{"id":46665,"date":"2026-07-27T20:57:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T12:57:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/how-fast-can-you-build-a-satellite-inside-the-smallsat-manufacturing-market\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T20:57:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T12:57:22","slug":"how-fast-can-you-build-a-satellite-inside-the-smallsat-manufacturing-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/how-fast-can-you-build-a-satellite-inside-the-smallsat-manufacturing-market\/","title":{"rendered":"How Fast Can You Build a Satellite? Inside the Smallsat Manufacturing Market"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\">There\u2019s no escaping the three-body problem\u2014not in physics, but in project management. The classic constraints always apply: good, fast, cheap. Except in space, where there\u2019s a fourth variable: flexibility.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Today, smallsat manufacturing is experiencing an industrial revolution. Manufacturers across the globe are investing billions in state-of-the-art facilities and advanced production techniques to accelerate speed to orbit. Yet, the more they adopt mass-production principles, the more delicate the balance between speed and multi-mission capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_1-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 120px; height: auto;\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_1-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fs-5 mt-0\">Explore the August 2026 Issue<\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-0 fs-smaller text-balance\">Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<button class=\"btn btn-primary\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"offcanvas\" data-bs-target=\"#offcanvasMENU\" aria-controls=\"offcanvasExample\" aria-label=\"button\" style=\"white-space: nowrap;\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tView More <i class=\"bi bi-arrow-right-circle\"><\/i><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">It\u2019s \u201cnot speed for its own sake,\u201d Millennium Space Systems CEO Tony Gingiss tells <i>Via Satellite<\/i>. \u201cThe challenge is to maximize repeatability while still meeting specific customer requirements. The broader industry is learning the same lesson: the more you can standardize the underlying architecture and production approach, the better positioned you are to move quickly without sacrificing quality.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Millennium, a subsidiary of Boeing, expanded its production space to nearly 42,000 square feet in 2025 with plans to increase production to 26 satellites per year. The buildout will support billions of dollars in active defense contracts, including for the Space Force\u2019s next-generation maneuverable RG-XX program and the eight-satellite FOO Fighter demonstration constellation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Accelerating the speed of smallsat delivery is not about adjusting a single variable or a single part of the production line, says Raycho Raychev, CEO of EnduroSat, one of Europe\u2019s fastest-growing space infrastructure companies. \u201cMost people really still believe there is one \u2018aha moment\u2019 innovation that will be game changing,\u201d he tells <i>Via Satellite<\/i>. \u201cWe believe in incrementally solving multiple different problems in the engineering, in the operations, in the supply chain. And by tackling all of them, the net effect on the customer is just staggering.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a675e2e8e3ed;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a675e2e8e3ed = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a675e2e8e3ee').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a675e2e8e3ee'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The Bulgaria-based company has produced more than 200 satellites over the last two years, averaging one satellite every three days in its 188,340-square-foot facility. EnduroSat uses a fixed satellite platform and mass-manufactured subsystem modules, with flexible configurations and cableless assembly. It acknowledges this approach compromises mission flexibility but says the system is optimized for six-to-nine-month deliveries and predictable costs per bit of data.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cYou\u2019re really left with two options,\u201d says EnduroSat CTO Victor Danchev. \u201cGet 100 percent of what you want, which is your perfect ideal mission \u2014 which is usually over budget and is going to come in a few years. Or get 80 percent of what you want tomorrow morning and start delivering data immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Cumulative global satellite manufacturing revenues are projected to reach $132 billion between 2026 and 2034, according to Analysys Mason. At the same time the smallsat sector is growing, it\u2019s also seeing increasingly diverse customer demands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cFlexibility is the most important, both in what you can do and how you can offer it,\u201d says Dallas Kasaboski, principal analyst and head of the Satellite Manufacturing and Launch program at Analysys Mason. \u201cYou have a greater demand from the established market, and you have a growing, diversified demand from a diversified market.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_442500\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-442500\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-442500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Small-Sat-Factory-2-Millennium-Space-Systems-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Small-Sat-Factory-2-Millennium-Space-Systems-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Small-Sat-Factory-2-Millennium-Space-Systems-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Small-Sat-Factory-2-Millennium-Space-Systems.