cell service enables standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites without specialized hardware, expanding applications from remote work and telehealth to emergency communications during disasters.

LEO Satellite Internet Market Size, Share, Industry Report, 2025 To 2030 ↗

The global LEO and GEO satellite internet market is projected to grow from $14.56 billion in 2025 to $33.44 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 18.1%. While satellite television services continue declining, broadband revenues grew nearly 30% in 2024 to $6.2 billion, largely attributed to Starlink’s expansion serving millions of users globally. Consumer broadband subscribers are expected to increase from 6.2 million in 2025 to 15.6 million by 2030, driven by rising demand for high-speed internet in rural and remote locations. AI-controlled traffic management and smart network orchestration are pivotal in optimizing satellite resource usage and ensuring consistent connectivity. North America dominates with over 40% market share fueled by advanced infrastructure and government investments, while Rest of World regions are growing fastest at 22.1% CAGR due to strategic national broadband initiatives.

The Future of Satellite Internet: Starlink’s Role Explained ↗

Starlink’s LEO constellation provides download speeds of 50-220 Mbps with latency as low as 20-30 milliseconds, offering services in over 100 countries as of early 2025. The company is expanding its global rollout of satellite-to-mobile technology with plans for additional services including data and IoT in 2025. Starlink Business provides higher throughput with 24/7 priority support for corporate clients managing multiple locations. However, the service faces regulatory hurdles in various countries, with Italy delaying decisions on E-band spectrum allocation pending EU consensus. The increasing number of satellites raises concerns about space debris, collisions, and interference with astronomical observations, while bandwidth limitations in densely populated areas affect service quality. Competition intensifies as Amazon’s Project Kuiper plans first production satellite launches in early 2025, OneWeb completes its constellation through Eutelsat Group partnerships, and traditional providers like Viasat and Telesat develop their own LEO strategies.

The global satellite market is forecast to become seven times bigger ↗

Goldman Sachs Research forecasts the satellite market will grow from $15 billion currently to $108 billion by 2035 in their base case scenario, with optimistic projections reaching $457 billion. The acceleration is expected in 2025 as more players compete for frequency resources, with researchers estimating LEO can host approximately 10,000 satellites at most. Global satellite operators have submitted applications for 70,000 satellites for LEO launches between 2025-2031, with Chinese players accounting for roughly 53,000 of these planned launches. The ultimate mainstream use case is anticipated to be 6G communications, where satellites will supplement cell phone, broadband, maritime, and aviation data requirements. Key technological improvements include launch costs potentially falling to $100-200 per kilogram through full rocket reusability and larger payload capacities, plus enhanced bandwidth per satellite reducing the numbers required for constellation formation.

Earth Observation in 2024 and Outlook for 2025 ↗

The Earth observation market remains approximately two-thirds government-driven, with major 2024 contracts including $1.8 billion from the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office to SpaceX for spy satellites, $476 million from NASA for commercial data acquisition, and $290 million from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency for continuous global monitoring analytics. Public missions launched in 2024 included NASA’s PACE ocean monitoring, NOAA’s GOES-U weather satellite, ESA’s EarthCare climate mission, and EU’s Copernicus Sentinel-1C and 2C satellites. Private EO companies including Kuva Space, PierSight, and Maxar’s Legion constellation launched first satellites in 2024. Defense and intelligence sector revenue growth outpaced commercial market verticals for companies like Planet. The Landsat and Sentinel missions remain the gold standard benchmark despite the emergence of commercial EO satellites with advanced specifications, and significant work remains before commercial providers can replace publicly funded missions.

Earth Observation Portal Update: Launches, Satellites, Articles October 2024 - January 2025 ↗

Seven new Earth observation satellite launches occurred between October 2024 and January 2025, including Europa Clipper on October 14, Jilin-1 satellites on November 11, Copernicus Sentinel-1C on the Vega C launcher, Russia’s Ionosphera-M 1 and 2 on November 4, and Proba-3 on December 5 from India. Thirteen new thematic articles were added covering satellite gravimetry for measuring Earth’s gravitational field changes to monitor ocean circulation, glacial melt, and droughts. Digital twins are being developed for fields like agriculture, urban planning, and disaster monitoring, with examples including the Weather-Induced Extremes Digital Twin and Climate Change Adaptation Digital Twin as part of the EU Destination Earth initiative. These models integrate real-time data, dynamic forecasting, and impact assessments to explore multiple scenarios and inform decision-making, providing critical information for policymakers and emergency responders.

