Europe Small Satellite Market
Europe Small Satellite Market by System (Satellite Bus, Payloads, Satellite Antennas, Others), Propulsion Technology (Chemical, Electric, Other Technologies), Customer, Frequency, Mass, and Application - Forecast To 2030
OVERVIEW
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
The Europe small satellite market is expected to grow from USD 1.33 billion in 2025 to USD 2.81 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 16.1%. In terms of volume, the market is expected to grow from 253 units to 347 units from 2025 to 2030, respectively. Market growth is driven by the rising demand for small satellites across communication, Earth observation (EO), navigation, and security applications.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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By RegionFrance is expected to dominate the market with a share of 59.3% during the forecast period.
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By MassThe mini satellite (101–1,200 kg) segment is projected to record the highest CAGR of 16.4% during the forecast period.
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By End UseThe commercial segment is expected to be the largest contributor to the market during the forecast period.
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By CustomerThe defense segment is projected to grow at the fastest rate from 2025 to 2030.
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Competitive LandscapeAirbus (France) and Thales Alenia Space (France) were identified as some of the star players in the Europe small satellite market, given their strong market share and product footprint.
The Europe small satellite market is witnessing strong growth due to the rising demand for timely and reliable satellite data. This demand is being generated from defense, climate monitoring, and commercial decision-making needs. Small satellites are increasingly used to support communication services, Earth observation (EO), navigation support, and security missions across the region.
TRENDS & DISRUPTIONS IMPACTING CUSTOMERS' CUSTOMERS
Consumer-focused businesses in Europe are increasingly utilizing small satellite data as the demand for real-time and accurate location information continues to grow. Industries like agriculture, insurance, and logistics rely on satellite insights to manage risk and make better decisions. This data helps companies improve forecasts, plan resources more effectively, and run their services more smoothly. As more businesses adopt EO-based analytics, demand for small satellite data continues to increase across these industries.
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
MARKET DYNAMICS
Level
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Increasing growth of EU-funded missons

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Rising need for secure, soverign satellite connectivity
Level
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LEO congestion & spectrum licensing constraints
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High capital requirents for constellation scaling
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Increasing demand for hosted payloads on EO and comms platform
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Strong push toward in-orbit servicing and debris-removal missions
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Limited access to reliabale, high-frequency European launch slots
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Strict EU rules for debris mitigation and sustainability compliance
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
Driver: Increasing growth of EU-funded missons
European governments and institutions are increasing funding for space missions under EU-led programs. These missions rely on small satellites for Earth observation, communication, and security applications. As a result, demand is rising for satellites that can deliver frequent revisits, reliable data, and long-term mission support across civil, defense, and environmental use cases.
Restraint: LEO congestion & spectrum licensing constraints
The growing number of satellites in low Earth orbit is increasing congestion and raising concerns around collision risk and spectrum availability. The constraints like licensing processes for frequency allocation and orbital slots, which are time-consuming can limit operational flexibility and delay new small satellite missions.
Opportunity: Increasing demand for hosted payloads on EO and comms platform
More operators are adopting hosted payload models to reduce mission cost and speed up deployment. By sharing satellite platforms, customers can add EO or communication payloads without building a full satellite. This creates new opportunities for platform providers to support multiple users on a single mission.
Challenge: Limited access to reliabale, high-frequency European launch slots
Access to frequent and dependable launch services in Europe remains limited. The growing delays or gaps in launch availability can affect constellation deployment schedules and mission planning. This challenge increases reliance on non-European launch options and adds uncertainty to small satellite program timelines.
EUROPE SMALL SATELLITE MARKET: COMMERCIAL USE CASES ACROSS INDUSTRIES
| COMPANY | USE CASE DESCRIPTION | BENEFITS |
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Deploys small satellite platforms for Earth observation, communication, and security missions supporting government and commercial programs | Provides high-revisit intelligence and mission agility for real-time decision-making |
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Develops small satellite platforms and payloads for communication, navigation support, and Earth observation missions. | Supports high data throughput, secure communication, and long-duration missions across multi-satellite deployments |
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Designs and integrates small satellite platforms for Earth observation, scientific missions, and secure institutional communication programs | Delivers mission-specific, reliable small satellites with strong European supply-chain control and proven performance in government-led space missions |
Logos and trademarks shown above are the property of their respective owners. Their use here is for informational and illustrative purposes only.
MARKET ECOSYSTEM
The key stakeholders in the Europe small satellite market ecosystem are prominent companies, private and small enterprises, and end users. Collaboration across manufacturers, subsystem suppliers, and end users drives continuous innovation and supports expanding operational requirements.