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-442500\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Millennium Space Systems has expanded production capacity at its smallsat factory in El Segundo, California. Photo: Millennium Space Systems<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p5\"><b>Virtual Factories, Real Capacity<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\">Assembly-line satellite manufacturing has been used for nearly three decades, since Iridium and Globalstar\u2019s first attempts to build megaconstellations. Since then, the sector has largely converged on modern manufacturing principles \u2014 stable designs, modular parts, repeatable processes, and a growing software-based production infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">As a prime integrator that is independent of a payload provider, Sierra Space uses repeatable processes and standardized parts in subassemblies and production lines. This configuration supports speed but leaves a margin to tailor missions during integration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cWe focus all that customization on the final integration, which really is the mission solution set,\u201d says Amish Patel, chief operations officer at Sierra Space. \u201cWe\u2019ve looked at everything below the mission set and standardized it, and where we can\u2019t standardize the product itself, we standardize the process. That gives a highly customized mission capability optimized for cost and schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Sierra has more than $1.5 billion in national security contracts, including satellites for Tranche 2 of the Space Development Agency\u2019s (SDA) Tracking Layer. Earlier this year, the company completed the first nine of 18 SDA satellite structures three months ahead of schedule, beginning work on the satellites while the company was still building its 60,000 square-foot facility outside Denver, Colorado.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a675e2e8e8fc;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a675e2e8e8fc = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a675e2e8e8fd').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a675e2e8e8fd'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cThe speed really comes from good design in the beginning,\u201d says Patel. By loading digital models onto augmented reality\/virtual reality (AR\/VR) headsets, technicians could \u201cdesign the production workspace and the cells before we even finished the factory,\u201d Patel explained. \u201cThat actually sped up the manufacturing process, as well as the design feedback loop.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Across the sector, there is a growing reliance on digital environments. Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) simulations and digital twins are used extensively to accelerate payload integration and coordinate across the industrial base. Despite the hype around artificial intelligence, few companies are using it on the factory floor. ReOrbit, a Finnish manufacturer with a software-first approach, is an exception. The company is currently working on a demonstration using AI to generate part of its flight software, with human-in-the-loop oversight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cWe need to be looking at various options on how we can use AI in our day-to-day world,\u201d ReOrbit CEO Sethu Saveda Suvanam tells <i>Via Satellite<\/i>. \u201cIf companies cannot adapt and imagine how they can transform what they\u2019re doing manually to AI in flight-critical areas, I think they will be lost.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Companies with significant defense and intelligence contracts note that they are restricted from using AI based on large language models (LLMs) in critical processes and tend to use AI for efficiencies like optimizing workflows, planning, and back office operations.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_442501\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-442501\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-442501\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ENDUROSAT-AETHERO-CLEANROOM-1-EnduroSat-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ENDUROSAT-AETHERO-CLEANROOM-1-EnduroSat-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ENDUROSAT-AETHERO-CLEANROOM-1-EnduroSat-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ENDUROSAT-AETHERO-CLEANROOM-1-EnduroSat-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ENDUROSAT-AETHERO-CLEANROOM-1-EnduroSat.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-442501\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">EnduroSat clean room in Sofia, Bulgaria. Photo: EnduroSat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><b>The Fastest Way to Orbit: Vertical or Horizontal?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">Despite more diverse opportunities, the smallsat market continues to be dominated by a handful of highly vertically integrated players. Of the more than 36,500 satellites planned to be built and launched as a part of constellations over the next decade, more than half will be produced by SpaceX, Amazon Leo, or as part of China\u2019s megaconstellations. This leaves independent manufacturers with a smaller, more competitive playing field and bids typically in the ones, tens and hundreds of smallsats.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cIf you\u2019re a full satellite manufacturer or an integrator, then you are greatly challenged by this in-house, vertical integration market,\u201d says Kasaboski. \u201cIf you\u2019re anything below a satellite manufacturer, the market actually opens up a little bit. If you\u2019re a component supplier, you can be more agnostic, where you\u2019re not as locked in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Vertical integration has largely become the default over recent years, as companies either build in-house capabilities or acquire existing companies. The trend in vertical integration is largely driven by advantages in production speed, volume and greater control over supply chains. Kasaboski notes, \u201cThe more of the market you control, the more control you have of the market.