Space Systems in Aerospace and Defense - Thematic Intelligence

Summary

The genesis of human spaceflight itself has its roots in geopolitical competition. When the Soviet Union stunned the world with the launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite in 1957, it jolted its American Cold War rivals into action borne largely out of fear of the implications of falling behind in space exploration. The craft was a relatively crude device that could only transmit a simple radio signal, but the implications of placing objects in orbit for communication and reconnaissance in military contexts were immediately apparent. The world’s first military use of satellites was the US Discoverer program in 1959, and as of 2023, there are at least 598 known military or dual-use satellites in orbit. The benefits that satellites bring to command and control, situational awareness, and precision guidance are crucial to how most modern militaries may effectively operate today, and further digitization will only increase the relevance of space systems in defense.

Beyond the defense context, satellites provide a wealth of services to the global economy on Earth that underpin most contemporary industries and prosperity as a whole. Maintaining this system and protecting it during times of conflict is quickly emerging as a core pillar of military strategy.

The space industry was once dominated by the major primes in the aerospace industry, but since the beginning of the 21st century, small and medium enterprises-along with technological innovations-have proliferated activity in space and driven down the cost of launching to orbit, which has always been the single largest barrier to entry.

Key Highlights

• Studies of emerging technological trends and their broader impact on the market.
• Analysis of the various space system programs currently under development, as well historical research initiatives.

Who Should Buy

• Our thematic research product, supported by our thematic engine, is aimed at senior (C-Suite) executives in the corporate world, decision makers, and institutional investors.
• Corporations: Helps CEOs, CTOs, and other senior executives of companies understand this key theme, the competitive environment, and the market opportunities.
• Investors: Helps fund managers and other major investors focus on investment opportunities in aerospace and understand the market around space systems

Scope

• The key challenges that the space industry faces are covered.
• The investment opportunities for prime contractors, suppliers, and institutional investors, across the whole space systems value chain are covered.
• Highlights from the range of different space systems programs currently being undertaken by various aerospace companies.

Reasons to Buy

• Determine potential investment companies based on trend analysis and market projections.
• Gaining an understanding of the market challenges and opportunities surrounding the space systems theme.
• Understanding how spending on space systems will fit into the overall market and which spending areas are being prioritized.