Logos and trademarks shown above are the property of their respective owners. Their use here is for informational and illustrative purposes only.
MARKET SEGMENTS
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
Europe Small Satellite Market, By Mass
Mini satellites in the 101–1,200 kg range are expected to hold the largest share of the Europe small satellite market during the forecast period. These satellites offer a good balance between capability and cost. Also, they can carry more advanced payloads while still being suitable for constellation deployment. They are used across communication, Earth observation, navigation, and security missions.
Europe Small Satellite Market, By System
The satellite bus segment is expected to account for the largest share of the market. Demand is rising for bus platforms that are reliable, modular, and energy efficient. These platforms support longer missions and more advanced payloads. Better integration of power systems, onboard processing, and thermal control is making the satellite bus the core building block for modern small satellite missions and constellations.
Europe Small Satellite Market, By End Use
The commercial segment is expected to remain the largest end-use segment throughout the forecast period. This is mainly because small satellites are widely used for communication services and Earth observation data across many industries. Commercial operators continue to invest in constellations to improve coverage, increase revisit rates, and deliver reliable services keeping this segment at the top by market value.
Europe Small Satellite Market, By Frequency
Ku-band is expected to account for the largest share of the market over the forecast period. It is widely used in communication and data-heavy satellite missions. Ku-band offers strong performance, high data rate, and works well with existing ground systems, making it a common choice for both commercial and institutional small satellite programs.
Europe Small Satellite Market, By Application
Communication is the largest application area in the Europe small satellite market. Growth is driven by rising demand for broadband connectivity, data relay, and constellation-based communication services. Small satellites make it easier to scale networks and handle growing data needs for both commercial users and government agencies.
Europe Small Satellite Market, By Propulsion Technology
Propulsion technology plays an important role in enabling maneuverability, orbit control and extended mission life for small satellites. Both electric and chemical propulsion systems are increasingly used across European small satellite missions to support precise orbit insertion, station keeping and end-of-life deorbiting requirements.
REGION
UK to be the fastest-growing country in the Europe small satellite market during the forecast period
The UK small satellite market is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Growth is driven by increasing defense-based satellite programs, rising investment in commercial satellite constellations, and strong participation from private space companies. Expanding demand for communication, Earth observation, and security-related satellite capabilities, along with supportive government initiatives, is accelerating small satellite deployment across the country.

EUROPE SMALL SATELLITE MARKET: COMPANY EVALUATION MATRIX
The company evaluation matrix for the Europe small satellite market compares players based on their product range and overall presence in the market. Airbus Defense and Space leads the market due to its wide small satellite portfolio, strong manufacturing base, and active role in both government and commercial programs. AAC Clyde Space is an emerging leader supported by its experience in satellite platform design and system integration.
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
KEY MARKET PLAYERS
- Airbus
- Thales
- Gomspace
- OHB SE
- BAE Systems
- Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL)
- Hemeria
- Berlin Space Technologies
- AAA Clyde Space
- Open Cosmos Ltd
MARKET SCOPE
| REPORT METRIC | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Market Size in 2025(Value) | USD 1.33 Billion |
| Market Forecast in 2030 (Value) | USD 2.81 Billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 16.1% from 2025-2030 |
| Years Considered | 2021-2030 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2025-2030 |
| Units Considered | Value (USD Million/Billion), Volume (Units) |
| Report Coverage | Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
| Segments Covered |
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| Countries Covered | UK, Germany, France, Russia, and Italy |
WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU: EUROPE SMALL SATELLITE MARKET REPORT CONTENT GUIDE

DELIVERED CUSTOMIZATIONS
We have successfully delivered the following deep-dive customizations:
| CLIENT REQUEST | CUSTOMIZATION DELIVERED | VALUE ADDS |
|---|---|---|
| Leading Manufacturer | Additional segment breakdown for countries | Additional country-level market sizing tables for segments/sub-segments covered at the regional/global level to gain an understanding of market potential by each country |
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
- December 2025 : OHB SE, part of the OHB Group, secured a contract to deliver six electric propulsion systems for SWISSto12’s HummingSat small GEO satellite platform (enabling precise orbit control and mission extension).
- October 2025 : GomSpace secured a significant contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to accelerate the development of its next-generation small satellite Attitude and Orbit Control Software (AOCS).
- December 2024 : Airbus Defence and Space was awarded a contract by Eutelsat to build the extension of its OneWeb LEO smallsat constellation (first 100 satellites, deliveries starting end-2026).