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a675e2e8ecdf;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a675e2e8ecdf = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a675e2e8ece0').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a675e2e8ece0'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Swissto12, which secured nearly 100 million euros ($117 million) in public-private funding this year, has invested significantly in in-house production for its 3D-printed payload units and antenna systems, as well as a standardized smallsat platform for Geostationary Orbit (GEO).<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cWe have our 3D printing in-house. We have our CNC [computer numerical control] machining facility in-house,\u201d Swissto12 Chief Product Officer Dr. Frank Schrekenbach tells <i>Via Satellite, <\/i>citing the March addition of 10,764 square feet of cleanroom space. \u201cThat\u2019s enabled us in our Swiss office to have engineering, manufacturing and test facilities under one roof, and that enables fast iterations and fast conversions towards a robust product.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">While most companies are internalizing production lines, others are skeptical that existing opportunities do not justify the cost of in-house manufacturing. Rather than CapEx-intensive vertical integration, some producers are looking externally to leverage a diverse, maturing supplier ecosystem.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cEveryone today is looking at the so-called Henry Ford moment. Let\u2019s vertically integrate everything without having the necessary volumes to do so. Let\u2019s bring everything in-house,\u201d says Suvanam. \u201cWe believe this is a myth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">As one of a small handful of horizontally integrated companies, ReOrbit has adopted the approach of the PC and consumer electronics sector, utilizing commercially available hardware with a proprietary software stack. \u201cWe are not married to one particular supplier or supply chain,\u201d Suvanam says. \u201cWe can basically choose and mix what is available in the market. Then, our speed is basically determined by our ability to integrate. And the integration of established systems can be done in a day or two days.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_442502\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-442502\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-442502 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20251008_SolarTesting_0862-Sierra-Space-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20251008_SolarTesting_0862-Sierra-Space-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20251008_SolarTesting_0862-Sierra-Space-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20251008_SolarTesting_0862-Sierra-Space.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-442502\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sierra Space opened a new power station production facility in Broomfield, Colorado in 2025 to produce<br \/>Surface Mount Technology (SMT) solar arrays. Photo: Sierra Space<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p5\"><b>Demand Forecasts<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\">Companies are reporting stacked order sheets and large sales pipelines. According to Gingiss, demand for Millennium\u2019s space vehicles is \u201capproaching triple digits\u201d over the next three years. EnduroSat says its space service business is on track to reach 72 times growth this year, just three years after it launched. ReOrbit, which reports a 149 million euro ($170.3 million) backlog, has yet to launch its software-defined satellites, but recently sold two small GEO communication satellites to SLI and is working toward a launch date for its UKKO mission with ESA.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The smallsat sector is being bolstered by growing defense budgets. Europe is expected to invest more than $109 billion in space by the end of the decade and U.S. lawmakers are weighing a $71.1 billion FY2027 Space Force budget, more than twice the size of the FY2026 allocation. At the same time, manufacturers are reporting continuous, strong demand from sovereign governments for security and economic resilience, as well as from commercial and civil end users, driven by satellite broadband, direct-to-device constellations, Earth Observation (EO) and experimental sensors.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Swissto12 is tracking growing interest in sovereign communications, with a backlog of smallsat opportunities across orbits, frequencies, and missions. \u201cIt\u2019s all about multi-mission capabilities,\u201d says Schrekenbach. \u201cThe market is diversifying in terms of missions and orbits. It\u2019s also diversifying in terms of operators \u2014 from very traditional to newcomers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a675e2e8f07e;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a675e2e8f07e = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a675e2e8f07f').