With the miniaturisation of electronics and increased affordability to access space, new players are entering and launching new commercial constellations of small satellites.
We expect a substantial rise in the launch of small satellites (below 500kg) in the upcoming decade, far exceeding the previous decade. This surge shows the growing demand for in-space operations. As more objects occupy Earth’s orbit, it is essential to prioritize the safety and sustainability of these operations.
New Markets of In-Space Services
As a result of this rise, new markets of in-space services will emerge, including:
- active debris removal (ADR)
- orbital lifetime extension services
- on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (OSAM)
- last mile logistics (LML) or last mile delivery (LMD)
- space situational awareness services (SSA)
By 2031, these new markets are projected to mature with a cumulative revenue value of €4.4 billion. Public actors such as ESA will play a crucial role in advancing these markets by facilitating technology growth, establishing standards and policies and promoting safe and sustainable practices while encouraging commercialisation.
Supporting a Space Transportation Service Ecosystem
Under the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP), ESA is supporting the development of in-space transportation capabilities to access new destinations and missions such as spacecraft servicing, repair, and the in-orbit construction of large structures. The Space Safety Programme is taking the lead in implementing the Zero Debris Charter Initiative to ensure that space operations are handled safely and sustainably while also supporting the commercialisation of In-Orbit Services (IOS).
