Space Propulsion Market

[293 Pages Report] The Global Space Propulsion Market Size is estimated to be USD 10.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 18.1 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 11.3% from 2023 to 2028. The Space Propulsion Industry is driven by factors such as rising space exploration programs and a focus on the development of reusable launch vehicles.

Space Propulsion Market Forecast to 2028

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Space Propulsion Market Dynamics:

Drivers: Surge in the number of space exploration missions

Space exploration provides the possibility of tangible as well as intangible benefits for humanity in the long term. For instance, research and exploration of the low Earth orbit help in providing solutions for various global services, such as communication, global positioning, oceanography, surveillance, and astronomy.

Hence, global expenditure has grown in the last five years, driven by programs in leading countries investing in space exploration, which is being enabled by the development of high-tech propulsion systems. Technological breakthroughs and insights from past space missions have also inspired new players to invest in this niche market due to the significant opportunities provided by it.

In the coming years, there is likely to be an increase in public and private initiatives in space exploration with a converging global interest in Moon exploration. The space sector has obtained record government investment totaling over USD 92 billion in 2022, an 8% increase compared to 2020, as declared by major space consulting and market intelligence firm Euroconsult’s ‘Government Space Programs’ report for 2021. In terms of applications, Moon and Mars exploration are expected to account for most space missions to be launched by 2027, as lunar exploration becomes the focus of private and public stakeholders. A total of more than 10 missions are anticipated to be launched for other deep space exploration by the ESA, NASA, Blue Origin, SpaceX, and others, while the remaining missions will be dedicated to Mars exploration.

Restraints: Complex government frameworks and stringent policies

Government policies at both the nation-state and international levels directly or indirectly influence the evolution of the small satellite ecosystem and industry. Currently, there is no comprehensive global or domestic on-orbit regulation regime.

Also, the Copernicus project, which is believed to be at the forefront of European space policy, is particularly hit by a lot of shortcomings. A weak data distribution system, mixed with a complex government framework and inadequate European industrial and space policy support actions, are the most significant obstacles holding back a faster development of products and services based on Copernicus data.

Satellite operators have expressed interest in developing regulations that would provide certainty to investors. However, there are concerns over burdensome regulations that could drive companies to move from country to country. Given that the timeline in which operators’ and policymakers’ functions do not always align and that there are significant efforts involved in creating international community agreements, developing policies and regulations for the quickly evolving commercial space industry will be a hurdle for the next 10 years.

Opportunities: Technological upgrade in electric propulsion to improve efficiency and reduce cost

Electric propulsion (EP) with increased capabilities and higher-efficiency thrusters is being developed to reduce costs and risks and enable credible space missions. EP has been used by many commercial satellite providers for on-orbit station keeping due to its total life-cycle cost advantages.

Currently, NASA’s Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) project is developing advanced technologies to extend the length and capabilities of future space exploration missions. An advanced propulsion technology like SEP allows deep-space missions to carry more cargo and use smaller launch vehicles while reducing mission costs. SEP also provides a high fuel economy; it reduces the volume of propellants required onboard vehicles for deep-space missions by as much as 90%.

Electric propulsion used for space applications has benefited a variety of NASA, military, and commercial missions. In 2019, NASA signed a contract with Maxar Technologies to provide solar electric propulsion for orbital adjustments as well as electricity with solar arrays for its Gateway’s service module. Also, in the last two decades, space start-up firms have proved they can compete against heavyweight aerospace contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. As of 2021-2022, a SpaceX rocket launching can be 97% cheaper than a Russian Soyuz ride cost in the ’60s. Thus, due to these reasons, electric propulsion technology will boost the space propulsion market during the forecast years.

Challenges: Emissions due to space missions

Space launches can lead to a hefty carbon footprint due to the burning of solid rocket fuels. Every time a rocket is launched, it produces a plume of exhausts filled with materials that can collect in the air over time, potentially altering the atmosphere in dangerous ways. Rockets utilizing unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine (N(CH3)2NH2) and dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) propellants account for about one-third of all stratospheric rocket engine emissions, comparable to solid-fueled rocket emissions.