Satellite Earth Observation Market Size, share, Trends & Statistics by 2033 ↗

The global satellite Earth observation market is valued at $10.07 billion in 2025 and expected to reach $17.20 billion by 2033, growing at a 6.92% CAGR. High demand for applications in disaster management, agriculture, mapping, and natural resources survey drives rapid expansion. The market serves sustainable development and environmental management, with satellites monitoring ocean salinity, ice thickness, agricultural health, and air quality. North America dominates with the largest market share due to advanced aerospace infrastructure and defense investments. October 2021 saw the National Geospatial Agency award Maxar Technologies a contract for high-resolution imaging data to the U.S. Department of Defense. Satellites travel in various orbits providing different Earth views, though most cannot continuously collect data due to power and memory constraints, with download times dramatically improved from weeks to seconds through technological advances.

GNSS Market Size, Share, Growth | Industry Report [2025-2032] ↗

The GNSS market is growing at 11.17% CAGR from 2025-2032, driven by rising demand for location-based services, rapid adoption of autonomous vehicles and drones, and integration with 5G and IoT technologies. North America dominates with over 40% market share in 2024, fueled by advanced defense programs, high smartphone penetration, and strong adoption in automotive and aviation industries. The Indian Appliances and Consumer Electronics market is predicted to reach $17.93 billion by end of 2025, with GNSS chip-integrated smartphones widely used for geo-marketing, mapping, gaming, navigation, and location-based services. In January 2025, L3Harris Technologies received a U.S. Space Force contract to design concepts for the Resilient Global Positioning System program enhancing GPS resilience for military and civil users. GNSS technology finds applications in aviation, maritime, road transportation, precision agriculture, surveying, rail operations, and time synchronization for telecom and power grids.

Galileo, Europe’s own Global Navigation Satellite System ↗

Galileo provides positioning, navigation, and timing services to nearly four billion devices worldwide under civilian control, operating alongside GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou as one of four existing global systems. The constellation consists of satellites in three orbital planes at 23,222 km altitude in Medium Earth Orbit ensuring continuous 24/7 global coverage. Galileo is approximately four times more precise than GPS, with dual-frequency smartphone users benefiting from increased accuracy and signal robustness. The Emergency Warning Satellite Service expected to be operational in 2025 will enable National Civil Protection services to transmit disaster warnings directly through smartphones and navigation devices using Galileo infrastructure, providing rapid alerts within 60 seconds in remote areas or where networks are congested. The ground segment includes two control centers in Fucino, Italy and Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, plus the European GNSS Service Centre in Spain and Galileo Security Monitoring Centre facilities.

ESA Space Environment Report 2025 ↗

Approximately 35,000 tracked objects orbit Earth with only about 9,100 active payloads, leaving 26,000 debris pieces larger than 10 cm. The actual number of debris objects larger than 1 cm capable of causing catastrophic damage exceeds 1.2 million. ESA’s debris modeling shows that at around 550 km altitude there is now the same order of magnitude of debris objects posing threats as there are active satellites. The number of intact objects re-entering Earth’s atmosphere increased in 2024, with the big bump in re-entry numbers from the 2021 anti-satellite missile test fading while satellites re-entering due to improved debris mitigation guideline compliance is rising. Controlled launcher re-entries outnumbered uncontrolled ones for the first time in 2024. However, adherence to debris mitigation standards is slowly improving but insufficient to stop debris increase, as even without additional launches, fragmentation events add debris faster than natural atmospheric re-entry can remove it, necessitating active debris removal to prevent Kessler syndrome.

Deploying a practical solution to space debris ↗

Approximately 35,000 tracked human-generated objects orbit Earth with only one-third being active payloads, while the rest are debris including defunct satellites, spent rocket bodies, and fragmentation event detritus. An estimated 1 million objects over 1 cm exist in addition to tracked objects, regularly causing satellite damage and requiring International Space Station repositioning. MIT Associate Professor Danielle Wood’s team developed the Space Sustainability Rating system selected by the World Economic Forum in 2019, scoring space mission operators on launch and de-orbit plans, collision-avoidance measures, debris generation, and data sharing. The system launched in 2021 as an independent nonprofit, with Eutelsat Group becoming the first large constellation operator to receive a platinum rating exceeding 80% for exceptional sustainability in design, operations, and disposal practices. As of December 2024, SSR has also rated operators including OHB Sweden, Stellar, and TU Delft, providing incentives for reducing space debris and collision risk across the industry.

