Space In-Orbit Refueling Market to Reach $1.09 Billion by 2032
The global space in-orbit refueling market is expected to be valued at $7.5 million in 2026 and is projected to reach $1.09 billion by 2032, according to a new report from BIS Research.
"The in-orbit servicing segment of the space industry has just got started with a few life-extension missions successfully achieving their objectives.
Arun Kumar Sampathkumar, Principal Analyst, BIS Research.
While the de-orbiting service segment is expected to be the largest in terms of quantum of demand, the refueling and life-extension segments are expected to remain prominent in the short term." Arun Kumar Sampathkumar, Principal Analyst, BIS Research.
The report finds that the factors responsible for the increase in demand for such services include:
Increase in demand for sustainable and reusable space systems
Life extension services to enable other in-orbit services in future
"The in-orbit servicing segment of the space industry has just got started with a few life-extension missions successfully achieving their objectives. While the de-orbiting service segment is expected to be the largest in terms of quantum of demand, the refueling and life-extension segments are expected to remain prominent in the short term," said Arun Kumar Sampathkumar, Principal Analyst, BIS Research. "Since the deployment of refueling-compatible hardware is yet to be deployed across missions, moving forward, with such hardware being included as part of satellite platforms, the refueling segment is expected to migrate from a non-cooperative life-extension format to a co-operative refueling format, post which the market is expected to enter a steady growth phase. The in-orbit refueling market will also be driven by the start-ups that are focused on establishing unique use cases to support a range of operators covering earth-orbit to deep space missions."
The North America region leads the market when it comes to space in-orbit refueling systems. This growth is attributed to major players operating in this region and their high engagement in developing and providing space in-orbit refueling solutions.
Most of the in-orbit refueling service providers are working with various national space agencies and commercial space players such as NASA and ESA. Innovations, investments, and developments have been the key factors for rapid growth in this market.
The space in-orbit refueling providers are expanding their businesses and are also entering strategic partnerships to co-develop technologies and enable each other's services to pace up their development in the market.
(Source: BIS Research news release. Image from file)