North America 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 North America small satellite market is projected to reach USD 13.89 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 28.6% from 2025 to 2030. In terms of volume, the market is expected to grow from 2,759 units in 2025 to 3,931 units by 2030. Growth is driven by the rising demand for fast and cost-effective access to space. Government defense and commercial users rely on small satellites for surveillance, communication, and Earth observation missions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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By CountryThe US accounted for a 93.5% market share in 2025.
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By Satellite MassThe mini satellite segment is projected to dominate the market during the forecast period.
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By SubsystenThe satellite bus segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate from 2025 to 2030.
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By FrequencyThe L- Band segment is projected to grow at the fastest rate from 2025 to 2030, with a 25.4% CAGR.
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Competitive Landscape-Key PlayersSpaceX, Northrop Grumman, and MDA were identified as some of the star players in the North America small satellite market, given their strong market share and product footprint.
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Competitive Landscape-StartupsNearSpace Launch, Swarm, and Astranis have distinguished themselves among startups and SMEs by securing strong footholds in specialized niche areas, underscoring their potential as emerging market leaders.
The North America small satellite market is driven by wide use across the defense, government, and commercial sectors. Demand continues to grow for surveillance communication and Earth observation missions. Improvements in satellite design support longer mission life. Better power systems also expand operational capability.
TRENDS & DISRUPTIONS IMPACTING CUSTOMERS' CUSTOMERS
Several space startups and satellite manufacturers are attracting private funding to advance small satellite technology. Partnerships and joint programs support faster product development and deployment. These trends are improving satellite capability and expanding the customer base across North America.
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
MARKET DYNAMICS
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Expansion of commercial broadband constellations

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Strong government & defense adoption (ISR, PNT, SDA)
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High capital requirements for constellation scaling
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LEO congestion & spectrum licensing constraints
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Growth of hosted payload adoption
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Defense modernization & proliferated LEO architectures
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Supply chain constraints
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Space debris & collision-avoidance overhead
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
Driver: Expansion of commercial broadband constellations
The rising demand for satellite internet is pushing operators to deploy large small satellite constellations. These networks improve coverage and service reliability. This drives steady growth in the number of satellite launches.
Restraint:High capital requirements for constellation scaling
Large constellations need high upfront spending for satellites and launches. Ground infrastructure also adds cost. This limits fast expansion for many companies.
Opportunity:Growth of hosted payload adoption
Hosted payloads allow multiple customers to share one satellite. This reduces cost and speeds up mission deployment. It helps in the improvement of overall asset use.
Challenge: Supply chain constraints
Limited availability of key components slows satellite production. Delivery delays affect launch schedules. This increases cost and execution risk.
NORTH AMERICA SMALL SATELLITE MARKET: COMMERCIAL USE CASES ACROSS INDUSTRIES
| COMPANY | USE CASE DESCRIPTION | BENEFITS |
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Deploys large small satellite constellations for broadband connectivity and data services; supports commercial customers with frequent launch access and in-house satellite production | Fast deployment timelines and lower launch cost; scalable coverage for global connectivity and data delivery |
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Develops small satellite platforms for commercial Earth observation and space data services; supports dual-use missions for civil and commercial customers | Reliable satellite performance and long mission life; flexible designs support multiple commercial applications |
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Builds small satellites for commercial remote sensing and space situational awareness missions; focuses on resilient systems for continuous data collection | Stable on orbit operations and high mission reliability; supports sustained data services for commercial users |
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Supplies payload electronics sensors and secure communication systems for commercial small satellites; enables data transmission and onboard processing | Improved data quality and secure links; supports real-time data delivery for commercial 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
In the North America small satellite market, satellite manufacturers lead the way in building systems and advancing technology. Government and commercial users influence the demand of the small satellites based on their long-term mission needs. Payload and software companies help improve how well the missions perform, while system integrators make sure everything works smoothly once the satellite is in operation.
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
North America Small Satellite Market, By Satellite Mass
The mini satellite segment is expected to account for the largest market share due to higher payload capacity. These satellites support complex commercial and government missions. They offer better performance at a controlled cost. This drives wider adoption across programs.
North America Small Satellite Market, By End Use
The commercial segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period due to the rising demand for data services. Small satellites support communication and Earth observation needs. They enable faster service rollout.
North America Small Satellite Market, By Application
The communication segment is expected to account for the largest share due to the increasing demand for satellite connectivity. Small satellites support broadband expansion. They improve network coverage. This strengthens market demand.
North America Small Satellite Market, By Subsystem
The satellite bus segment is projected to account for a large share due to its core system role. It manages power control and stability. Reliable bus platforms improve mission success.
North America Small Satellite Market, By Frequency
The Ku–K band segment is expected to account for the largest market share due to high data capacity. It supports high-speed communication services. Demand rises with bandwidth needs. This sustains market leadership.
North America Small Satellite Market, By Propulsion Technology
The electric propulsion segment is projected to account for the largest market share due to higher efficiency. It supports longer mission life. It improves orbit control. This reduces overall mission cost.
REGION
Canada is projected to be the fastest-growing country in the global North America small satellite market
Canada is projected to register the highest CAGR in the North America small satellite market during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the rising demand for space-based data across commercial and defense applications. In recent years, satellite manufacturers have focused on developing small satellites that are cost-efficient, lightweight, and capable of supporting high-performance missions over long durations.