Small pieces of soot and alumina are created in the wake of rocket launches. These materials may build up in the stratosphere over time and slowly lead to the depletion of the ozone layer. For instance, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, the world’s heaviest operational rocket, burns about 400 metric tons of kerosene and emits more carbon dioxide in a few minutes than an average car would in more than two centuries. With a significant increase in the number of space missions, the emission scale of harmful gases is also expected to increase, which poses a challenge.

Space Propulsion Market Ecosystem

Prominent companies in this market include well-established, financially stable manufacturers of space propulsion systems with a global presence. These companies have been operating in the market for several years and have a diversified product portfolio, state-of-the-art technologies, and robust global sales and marketing networks. Prominent companies include Safran S.A. (France), L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (US), IHI Corporation (Japan), Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) (US), and Northrop Grumman Corporation (US).

Based on platform, the rovers/spacecraft landers segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR in the Space Propulsion Market during the forecast period.

Based on the platform, the space propulsion market has been segmented into satellites, capsules/cargos, interplanetary spacecraft & probes, rovers/spacecraft landers, and launch vehicles.

A rover (or planetary rover) is a planetary surface exploration device designed to move across the solid surface of a planet or other planetary mass celestial bodies. Some rovers have been designed as land vehicles to transport members of a human spaceflight crew; others are partially or fully autonomous robots. Rovers are typically created to land on a planet (other than Earth) via a lander-style spacecraft, tasked to collect information about the terrain and take crust samples such as dust, soil, rocks, and liquids. They are essential tools in space exploration.

Based on component, the propellant feed systems segment held the second largest share in the base year.

Based on components, the space propulsion market has been segmented into thrusters, propellant feed systems, rocket motors, nozzles, propulsion thermal control, power processing units, and others.

Among these, the propellant feed systems segment held the second-largest share in 2023. The propellant feed system of a spacecraft determines how the propellant is delivered from the tanks to the thrust chamber. It is generally classified as either pressure-fed or pump-fed. A pressure-fed system is simple and relies on tank pressures to feed the propellants into the thrust chamber. This type of system is typically used for space propulsion applications and auxiliary propulsion applications requiring low system pressures and small quantities of propellants. Propellant feed systems are further classified into tanks for keeping propellants and oxidizers, regulators, valves, turbopumps, and combustion chambers.

Cobham Mission Systems (UK), VACCO Industries (US), and Ram Company (US) are some of the players providing propellant feed systems.

North America holds the largest share in 2023.

North America holds the largest share in 2023. This large share is due to several factors, such as High spending on the space sector, a strong focus on the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies, and the presence of leading players in the region.

Space Propulsion Market by Region

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Key Market Players

Major players operating in the space propulsion companies include Safran S.A. (France), SpaceX (US), L3Harris Technologies Inc. (US), IHI Corporation (Japan), and Northrop Grumman Corporation (US).

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Scope of the Report

Space Propulsion Market Highlights

This research report categorizes the space propulsion market based on propulsion type, system component, orbit, platforms, end user, and region.

Recent Developments

• In June 2023, Safran SA’s subsidiary Safran Electronics & Defense signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Terran Orbital to examine and verify the requirements for the American manufacturing of a new generation of electric propulsion systems for satellites based on Safran's PPSX00 plasma thruster.
• In April 2023, Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc announced that it had received a USD 67 million worth contract from the Lockheed Martin Corporation to deliver propulsion systems for the Orion spacecraft that are planned to launch on Artemis missions VI-VIII.
• In December 2022, the Spanish Ministry of Defense awarded a contract to Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Airbus Defence and Space SAU, Dassault Aviation, Indra, and Eumet (a Joint Venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and MTU Aero Engines) for the development of next phase of NGWS/FCAS project.
• In August 2022, NASA awarded USD 1.4 Bn worth of five astronaut mission contracts to SpaceX. This contract was made under NASA’s Commercial Crew program, which delivers astronauts and cargo to and from the International Space Station

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