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COVID-19 Impact on Space Situational Awareness Market: Challenges and Adaptations

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Amrut Mahajani
COVID-19 Impact on Space Situational Awareness Market: Challenges and Adaptations

In the vast expanse of space, where satellites and celestial objects coexist, the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Industry plays a pivotal role. In 2021, this industry boasted a value of $1.5 Billion, with projections indicating steady growth. By 2026, it is expected to reach $1.8 Billion, marking a CAGR of 4.6%. This growth is primarily propelled by the escalating use of small satellites for Earth observation, communication, scientific research, and the space sector's growing emphasis on cost reduction in missions.


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Small Satellites: The Catalyst for Cost-Efficiency


Over recent years, the emergence of low-cost small and miniaturized satellites has reshaped the satellite manufacturing landscape. With satellite launch costs determined by weight, manufacturers are focusing on miniaturizing their satellites to reduce costs. This shift is particularly beneficial when mission payloads have less demanding requirements. Miniaturization not only results in smaller launch vehicles but also reduces fuel consumption. The continuous technological advancement within the industry, exemplified by SpaceX's development of reusable launch vehicles, further amplifies satellite capabilities while minimizing costs.


Impact of COVID-19 on SSA Market


The global pandemic, COVID-19, has not spared the SSA industry. Disruptions in the supply chain have temporarily halted the manufacturing of SSA systems, subsystems, and components. The resumption of these activities hinges on several factors, including the level of COVID-19 exposure, the status of manufacturing operations, and import-export regulations. While companies continue to accept orders, fixed delivery schedules remain uncertain.


Dynamics Shaping the SSA Market


Driver: Rising Demand for Space-Based Sensing Activities


Space-based sensing activities, such as RF mapping, weather monitoring, GPS-radio occultation (GPS-RO) remote sensing, and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B), are witnessing growing demand. This surge spans across government and commercial sectors, thanks to the cost-effectiveness of small satellites. Airlines employ these satellites to track aircraft in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, while coastal monitoring and tracking of ships benefit from their capabilities. Collaboration between ExoAnalytic Solutions and NorthStar Earth & Space in 2021 exemplifies the pursuit of precision SSA services for safeguarding satellites and ensuring secure access to space.


Restraint: Complex Regulatory Requirements


The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency, regulates orbital slots for satellites and radio frequencies used by satellite operators. The deployment of low-orbiting satellites by private entities, aimed at global Internet connectivity, poses regulatory challenges. Current ITU rules, which favor main satellite payloads in determining orbit injection points for small satellites, complicate matters. Ensuring that new satellite broadcast frequencies in the Ku- and Ka-band do not interfere with pre-existing systems further complicates regulatory compliance for SSA service providers.


Opportunity: Rising Demand for Lower Earth Orbit (LEO)-Based Services


Growing demand for LEO-based services, including broadband, Earth observation, and SSA services, presents a significant opportunity for the SSA market. Small satellites' affordability, high capacity, and improved ability to offer low-latency broadband services drive this demand. Advances in small satellite technology are aligning them with the capabilities of larger satellites. Consequently, the demand for SSA services tracking and monitoring satellite position, routes, and health in space may rise alongside the demand for LEO-based services.


Challenge: Detecting Micro-Sized Debris


Orbital debris, often created through object breakup, poses a challenge. These fragments, ranging from 1 mm to 1 cm, move at high speeds relative to operational satellites, carrying significant kinetic energy. Even small particles can endanger spacecraft if they collide with critical components. The inability to detect micro-sized debris with precision raises concerns about spacecraft safety.


The Role of Earth Observation Imagery and Analytics


Earth observation services have surged in importance, with applications spanning agriculture, disaster mitigation, meteorology, and more. High-resolution Earth imaging, essential for precise resource management, has increased across verticals. Notably, the US Government serves as the largest purchaser of satellite imagery, rendering it a stable long-term customer for SmallSat companies.


Several companies harness satellite-based imagery for diverse applications. Cape Analytics underwrites property values using satellite imagery, while UBS Investment Research and J.P. Morgan employ Orbital Insight's capabilities for retail business intelligence. Future endeavors, such as Descartes Labs' agriculture crop yield projections and integration of data from social media feeds by Planet Labs and BlackSky, underscore the broadening scope of small satellite imagery.


Market Segmentation


Solution Segment: The service segment is anticipated to hold the dominant market share in 2021. The US Space Force's development of domain awareness services, exemplified by the deep space advanced radar concept program (DARC), illustrates the commitment to enhancing visibility in space and monitoring deep space objects.


Orbital Range Segment: Near-Earth orbits are poised to lead the SSA market, driven by the proliferation of 5G networks and the launch of satellites in LEO. The resulting increase in space object conjunctions underscores the importance of SSA for tracking and predicting their paths.


End Use Segment: The commercial sector is expected to witness the highest CAGR, driven by new entrants and innovations in the space sector. Small satellites are favored for their cost-effectiveness, speed of development, and commercial viability.


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Regional Outlook


North America is projected to take the lead in the SSA market, primarily driven by intelligence organizations' focus on space situational awareness. The US, in particular, relies on SSA to secure space assets, ensuring smooth military operations by identifying threats. The proliferation of orbital space debris and growing dependence on space assets further amplify the demand for SSA solutions in the region.


As the SSA industry charts its course, it faces both challenges and opportunities. The rise of small satellites, the demand for LEO-based services, and the critical role of Earth observation imagery underscore the industry's potential. Complex regulatory landscapes and micro-sized debris detection remain formidable challenges. Nonetheless, the SSA market is poised to play a pivotal role in safeguarding assets in space, advancing scientific research, and supporting Earth-based applications across industries.


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