NORTH AMERICA SMALL SATELLITE MARKET: COMPANY EVALUATION MATRIX
In the North America small satellite market matrix, SpaceX leads with strong dominance and advanced small satellite and launch capabilities, reinforcing its leadership position in the market. L3 Harris Technologies Inc., positioned as an Emerging Leader, maintains a competitive regional presence with robust satellite offerings.
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
KEY MARKET PLAYERS
- SPACEX
- MDA
- NORTHROP GRUMMAN
- PLANET LABS
- SNC
- L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
- PLANET LABS PBC
- SNC
- MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES
- RTX
- MILLENNIUM SPACE SYSTEMS, INC
MARKET SCOPE
| REPORT METRIC | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Market Size in 2024 (Value) | USD 3.08 BN |
| Market Forecast in 2030 (value) | USD 13.89 BN |
| Growth Rate | 28.6% |
| Years Considered | 2021–2030 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025–2030 |
| Units Considered | Value (USD BN) |
| Report Coverage | Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
| Segments Covered |
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| Countries Covered | US, Canada |
WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU: NORTH AMERICA 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 |
| Emerging Leader | Additional company profiles | Competitive information on targeted players to gain granular insights into direct competition |
| Regional Market Leader | Additional country market estimates | Additional country-level deep dive for a more targeted understanding of the total addressable market |
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
- March 2025 : SpaceX (US) launched a new batch of Starlink small satellites using its Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The mission supported the expansion of the low Earth orbit constellation. It improved broadband capacity and network coverage across North America.
- September 2024 : Lockheed Martin Corporation (US) delivered and supported the launch of Transport Layer small satellites for the Space Development Agency. These satellites strengthen low Earth orbit communication capability. The program supports secure data transport for defense missions.
- October 2024 : Northrop Grumman (US) advanced the production of missile warning and tracking small satellites under the Space Development Agency program. The satellites support persistent monitoring from low Earth orbit. This development strengthens national security space architecture.
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The study involved four major activities in estimating the current size of the North America 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 North America 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 North America 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 North America Small Satellite Market includes the following details.
- The top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the North America 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.
Global North America Small Satellite Market size: Bottom-Up Approach
The North America Small Satellite Market, by application and mass, was used as a primary segment for estimating and projecting the global market size from 2024 to 2029.
The market size was calculated by adding the mass subsegments mentioned below, and the different methodologies adopted for each to arrive at the market numbers are delineated below:
Global North America Small Satellite Market Size: Top-Down Approach
In the top-down approach, the overall market size was used to estimate the size of individual markets (mentioned in the market segmentation) acquired through percentage splits from secondary and primary research. The size of the immediate parent market was used to implement the top-down approach and calculate specific market segments. The bottom-up approach was also implemented to validate the revenues obtained for various market segments.
- Companies manufacturing small satellites and their subsystems are included in the report.
- The total revenue of these companies was identified through their annual reports and other authentic sources. In cases where annual reports were unavailable, the company revenue was estimated based on the number of employees, sources such as Factiva, ZoomInfo, press releases, and any publicly available data.
- Company revenue was calculated based on their operating segments.
- All publicly available company contracts related to small satellites were mapped and summed up.
- Based on these parameters (contracts, agreements, partnerships, joint ventures, product matrix, secondary research), the share of small satellites in each segment was estimated.
Based on these parameters (contracts, agreements, partnerships, joint ventures, product matrix, secondary research), the share of small satellites in each segment was estimated
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall size of the North America 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 North America 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 North America 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 North America 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 North America Small Satellite Market

Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in North America Small Satellite Market