𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 (𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲, & 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞)

 Several new firms have entered the satellite industry in recent years, intending to launch small, relatively affordable satellites with capabilities equal to those given by established large-size satellites. The arrival of this new paradigm has sparked rivalry with current large-satellite producers, altering the game's rules and posing a challenge to long-established industry participants, whose old manufacturing processes are being challenged. As a result, in the current space-industry environment, adopting innovative manufacturing methods by the satellite manufacturers is not only desirable, but also necessary for increasing efficiency and competitiveness. Currently, the majority of GEO communications satellites must be custom-built, which increases to their cost. On-orbit software upgrades would allow manufacturers to mass-produce homogenous satellite that operators could subsequently customize to their unique, changing needs via software uploads.

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐃𝐅 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞: https://bit.ly/38yGTdz 

Increase in the Number of Space Exploration Missions

In recent years, the number of space exploration missions has increased as launch costs have reduced, technology has advanced, and public interest in space exploration has developed. The missions of the space expeditions are mostly focused on human Low-Earth-Orbit missions and unmanned scientific research. In addition, the Space Force, which will be established as a sixth branch of the U.S. military in 2019, as well as increased interest from Russia and China, is projected to boost public-sector investment in the space industry in the coming years. As part of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2020, the U.S. government formed a U.S. Space Command, which includes a Space Operations Force and a Space Development Agency, in December 2019. 

This development will most certainly benefit the U.S. Defense Department as well as the aerospace and defense sectors, allowing for more focused and faster investment in breakthrough technologies and capabilities. There is a rise in the need for satellite manufacturing to augment space exploration missions with the increase in the number of space expedition missions. For instance, in July 2021, using a 747 airliner, Virgin Orbit launched seven satellites from three different customers namely U.S. Defense Department, the Royal Netherlands Air Force, and Poland’s SatRevolution company.

Rise in Demand for Satellite Aided Warfare

Several tests and demonstrations are being carried out by government organizations and defense forces around the world to establish space warfare capabilities. Ground-to-space warfare, such as attacking satellites from the ground, space-to-space warfare, such as satellites attacking satellites, and space-to-ground warfare, such as satellites targeting Earth-based objects, are all different forms of space warfare. The U.S, Russia, and India, as well as other big economies, have developed dedicated space force groups to establish space defense infrastructure. For instance, the Indian government formed the Defence Space Agency (DSA) in April 2019. The agency is in charge of India's space-warfare and satellite intelligence assets. 

Satellite technologies are rapidly being used by military forces around the world to supplement their defense capabilities. For instance, United Launch Alliance (ULA), launched the fifth Space-Based Infrared System satellite for the U.S. Space Force in May 2021. With the help of its onboard infrared sensors, the $1 billion satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, is designed to identify and track plumes produced by missile launches throughout the world. Its capabilities will allow the U.S to prepare for any imminent attacks. Government and defense organizations' growing effort to expand space defense capabilities has bolstered the satellite manufacturing market's growth.

Advancement in satellite mission technologies

The small satellite standard was developed to offer universities and research organizations with faster and more cost-effective access to space. Leading players across the world are making many advancements in satellite technology (such as hyperspectral and multispectral imaging and additive manufacturing) to further expand the capabilities of satellites, decrease the cost, and improve the customizability of satellites. Hyper-spectral and multi-spectral imaging enhance the capabilities of satellites in collecting precise data about the changes in the environment. Hyperspectral sensors produce images comprising highly detailed spectral data that allow the detection of micro-level changes in the environment such as in soil, crops, and water. 

Advancement in satellite mission technologies

The small satellite standard was developed to offer universities and research organizations with faster and more cost-effective access to space. Leading players across the world are making many advancements in satellite technology (such as hyperspectral and multispectral imaging and additive manufacturing) to further expand the capabilities of satellites, decrease the cost, and improve the customizability of satellites. Hyper-spectral and multi-spectral imaging enhance the capabilities of satellites in collecting precise data about the changes in the environment. Hyperspectral sensors produce images comprising highly detailed spectral data that allow the detection of micro-level changes in the environment such as in soil, crops, and water. 

Key players operating in the satellite manufacturing market include Airbus S.E, Arianespace, Geooptics, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Maxar, Northrop Grumman Corporation, SpaceX, Thales Group, The Boeing Company, and Viasat, Inc.

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