Orbital debris requires prevention and mitigation across the satellite life cycle ↗

Commercialization of space, falling launch costs, and megaconstellations are rapidly increasing satellites in Low Earth Orbit, exacerbating orbital debris risk as non-functional man-made objects accumulate. Measures recommended across the satellite life cycle include stronger regulations, fiscal and market-based interventions, multilateral institutions, and active debris removal. The U.S. banned direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing in 2022, while the Artemis Accords call for proper passivation and disposal, but these are undermined by FCC approval of 42,000 Starlink satellites exempt from environmental review despite 2022 Government Accountability Office recommendations. The European Union and ESA are global leaders in sustainability, with the EU planning 2025 Space Law requiring compliance from all companies providing services within its market including non-EU actors, covering rules from launch through collision avoidance, information sharing, and deorbiting. ESA’s Space Debris Mitigation Requirements aim for net-zero pollution strategy by 2030, with suggestions to extend protected regions beyond LEO and geostationary orbits to Medium Earth Orbits used by GNSS systems.

Momentum for Satellite Direct-to-Device Hits Critical Mass Heading into 2025 ↗

Direct-to-device technology and services hit critical mass in 2024 with high-profile real-life use cases during U.S. hurricane responses and increased public consciousness through new phone adoptions. Different approaches exist including Apple’s proprietary solution with dedicated Globalstar mobile satellite service spectrum access, Skylo’s standards-based approach to MSS, and SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile, and Lynk using supplemental coverage from space requiring mobile network operator partnerships and spectrum permission. The FCC’s adoption of first-of-its-kind supplemental coverage from space regulatory framework enables satellite operators to use terrestrial radio spectrum of mobile network operators to fill wireless coverage gaps, building momentum as regulatory bodies set foundations. One key question is whether Apple will make Starlink direct-to-cell service available on iPhones for MNOs globally, which could be very disruptive in the U.S. given iPhone popularity, as evidenced by Apple devices not being listed for New Zealand’s One NZ nationwide Starlink messaging service.

Satellite-to-smartphone services to take off in 2025 ↗

Revenue from direct-to-cellphone satellite connectivity is predicted by CCS Insight to grow from virtually nothing today to about $16.8 billion by 2028, overtaking satellite broadband’s $13.3 billion and far exceeding IoT connectivity’s one billion. The FCC has given Starlink conditional authorization to operate its service with T-Mobile, demonstrating phone-to-phone video calls using satellites and unmodified smartphones in May. Starlink has agreed to one year exclusivity with T-Mobile before opening its network to rival carriers. The U.S. will be the epicenter of direct-to-cell activity with all three major cellular carriers involved, while Europe’s case is less clear due to existing infrastructure already serving most populations with fiber or cellular services. AST SpaceMobile, focused on direct-to-device, launched its first five commercial satellites with recent agreements with Vodafone, Verizon, and AT&T. Other players include Sateliot for NarrowBand-IoT device connectivity and Telesat adding LEO to its geostationary network, though satellite links are likely complementary to terrestrial networks rather than replacements.

T-Satellite with Starlink: Direct to Cell Satellite Phone Service ↗

T-Mobile’s T-Satellite service powered by Starlink’s Direct to Cell technology provides satellite phone connectivity in most outdoor areas where users can see the sky across the continental U.S. The service enables texting and select satellite-ready apps on compatible devices, including emergency text to 911, though service may be delayed, limited, or unavailable. Applications supported include WhatsApp, AllTrails, X (formerly Twitter), AccuWeather, T-Life, and Google Maps, with AllTrails iOS availability anticipated in November 2025 and Google Maps iOS in October 2025. The service is included with Experience Beyond plans or available as a $10 monthly add-on with cancellation anytime through the T-Life App. Data speeds are limited and may not support all apps, with performance varying as some apps may not function or operate differently than on traditional cellular networks due to satellite coverage and network conditions. The service represents T-Mobile’s strategy to eliminate mobile dead zones by reaching places no terrestrial signal has gone before.