Table of Contents
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Methodology
The study involved four major activities in estimating the current size of the Europe Small Satellite Market. Exhaustive secondary research was done to collect information on the market, peer market, and parent market. The next step was to validate these findings, assumptions, and sizing with industry experts across the value chain through primary research. Both top-down and bottom-up approaches were employed to estimate the complete market size. After that, market breakdown and data triangulation were used to estimate the market size of segments and subsegments.
Secondary Research
The ranking analysis of companies in the Europe Small Satellite Market was carried out using secondary data from paid and unpaid sources, as well as by analyzing the product portfolios and service offerings of key companies operating in the market. These companies were rated based on the performance and quality of their products. These data points were further validated by primary sources.
Secondary sources referred for this research study included the European Space Agency (ESA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Satellite Industry Association (SIA), corporate filings such as annual reports, investor presentations, and financial statements of trade, business, and professional associations. The secondary data was collected and analyzed to arrive at the overall size of the market, which was validated by primary respondents.
Primary Research
Extensive primary research was conducted after obtaining information regarding the Europe Small Satellite Market scenario through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from both, the demand and supply sides across major countries of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Rest of the World. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews. The primary sources from the supply side included various industry experts, such as Chief X Officers (CXOs), Vice Presidents (VPs), Directors, from business development, marketing, product development/innovation teams, and related key executives from small satellite vendors; system integrators; component providers; distributors; and key opinion leaders.
Primary interviews were conducted to gather insights such as market statistics, data of revenue collected from the products and services, market breakdowns, market size estimations, market forecasting, and data triangulation. Primary research also helped in understanding the various trends related to technology, application, vertical, and region. Stakeholders from the demand side, such as CIOs, CTOs, and CSOs, and installation teams of the customer/end users who are using small satellite were interviewed to understand the buyer’s perspective on the suppliers, products, component providers, and their current usage of small satellite and future outlook of their business which will affect the overall market.
Market Size Estimation
The research methodology used to estimate the size of the Europe Small Satellite Market includes the following details.
- The top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the Europe Small Satellite Market. The research methodology used to estimate the market size includes the following details.
- The key players were identified through secondary research, and their market ranking was determined through primary and secondary research. This included a study of the annual and financial reports of the top market players and extensive interviews of leaders, including chief executive officers (CEO), directors, and marketing executives.
- All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources. All possible parameters that affect the markets covered in this research study were accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to obtain the final quantitative and qualitative data. This data was consolidated, enhanced with detailed inputs, analyzed by MarketsandMarkets, and presented in this report.
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall size of the Europe Small Satellite Market from the market size estimation process explained above, the total market was split into several segments and subsegments. The data triangulation and market breakdown procedures explained below were implemented, wherever applicable, to complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the exact statistics for various segments and sub-segments of the market. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides. The market size was validated using both top-down and bottom-up approaches.
Market Definition
A small satellite, or smallsat, encompasses any satellite with a mass from approximately 1 to 1000 kilograms. These satellites are engineered to perform space missions similar to larger satellites but are constructed using smaller, lighter, and often commercially available components. The classification includes various subcategories like small, mini, micro, nano, and CubeSats, based on their mass. Small satellite typically leverages advancements in miniaturization of technology and are launched either independently or as secondary payloads, allowing for cost-effective access to space and opportunities for high-frequency mission updates and constellation deployment. These satellites are typically used by businesses and governments for a variety of applications including communication, earth observation, and scientific research.
Market Stakeholders
- Satellite Component Manufacturers
- Satellite Manufacturers
- Satellite Integrators
- Launch Service Providers
- Government and Civil Organizations Related to the Market
- Small Satellite Companies
- Payload Suppliers
- Scientific Institutions
- Meteorological Organizations
- Component Suppliers
- Technologists
- R&D Staff
Report Objectives
- To define, describe, and forecast the size of the Europe Small Satellite Market based on mass, subsystem, end use, application, frequency, orbit, and region
- To forecast the market size of segments with respect to various regions, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Rest of the World along with major countries in each region
- To identify and analyze key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the Europe Small Satellite Market
- To analyze technological advancements and product launches in the market
- To strategically analyze micro markets, with respect to their growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the market
- To provide a detailed competitive landscape of the market and analyze competitive growth strategies such as new product developments, contracts, partnerships, joint ventures, agreements, and collaborations adopted by key players in the market
- To identify the detailed financial position, key products, unique selling points, and key developments of leading companies in the market
- To strategically profile key market players and comprehensively analyze their market ranking and core competencies.
Available Customizations:
MarketsAndMarkets offers the following customizations for this market report:
- Additional country-level analysis of the Europe Small Satellite Market
- Profiling of additional market players (up to 5)
Product Analysis
- Product matrix, which provides a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of each company in the Europe Small Satellite Market
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Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in Europe Small Satellite Market