Record Launches and Broadband Growth Propel Global Space Economy to $429 Billion
Satellite Industry Association’s Annual Report Finds 65 Percent Jump in Satellites Deployed, Surging Broadband Subscribers
A record 4,434 satellites were launched into Earth orbit in 2025 — a 65 percent increase over the prior year — as the global space economy expanded 3 percent to $429 billion, according to the Satellite Industry Association’s 29th annual State of the Satellite Industry Report, released May 13, 2026.
“In 2025, thanks to continued innovation and investment, the commercial satellite industry further expanded at a historic rate.”
Tom Stroup, SIA
The landmark figures reflect an industry where falling manufacturing costs, improved launch economics and rapid advances in satellite capabilities are opening new markets while deepening penetration of existing ones. The commercial satellite sector reached $303 billion, representing 71 percent of total global space activity.
The report, produced by BryceTech, draws on proprietary surveys of satellite companies, public data and independent analysis to assess performance across satellite services, manufacturing, ground equipment, space sustainability and launch services.
Launch Services
The year’s 296 commercially procured satellite launches were part of a broader total of 325 launches conducted worldwide. Commercial launch revenue surged 33 percent to $12.4 billion compared with 2024. U.S. launch companies captured 63 percent of all launches conducted during the year and 59 percent of commercially procured launch revenue.
Satellite Manufacturing
The 4,434 satellites launched during the year drove satellite manufacturing revenues to $20.4 billion, a marginal increase over 2024. U.S. firms manufactured 83 percent of commercially procured satellites and earned 47 percent of manufacturing revenues. At year’s end, 14,266 operational satellites circled the globe, with American companies wholly or partially operating more than 70 percent of them.
Satellite Services
Global satellite broadband subscribers grew 62 percent year-over-year, surpassing 10 million for the first time, while broadband revenue rose 16 percent. Remote sensing revenue increased 4 percent compared with 2024, and the number of remote sensing satellites on orbit has grown 47 percent since 2016. Combined satellite services revenue totaled $105.0 billion for the year.
Ground Segment
Satellite ground network equipment revenues grew 8 percent and global navigation satellite system, or GNSS, equipment revenues increased 6 percent, together generating $165.2 billion — up 6 percent over 2024. Satellite operators continued to pursue spectrum acquisitions and network upgrades to support emerging Direct-to-Device, or D2D, services.
Space Sustainability
Commercial space sustainability activities generated approximately $500 million in revenue during 2025, an estimated increase of nearly 43 percent over 2024 — a sign that the sector is beginning to take on commercial scale as the orbital environment grows more congested.
“In 2025, thanks to continued innovation and investment, the commercial satellite industry further expanded at a historic rate,” said Tom Stroup, president of the Satellite Industry Association. “Not only is the number of satellites increasing, space-based assets are more productive than ever before and can do more at a lower cost to manufacture and deploy. Increased utility and new capabilities will continue to benefit the hundreds of millions of Americans and billions of global customers that already rely on satellites every day.”
Stroup added that U.S. industry leadership remained firm across every major segment. “America’s industry leadership position continued in 2025 as U.S. firms manufactured 83% of commercially procured satellites launched in 2025 while American launch companies captured 63% of the launches conducted throughout the year and 59 percent of commercially-procured launch revenue,” he said. “At the end of 2025, American companies continued to wholly or partially operate more than 70 percent of the total number of satellites circling the globe.”
The executive summary of the 2026 SSIR is available to the public. Full report copies are available for purchase. SIA members receive complimentary access.
More on the report is coming with Tom Stroup on Space Commerce Week this Sunday