Blues Expands Global Satellite IoT with Starnote for Iridium ↗

Blues announced Starnote for Iridium on September 23, 2025, an accessory that plugs into Blues Cellular or WiFi Notecard providing fallback message routing through Iridium satellite IoT connectivity when primary connectivity is unavailable. Satellite IoT is projected to grow from $4.2 billion in late 2023 to $12.2 billion by 2030 according to MarketDigits research, though adoption has been cost-prohibitive for many business applications requiring monthly subscriptions regardless of usage. The product enables industries including energy, transportation, logistics, and commercial equipment manufacturing to confidently deploy connected products anywhere on Earth without building custom solutions or managing expensive satellite subscriptions. Blues is accepting applications for the Starnote for Iridium beta program with production expected during Q1 2026. The partnership with Iridium, the leader in truly global satellite connectivity, makes satellite IoT both more accessible and affordable for remote solutions requiring reliable weather-resilient coverage.

DT, Iridium extend global IoT coverage with satellite–terrestrial integration ↗

Deutsche Telekom and Iridium Communications announced on September 17, 2025 a partnership integrating Iridium’s forthcoming 5G non-terrestrial network service with DT’s global terrestrial IoT infrastructure to provide pole-to-pole NB-IoT coverage. The agreement gives DT roaming access to Iridium NTN Direct, a 3GPP standards-based service enabling NB-IoT direct-to-device connectivity, keeping customers and assets connected from pole to pole including in remote and extreme environments. Iridium’s constellation provides truly global coverage via L-band spectrum designed to maintain connectivity in both routine and extreme conditions including hurricanes and blizzards, with LEO orbits offering lower latency and better coverage angles than geostationary systems. Commercial launch is planned for 2026 with anticipated applications in international cargo logistics, smart agriculture, emergency response, and remote utility monitoring. The partnership leverages standardized 5G direct-to-device technology enabling sensors, vehicles, and machines to connect across both satellite and terrestrial networks without proprietary hardware.

Soracom and Skylo Roll Out Integrated Satellite IoT ↗

Soracom and Skylo announced on October 2, 2025 the transition from limited preview to full General Availability for customers in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania, enabling commercial deployment of hybrid IoT solutions combining terrestrial cellular and satellite-based connectivity under unified management. The integrated solution delivers expanded geographic range of Skylo’s NTN service while minimizing latency and data cost, with integration of billing and direct access to Soracom’s AI-enhanced network management through the Soracom CMP platform. The partnership allows developers and enterprises to connect standard cellular devices to Skylo’s satellite network via 3GPP compliant NTN support with no special antennas or modems. Delphire, a wildfire detection systems provider, validated the solution during preview program for keeping Sentinel systems operational in remote, hard-to-reach areas. Skylo is the first and largest direct-to-device NTN service commercially operating at global scale, with successful trials across geographies and industries including energy, agriculture, defense, and communications.

10 Tech Trends That Will Impact the Satellite Industry in 2025 ↗

The World Economic Forum predicts the space industry will grow to $1.8 trillion over the next 11 years, with 2025 poised to be pivotal for space capabilities, regulatory developments, and global engagement. By decade’s end, active satellites could reach 50,000, mostly in Low-Earth Orbit. The western space industry has become uncomfortably dependent on SpaceX for heavy launch services, though new vehicles from ULA, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and Arianespace aim to ramp up launch cadence in 2025 to meet industry demand. Laser communications gained momentum with the Space Development Agency demonstrating optical links between satellites in September for the mesh network linking hundreds of LEO satellites, offering faster data transfer with enhanced security compared to radio frequencies. Direct-to-Device connectivity has become the next great holy grail for the industry, offering satellite operators potential to target billions of mobile terrestrial devices for the first time. Congress may clarify in second half of 2025 which agencies have regulatory oversight of space activities including mission authorization, with predictions of potentially more control shifting to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The 10 Hottest Satellite Companies in 2025 ↗

Via Satellite’s 2025 selection highlights must-watch companies based on expected activity, market share, transformational technology, groundbreaking deals, and industry excitement, including 65 companies since the list began in 2019. AST SpaceMobile is building a space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones with first five commercial satellites launched and recent commercial agreements with Vodafone, Verizon, and AT&T demonstrating telco commitment. Blue Origin’s New Glenn heavy-lift launch vehicle aims to establish the company as a major competitive player in the launch market after its first launch. Israeli company hiSky developed terminals enabling one of 2024’s most interesting business deals with agriculture giant Case IH and Intelsat to equip tractors with satellite connectivity using terminals about two feet long and 13 pounds. Tesat has emerged as a winning supplier in the optical communications terminal market with terminals onboard multiple PWSA vendor satellites, Kepler Communications’ relay network, and planned for Telesat Lightspeed satellites, backing up awards with successful in-orbit demonstrations including Kepler’s validation of optical inter-satellite links between two relay satellites in LEO.