Satellite Cables and Assemblies Market Size, Share, Industry Growth

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Satellite Cables and Assemblies are specialized cabling systems that connect and support various satellite subsystems, enabling reliable signal transmission, power distribution, and data exchange in space. These assemblies include coaxial cables, fiber optics, and harnesses, which are designed to withstand the unique challenges of space, such as extreme temperatures, radiation, and vacuum conditions. Lightweight and durable, these cables are essential for managing signals between the satellite’s power systems, communication modules, sensors, and control units. As satellite technology advances, especially with the rise of small and nanosatellites, there is a growing demand for highly efficient, miniaturized, and resilient satellite cable systems that can enhance satellite performance while optimizing weight and space.

Satellite Cables and Assemblies Market Size & Growth

[216 Pages Report] The Global Satellite Cables and Assemblies Market Size was valued at USD 210 million in 2021 and is estimated to reach USD 560 million by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 21.7% during the forecast period. Satellite cables and assemblies systems hold a huge potential for satellite data service providers, small sat service providers, remote sensing service providers, technical service providers, and investors. Factors such as versatility, low cost, advanced materials, ease of manufacturing and assembly, mass production, and short lifecycles have driven investments in the Satellite Cables and Assemblies Industry. Satellite cables and assemblies are inherently balanced and provide better mechanical reliability than conventional cables for transmitting signals, supplying power, or sending earth images.

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COVID-19 Impact on the Satellite Cables and Assemblies Market

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant damage to the economic activities of countries across the world. The manufacturing of satellite cables and assemblies systems, subsystems, and components has also been impacted. Although satellite systems are critically important, disruptions in the supply chain have halted their manufacturing processes for the time being. Resuming manufacturing activities depends on the level of COVID-19 exposure, the level at which manufacturing operations are running, and import-export regulations, among other factors. While companies may still be taking in orders, delivery schedules may not be fixed.

Satellite Cables and Assemblies Market Trends

Driver: Increasing Launches of Small Satellites and Space Exploration Missions

An increase in the launches of satellites into low earth orbit (LEO) especially small satellites, which populate the 500–2,000 km band, is a major driver of the market. LEO satellites offer rapid communication, lower latency, and higher bandwidths per user than geostationary satellites, which account for the rising interest in this segment. Many companies have proposed or are implementing plans to build satellite constellations. Starlink had 356 satellites in orbit from 2019 to May 2020. SpaceX (US) is also in the race to deploy small LEO satellites. Amazon filed for launching 3,236 spacecraft in its Kuiper constellation and appeared to be progressing with plans to move its growing team into new facilities in 2020.

Telesat (Canada) proposed an initial constellation of 117 spacecraft, potentially deploying over 300. Its plan for the constellation is a global mesh network providing a highly secure broadband infrastructure. Its target markets are the government and enterprise sectors, where price tolerance is high. China is also investing in LEO constellations, with planned launches for 2 high-throughput satellites in 2021 and 2022.

According to the report, Prospects for Small Satellite Markets, published by Euroconsult in 2020, more than 8,500 satellites are expected to be launched globally by commercial companies between 2019 and 2028, half of which will support broadband constellations for a total market value of USD 42 billion. From January 1 to November 1, 2020, 1,079 satellites were launched, out of which 1,029 were small satellites. SpaceX internet Starlink satellites accounted for 773 of the 1,029 small satellites launched in the first 10 months of 2020.

Restrains: High Development and Maintenance Costs of Infrastructure to Support Satellite Wiring and Assemblies

The high cost incurred in the development and maintenance of earth station infrastructure is one of the major factors hindering the market growth. Most of the required components are typically custom-fabricated or purchased from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) vendors, which is expensive. Besides, the design, development, and construction of wiring and assemblies and their components require several hours of work by trained personnel. The level of skill required itself poses a significant barrier to entry. Significant investments are required in the R&D, manufacturing, system integration, and assembly stages of the value chains of these systems.

Moreover, wiring and assemblies used in satellite communication services are used for highly sophisticated defense systems, due to which any incident of system failure is unfavorable. These services should be accurate, reliable, durable, energy-efficient, and have a wide detection range. Companies in this market should develop highly functional and efficient ground facilities to maintain market leadership and stay competitive. This translates into significant investments in testing and infrastructure and collaborations with universities, research institutes, and other companies.

Opportunities: Satellite Wiring Demand for Interconnect Solutions

Interconnect and cabling systems are used in the satellite industry due to growing demands for high- throughput, ruggedness, small size, and less spacecraft weight. Signal speed and integrity are essential for effective communication among spacecraft components. Cables — the lifeline of data transmission — are often run through very tight spaces in the spacecraft. For cables to reliably maintain signal integrity, they need to be flexible, and they need to be tough. Interconnects offer the best combination of solid mechanical durability and excellent signal integrity for spacecraft component connections.

These solutions are widely used in missions such as European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS1/ERS2), Polar Platform, ENVISAT satellite, XMM-Newton space observatory, International Space Station (ISS), INMARSAT.

Challenges: Concerns Over Space Debris

Space debris refers to the uncontrolled and unwanted fall onto the earth of no longer functional space vehicles or parts of any size. Since the beginning of human activities in space, the number of variously defined objects in orbit around the earth has increased exponentially. The trend is up now more than ever with the new wave of small satellites. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (US) and European Space Agency (ESA) estimate in their webpages that over 150 million objects are orbiting between the LEO up to 10,000 km from earth’s surface and GEO, for a total weight of more than 5000 tons.

