GLOBAL SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS (SSA) MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2023 - 2030)

The Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market size is expected to reach US$ 2.2 billion by 2030, from US$ 1.3 billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period.

Space situational awareness (SSA) refers to the ability to view and understand the orbital location and behavior of objects in space. It encompasses space surveillance and tracking (SST) technologies and services used to detect, predict, and analyze events in outer space. Key advantages of SSA include avoiding collisions between satellites and debris, ensuring safe space operations, and supporting space traffic management. The growth in the SSA market is driven by the rising congestion of space debris, increasing number of space launches, and growing need for space traffic management.

The Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market is segmented by offering, object, end user, and region. By offering, the market is segmented into services, software, and hardware. The services segment accounted for the largest share in 2022. Services include space surveillance & tracking, conjunction analysis, launch support, and specialized engineering services. The demand for SSA services is increasing owing to the growing number of satellite launches and need to ensure operational sustainability in space.

Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market Regional Insights:

• North America is expected to be the largest market for Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market during the forecast period, accounting for over 38.5% of the market share in 2022. The growth of the market in North America is attributed to the presence of major space organizations like NASA, investments in advanced SSA capabilities, and growing private sector participation.
• The Europe market is expected to be the second-largest market for Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market, accounting for over 32.2% of the market share in 2022. The growth of the market in Europe is attributed to the initiatives taken by European Space Agency towards developing a robust SSA framework and rise in space budgets of European countries.
• The Asia Pacific market is expected to be the fastest-growing market for Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market, with a CAGR of over 17.3% during the forecast period. The growth of the market in Asia Pacific is attributed to the increasing focus on developing indigenous space situational awareness capabilities and growing number of spacecraft launches from countries like India and China.

Figure 1. Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market Share (%), By Region, 2023

Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market Drivers:

• Increasing congestion of space debris: The excessive cluttering of space debris in the low Earth orbit (LEO) is a major factor driving the growth of the global space situational awareness (SSA) market. The high concentration of defunct satellites, rocket bodies, and fragmentation debris has increased the potential for collisions and interference with operational spacecraft. This has resulted in growing demand for advanced SSA capabilities to continuously monitor space debris and alert satellite operators about possible conjunction threats. Robust SSA data analytics, modeling, and conjunction assessment tools help identify debris objects, predict their trajectories, and mitigate collision risks through actionable insights.
• Demand for small satellites and mega constellations: The rising number of small satellite and mega constellation projects by new space companies is spurring the need for SSA solutions. As small satellites have limited maneuverability, the risk of collision and spacecraft failures increases in congested orbits. Operators rely on precise SSA data for launch planning, tracking assets, resolving anomalies, and deorbiting at end-of-life. Improved SSA capabilities can enable safe deployment and management of large smallsat constellations in space.
• Investments in space traffic management (STM) infrastructure: Government and private investments in developing space traffic management infrastructure are boosting the SSA market growth. As the orbital environment gets more crowded, STM is vital to coordinate activities and avoid accidents in space. This requires robust SSA capabilities for real-time tracking, data exchange, and risk assessment. More countries are developing STM frameworks and testing new technologies to maintain safe flight operations. Such initiatives are spurring SSA innovation and uptake.
• Advancements in AI, cloud computing and SSA software: The integration of new technologies such as AI, machine learning, cloud computing, and big data analytics in SSA software solutions is transforming market capabilities. Advanced algorithms automate the processing and analysis of massive amounts of data from sensors and satellites. Cloud-based SSA platforms enable efficient data storage and sharing for optimized decision-making regarding spaceflight safety and asset security. Innovative software tools are making SSA more scalable, accurate and comprehensive.

Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market Opportunities:

• Emergence of commercial SSA data and services: The rise of NewSpace companies offering commercial SSA data and services presents significant growth opportunities. Companies like LeoLabs, ExoAnalytic Solutions, and Lockheed Martin have developed SSA capabilities targeted for commercial clients. Offerings include debris mapping, predictive analytics, satellite tracking apps, and collision avoidance services. The commercialization of SSA opens its applications for more industry players beyond governments. It provides satellite operators actionable SSA insights for maximizing spacecraft lifespan and mission success.
• Adoption of cloud computing and SSA-as-a-Service: The adoption of cloud-based solutions presents an opportunity to improve flexibility, accessibility and affordability of SSA capabilities. Platforms like Amazon Web Services allow accessing advanced SSA tools via cloud infrastructure. SSA-as-a-Service models can help smaller space players tap into analytics without large setup costs. Cloud computing enables seamless SSA data sharing across stakeholders worldwide. As more satellites are launched, cloud-based services provide scalable and on-demand SSA for collaborative space traffic management.
• Development of autonomous collision avoidance systems: Advancements in AI and robotics have opened up prospects for automated collision avoidance capabilities in satellites. Onboard systems powered by SSA data can automatically maneuver satellites to prevent collisions. Startups like LeoLabs and Numerica are working on debris detection sensors for satellites. In-space autonomous systems reduce dependence on ground-based tracking and enable rapid responses to threats. As the space environment grows more hazardous, such technologies will become essential for asset security and sustainable space operations.
• Scope for miniaturized and networked SSA sensors: The miniaturization of sensors, electronics and satellite components is enabling innovative compact SSA payloads for nano and cube satellites. Global sensor networks comprising small satellites with SSA technology offer opportunities to enhance coverage, resolution and revisit rates. Platforms like Spire Global’s Lemur nano-satellites provide real-time tracking and analytics. Developments in small, low-cost sensors facilitate distributed SSA architecture. Larger satellite fleets with networked sensors can dramatically improve the cataloguing and monitoring of space objects.

Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market Trends:

• Proliferation of mega constellations in LEO: The trend of deploying large constellations of hundreds to thousands of satellites in LEO orbits for global connectivity is rising. Starlink, OneWeb, Kuiper represent ambitious mega-constellation projects underway. While bringing benefits, large batches of satellites make orbits more crowded. Tracking assets, avoiding collisions and mitigating space debris will require precise SSA and coordination. This trend is spurring technology innovation and investments in SSA infrastructure.
• Public-private collaboration on STA/STM frameworks: Collaborative development of civil/military space traffic awareness (STA) and management (STM) frameworks involving governments, private companies and academia is rising. Initiatives like the US Commerce Department's Open Architecture Data Repository seek to enable data sharing across entities for comprehensive SSA. The EU is also funding STM projects and fostering ties between space agencies, industry and research institutes. Such partnerships leverage strengths of different stakeholders for robust STM based on SSA.
• Leveraging Big Data and AI for SSA modernization: Incorporating big data analytics, machine learning and AI into existing SSA systems is a growing trend. The application of advanced algorithms on huge datasets enables automation of tasks like object detection, cataloguing, orbit propagation and risk probability. For instance, the US Air Force is testing AI technologies to optimize its Space Surveillance Network. Big data improves insights from multi-sensor systems. AI and automation help overcome human limitations in managing large space object catalogs.
• Development of national and regional SSA capabilities: More countries and regions are developing indigenous SSA capabilities for strategic interests and commercial needs. Japan, India, South Korea, UAE, South Africa, Australia, and others operate SSA assets. The EU is building its own SSA framework. Resource sharing between regional partners is also rising. Drivers include securing space infrastructure, enabling responsible behavior, and leveraging SSA expertise. Distributed SSA architecture provides data redundancy while reducing reliance on few operators.

Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market Restraints:

• High costs involved in developing SSA infrastructure: A major restraint for SSA market growth is the substantial costs involved in building and maintaining required infrastructure and software systems. Key capabilities like space-based sensors, radars, and telescopes involve high capital expenditure. Complex data analytics and modeling tools also require significant investments. This can be challenging for smaller nations and operators to fund indigenous SSA programs. The specialized expertise needed further adds to costs.
• Technical limitations in tracking small-sized debris: While SSA technology has improved greatly, tracking and cataloguing of smaller sized debris (under 10 cm) still remains a challenge. Such debris traveling at hyper velocities can inflict serious damage to satellites and spacecraft. Limitations in detection capabilities pose risks, even as the debris problem worsens. Further innovation is needed to improve monitoring of centimeter-sized debris and micrometeorites posing dangers in space.
• Data accuracy and uncertainty issues: Despite advanced sensors and algorithms, SSA data on space objects contains inherent uncertainties and errors. Factors like limited optical resolutions, observation gaps, modelling approximations, and data processing limitations affect accuracy. Collision probability calculations can suffer from mistaken data. Low spacecraft maneuverability also constrains collision avoidance. Such issues can undermine SSA effectiveness for operators. Enhancing data precision and transparency remains an area of improvement.

Recent Developments:

New product launches:

• In March 2022, ExoAnalytic Solutions launched its Space Domain Awareness software platform EQtips to deliver SSA capabilities to commercial and government customers. The platform provides high-fidelity orbital data on space objects.
• In January 2021, Northrop Grumman introduced its new Space Logistics Command Suite to provide advanced SSA capabilities. The product offers rapid data gathering, analytics and conjunction assessment for space missions.
• In June 2020, Lockheed Martin announced a new Space Situation Awareness system that leverages AI and cloud computing to enhance tracking of resident space objects. It would help gain better insights into space events.

Acquisition and partnerships:

• In October 2021, Spire Global acquired exactEarth Ltd. to strengthen its SSA data and analytics capabilities. The acquisition expanded Spire’s dataset on space objects and supported maritime and aviation customers.
• In March 2020, Planet signed a contract with ESA to build optical space surveillance systems for tracking objects in LEO and GEO orbits. The collaboration enhanced ESA's SSA capabilities.
• In January 2019, Airbus acquired Analytics Graphics, Inc. to boost its SSA expertise and services. The acquisition allowed Airbus to leverage AGI’s Orbitron orbital mechanics software and diversify its digital offerings.

Figure 2. Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market Share (%), By Type, 2023

Top companies in Global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market:

• Lockheed Martin
• Northrop Grumman
• Analytical Graphics
• ExoAnalytic Solutions
• Schafer
• Etamax Space
• Vision Engineering Solutions (VECA Group)
• Applied Defense Solutions
• Spire Global
• Harris

Definition: Space situational awareness (SSA) refers to comprehensive knowledge about the space environment including physical locations and conditions of space assets. It involves surveillance and tracking of man-made objects along with monitoring of space weather conditions. SSA provides real-time tracking data on the positions and motions of satellites, spent rocket bodies, and space debris. Key applications include collision avoidance between space objects, spacecraft anomaly resolution, high accuracy tracking of satellites, space asset protection, and space traffic management. SSA utilizes ground-based radars and telescopes as well as data from space-based sensors to develop an accurate catalogue of space objects. With the increasing congestion in space, SSA has become critical to ensure safe and sustainable use of outer space. It helps prevent accidental collisions and supports re-entry predictions of space debris. Overall, SSA provides vital intelligence to both government and commercial entities about events, trends and threats in the space domain.

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