Satellite Antenna Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The satellite antenna market was valued at USD 3.51 billion in the previous year, and it is expected to register a CAGR of 10.94% during the forecast period, reaching USD 6.42 billion. As the demand for enhanced communication capabilities has grown significantly over the past few years in vital domains, including border security, marine interdiction, and mobile telecom, satellite antenna systems have emerged as essential solutions.

Key Highlights

• The demand for broadband communications continues to rise and is not necessarily location-specific. This demand includes the need for connection for users functioning on ships, planes, and vehicles (including first responders) that are both fixed and active. These three distinct platforms require constant connectivity along their routes, frequently passing through unserved sections of major metropolitan cities and less heavily populated regions.
• The growing number of space exploration missions, the proliferation of small satellites, rising investments, and expanding demand for satellite-assisted military systems are facilitating the expansion of the market studied. For instance, in March 2023, funding of USD 2.5 billion was announced as part of the federal budget to support Canadian leadership in space, including USD 150 million over five years for the Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP) to support Canada's advanced space industry and help accelerate the development of new technologies.
• Furthermore, due to the lightweight profile of the Ku band antennas, their application in space-bound projects is significantly higher than other bands. The satellite antennas deployed in space are being increasingly used for applications in telemetry, GPS (global positioning system), UHF (ultra-high frequency), FTS (flight termination system), etc.
• According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, as of April 30, 2022, the United States had 3,433 operational artificial satellites circling the Earth. It is the number of satellites a single country has to date, with China accounting for only 541. Furthermore, according to Jonathan's Space Report, an estimated 6,905 active satellites circled the Earth in 2022, an increase of 2,105 active satellites from 2021. Such a huge number of satellites is anticipated to provide opportunities for the growth of the market studied.
• Satellite antennas can get degraded or out of alignment over time, which can cause problems, including signal loss, interference, or poor performance. Regular maintenance and adjustment are required to guarantee efficient signal transmission and reception. However, maintaining satellite antennas, particularly those in geostationary orbit, may be expensive and logistically challenging, affecting market expansion. The solution to these difficulties is creating more durable and dependable antenna technology and enhancing maintenance procedures.
• Post-pandemic, several industries are investing in various strategic developments to gain market share and keep them updated with the current requirements in the market. For instance, in April 2023, the launch of the OpenEdgeTM 2500 digitizer, designed expressly to assist satellite antenna manufacturers in digitally enabling their products, was announced by Kratos Defence & Security Solutions, Inc., a technology firm specializing in defense, national security, and communications solutions. When incorporated into any antenna, the compact digitizer efficiently transforms radio frequency (RF) signals into Internet protocol (IP) data streams that may be used in contemporary software-defined communications networks.

Satellite Antenna Market Trends

Space Application is Expected to Hold Significant Market Share

• The global space industry has been experiencing significant growth and technological advancements, contributing to the increasing demand for satellite antennas worldwide.
• The growing demand for satellite-based communication services is a primary factor driving demand for satellite antennas in the market. With the expansion of global connectivity, there is an increasing need for antennas to facilitate communication between satellites and ground stations.
• In addition, miniaturization and cost reduction advancements are leading to the proliferation of small satellites, including CubeSats and nanosatellites. These small satellites often require smaller, more compact antennas, increasing demand for specialized miniaturized antenna solutions.
• Several players, such as SpaceX, OneWeb, and others, are developing plans for satellite constellations to provide global broadband coverage. ITU said there were around 1.4 billion fixed broadband subscriptions in the previous year, whereas active mobile broadband subscriptions were about 6.9 billion.
• The governments of several countries, such as India, have started space sector reforms to encourage, support, regulate, and provide startups and private companies an opportunity to engage in space operations to grow their market share globally, resulting in increased demand for satellite antennas.
• Thus, increasing demand for satellite antennas in the global space industry is driven by the expansion of satellite communication services, advancements in satellite technology, and growth in high bandwidth applications and is projected to continue during the forecast period.

North America to Hold Significant Market Share

• Satellite antennas are increasingly used in the United States to provide broadband internet access in remote and underserved areas where traditional terrestrial infrastructure is limited or unavailable. Satellite internet services offer a viable solution for bridging and ensuring connectivity in rural regions. Moreover, a surge in the need for reliable long-distance communication and broadcasting services drives the adoption of satellite antennas within the country.
• Moreover, one of the prime reasons for using satellite antennas on land is to provide broadband internet connectivity to rural and remote areas. In many rural regions, terrestrial infrastructure such as fiber optic cables or traditional broadband networks may not be economically feasible or geographically challenging to deploy, driving the market’s growth significantly.
• Canada is known for its vast and sparsely populated regions, making it challenging to deploy traditional broadband infrastructure. Satellite antennas provide an effective solution for delivering high-speed internet access to remote and underserved areas, contributing to the growth of satellite antennas in the country.
• Canada has a strong presence in Earth observation through satellite imagery. Moreover, satellite antennas are often installed in residential areas, particularly in rural and remote regions with limited terrestrial broadband options.
• Significant regional companies are also investing, merging with other businesses, and investing in new projects to increase their consumer base and better meet their demands across various applications. Hence, with ongoing partnerships and collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, and investments, the adoption of satellite antennas is expected to increase significantly during the forecast period.

Satellite Antenna Industry Overview

The Satellite Antenna market comprises several global and regional players vying for attention in a highly competitive market space due to the presence of many large players. The market poses high barriers to entry for new players, impacting the opportunities to gain traction. Many users opt for annual contracts or lease-based services to cut their costs. Of late, companies have also been opting for antennas that provide better frequency bands for various applications. This has led to an increase in the demand for satellite antennas. Most companies providing the product are major players in the market, such as Honeywell Inc., Harris, Mitsubishi, etc. Innovation brings about a sustainable and competitive advantage. The firm concentration ratio is expected to record moderate growth during the forecast period because several companies consider this market a lucrative opportunity. Overall, the competitive rivalry is expected to be high.

In June 2023, Oerlikon AM and Airbus signed a EUR 3.8 million (USD 4.18 million) contract for the additive manufacture of satellite antenna clusters. These components would be used in a series of communication satellites put into orbit. As part of this new contract, Oerlikon AM would 3D print aluminum antenna clusters that measure approximately 400 x 400 x 400 mm using laser powder bed fusion technology.

In February 2023, MDA secured a new contract with Argentina's National Telecommunications Company to supply Ka-band multi-beam antennas for its ARSAT-SG1 satellite which provides high-speed internet and digital video and voice services across the country and to Bolivia, Paraguay, and Chile.

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