Space debris may prove to be a hazard for small satellites, which may, in turn, increase the amount of debris due to collision or system failure. Besides the risks of collision with flying space vehicles, there is a growing concern for earth impacts since debris, by definition, is uncontrolled and may survive atmospherical re-entry friction falling almost anywhere when eventually reattracted by gravity. NASA and the Department of Defense’s (US) global Space Surveillance Network (SSN) sensors statistics account for more than 27,000 large debris, approximately 23,000 pieces of debris larger than a softball orbiting the earth, half a million pieces of debris the size of a marble or larger (up to 0.4 inches, or 1 centimeter), and approximately 100 million pieces of debris about .04 inches (or one millimeter) and larger. There is even smaller micrometer-sized (0.000039 of an inch in diameter) debris. 1 piece of debris a day is the current average fallout. This is a significant challenge in this field and is under research by various space agencies.

Satellite Cables and Assemblies Market Segment Analysis

Based on Satellite Type, the Large Satellites Segment is Expected to Lead the Satellite Cables and Assemblies Market From 2021 to 2026

Satellites that weigh >1,000 kg are termed large satellites. Government space agencies dominate the majority of the large satellite market. The heaviest artificial objects to reach lower earth orbit mainly include space stations and various upper stages of rockets. The increase in space platforms, deep space explorations are driving the usage of large satellites.

Based on Component, the Cables Segment is Expected to Lead the Satellite Cables and Assemblies Market From 2021 to 2026

Cables are used in satellites that are increasingly being adopted in modern communication technologies, miniaturization, deep space exploration. The introduction of wireless satellite internet and development of miniature hardware systems are exploiting numerous opportunities in the field of satellite-enabled communication. Cables incorporate multiple layers of wires, insulation, and fillers, which limits heat dissipation.

Satellite Cables and Assemblies Market Regional Analysis

Based on Region, North America is Expected to Lead the Satellite Cables and Assemblies Market From 2021 to 2026

The US is a lucrative market for satellite cables and assemblies systems in the North America region. The US government is increasingly investing in advanced satellite technologies to enhance the quality and effectiveness of satellite communication. The increasing investment on satellite equipment to enhance defense and surveillance capabilities of the armed forces, modernization of existing communication in military platforms, critical infrastructure and law enforcement agencies using satellite systems, are key factors expected to drive the satellite cables and assemblies market in North America.

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Satellite Cables and Assemblies Companies: Top Key Market Players

The Satellite Cables and Assemblies Companies are dominated by globally established players such as:

• Nexans S.A (France)
• Amphenol Corporation (US)
• T.E Connectivity (Switzerland)
• Huber +Suhner (Switzerland)
• W.L Gore & Associates (US)

Contracts were the main strategy adopted by leading players to sustain their position in the satellite cables and assemblies market, followed by new product developments with advanced technologies. Many companies also collaborated to set up special centers for the research & development of advanced satellite systems.

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Scope of the Report

The study categorizes the satellite cables and assemblies market based on Satellite Type, Cable Type, Conductor Material, Insulation Type, Component, Conductor Type and Region.

By Satellite Type

• Small satellite
• Medium satellite
• Large satellite

By Cable Type

• Round Cables
• Flat/ Ribbon Cables

By Conductor Material

• Metal Alloys
• Fibers

By Component

• Cables
• Connectors
• Others

By Insulation Type

• Thermosetting
• Thermoplastic

By Conductor Type

• Twisted pair
• Coaxial
• Fiber Optics
• Shielded/ Jacketed

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa
• Latin America

Recent Developments

• In January 2022, The Rosenberger Group changed its antenna and coverage solution product portfolio with a new brand entity, PROSE. The strategic focus of PROSE will be towards the development of base station antennas, microwave antennas, indoor and outdoor coverage solutions, Open RAN subsystems, and related services.
• In September 2021, WL Gore & Associates launched M12 X-Code cable assembly while building a complete M8/M12 connector portfolio. This portfolio focuses on sensor applications, data supports, and industrial communication. M12 X-Code cables are a category 6A cable (CAT6A), standardized twisted-pair cables for Ethernet, and other network layers that can handle data up to 10Gbps.
• In July 2021, TE Connectivity has launched its Rochester Greaseless Cable Technology, which provides more efficient field operation for downhole logging applications. This solution replaces steel cables in cased hole operations. It Provides a lower coefficient of friction over traditional wireline cables, which uses a specially formulated cable jacket material. It has improved rig up and rig down efficiencies. It has faster run speeds than traditional wireline. It is cleaner and more environmentally friendly than conventional downhole wireline cables.
• In January 2021, Carlisle announced its new UTiPHASE microwave cable assembly series, an innovative solution that delivers outstanding electrical phase stability versus temperature without compromising microwave performance. UTiPHASE is ideal for defense, space, and testing applications.
• In January 2020, TE Connectivity launched M12 data cable assemblies supporting Ethernet protocols as part of its Industrial Ethernet and Fieldbus solutions package. This makes it a one-stop-shop for M8/M12 cable assemblies for industrial Ethernet communications.
• In January 2020, TE Connectivity (TE) launched the SPEC 55 low fluoride (55 LF) wire and cable insulation system for space and high-altitude environments. The cable is made from a rugged fluoropolymer. Its insulation system has an outgassing rating of less than 10 PPM, which helps to reduce corrosion of other components due to trapped gases escaping in a vacuum or low-pressure environment. The SPEC 55 LF insulation system is designed for avionic systems, C4ISR, guidance & seeker systems, general wire harnessing systems, etc.

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