Definition and Scope: Smaller satellites (600 kg and under) are categorized into five classes by the FAA. The report covers all launched from 2013 to 2022, with special attention to the impact of LEO broadband telecommunications satellites (Starlink and OneWeb).
Historical Trends:
Launch Numbers: The total number of spacecraft launched increased significantly, with over half of orbital launches since 2020 carrying smallsats.
Mass Distribution: Mini satellites (including Starlink) dominated in 2022, accounting for 55% of all smallsats launched over the decade. Excluding Starlink, micro satellites overtook nano satellites in 2022.
Share by Mass Class: Mini satellites held the largest share in 2022, while micro satellites became the leading class when Starlink and OneWeb were excluded.
Operator and Mission Type Trends
Applications: Communications satellites were the largest share in 2022, driven by LEO broadband systems. Excluding these, remote sensing and technology demonstration smallsats were the most prominent.
Commercial Activity: The number of commercial smallsats launched grew from 14 in 2013 to 2,192 in 2022. The U.S. dominated government smallsat deployments, followed by other countries like Japan and India.
Operator Distribution: Commercial operators led the growth, with a significant increase in academic and government involvement.
Smallsat Mass Trends
Average Mass: The deployment of large numbers of smallsats reduced the average spacecraft mass over the decade.
Mass Share of Total Upmass: Smallsats represented a growing share of total upmass, reflecting their increasing adoption in space missions.
Smallsat Launch Trends
Launch Vehicle Usage: Medium to heavy launch vehicles were the primary choice for deploying smallsats, though small launch and rideshare options are gaining traction. Dozens of companies are developing new small launch vehicles (<500 kg capacity).
Launch Frequency: The number of launches carrying smallsats has steadily increased, with more than half of orbital launches since 2020 involving smallsats.
Business Outcomes
Commercial Models: Smallsat ventures are focusing on proving business models, with increasing attention to communications megaconstellations like Starlink and OneWeb.
Government Use: The U.S. is likely to deploy national security proliferated architectures in 2023, with governments increasingly leveraging smallsats to augment existing capabilities.
GEO/NGSO Integration: Organizations are likely to expand GEO/NGSO integration through mergers and acquisitions to optimize traffic routing based on consumer needs and remote sensing data.
Key Conclusions
Smallsats have transformed space architectures, with mini and micro satellites becoming dominant classes.
Commercial and government sectors are driving growth, particularly in communications and remote sensing applications.
The rise of megaconstellations and small launch options is reshaping the smallsat market, with significant implications for future deployments and business models.