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a675e2e8f07f'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p5\"><b>Supply Chain Fragility<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\">The growing demand in the smallsat sector has also exposed the fragility of supply chains. Earlier this year, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) released a report warning that industry growth is outpacing space industrial base capacity. Semiconductors, carbon fiber composites, electronics and avionics components, and other parts are experiencing competitive demand across industries and long lead times. Source materials and rare earth elements are subject to price volatility, geopolitical conflicts, tariffs, and security concerns related to sole-country sourcing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cIt\u2019s about five times more complicated and less intuitive to construct a supply chain that can contend with problems and component shortages versus inventing a technology,\u201d says<br \/>\nRaychev, noting that supply chain management is often overlooked in the space sector. This leads to impressive engineering that is ultimately \u201cunproduceable\u201d at scale.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Because manufacturing speed is inseparable from supply chains, manufacturers are prioritizing the investment of resources, time and technology into intelligently managed supply chains. This includes identifying and securing long-lead materials, warehousing and strategic stockpiling, diversifying suppliers and implementing planning tools to mitigate bottlenecks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Amid a solar panel supply crunch and Chinese export bans on critical materials, more companies are bringing power generation in-house. Sierra Space opened a 70,000-square-foot power station facility in 2025, using surface mounted technology (SMT) automation to produce roughly 150 kilowatts of solar generation per year to power spacecraft.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cOur competitors have to design and build and grow solar cells that are custom to each application. Ours are standardized,\u201d says Patel. \u201cThat means we can stock it in inventory, reducing that lead time significantly and reducing the volatility of delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Trends in technological sovereignty and reduced reliance on global suppliers are even further complicating supply chain dynamics. The European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States have protections to ensure high levels of domestic production for defense and secure communications constellations, such as content requirements for Europe\u2019s IRIS\u00b2 or U.S. \u201cBuy American\u201d provisions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cThe definition of sovereignty is evolving very rapidly,\u201d says Suvanam. \u201cThe natural evolution of \u2018sovereignty 2.0\u2019 is not just about owning the satellite constellation, but [owning] every subsystem that\u2019s going into the system, because I want to have complete control of my supply chain.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Even as companies tackle known bottlenecks, the supplier ecosystem remains vulnerable. Some of the most vertically integrated companies may rely on a single supplier for payloads or specific components, which is \u201cnot sustainable,\u201d<br \/>\nKasaboski warns. Supply chains remain a problem, he says, \u201cbecause with more volume of demand and a diversified demand, more people are coming to this market than before.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p5\"><b>Finding Balance<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\">Getting to space has always been about tradeoffs and there is no escaping the iron constraints of quality, cost, speed, and mission flexibility. Manufacturers are simultaneously optimizing and compromising points of the production process to meet increasingly varied customer requirements and tight delivery timelines.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">\u201cThere\u2019s a huge potential for the industry when we\u2019re really focusing on the customer, understanding their needs, understanding what is mission critical,\u201d says Schrekenbach. \u201cBecause that will impact development. That will impact the assembly, integration, and test plans. That will impact, also, some supply chain decisions. And here you can gain a lot.\u201d <b>VS<\/b><\/p>\n<p>,<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">In This Issue<\/h2>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 442504:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_5-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_5-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_5-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_5-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_5-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t10 Smallsat Startups to Watch in 2026<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 442510:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MXQAMVzTbitqnvXJcNpt_VS_090121_DGTL_2-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MXQAMVzTbitqnvXJcNpt_VS_090121_DGTL_2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MXQAMVzTbitqnvXJcNpt_VS_090121_DGTL_2-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MXQAMVzTbitqnvXJcNpt_VS_090121_DGTL_2-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MXQAMVzTbitqnvXJcNpt_VS_090121_DGTL_2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tIn the AI Era, Constellations Emerge As a New Strategic Class of Assets<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 442512:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/yV9qcmBITPeBlrQyP8Uw_Editors_Note-300x167.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/yV9qcmBITPeBlrQyP8Uw_Editors_Note-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/yV9qcmBITPeBlrQyP8Uw_Editors_Note-800x446.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/yV9qcmBITPeBlrQyP8Uw_Editors_Note-640x357.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/yV9qcmBITPeBlrQyP8Uw_Editors_Note.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tNew Horizons  for the Smallsat Industry<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 442508:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/iss050e066094_medium-300x200.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/iss050e066094_medium-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/iss050e066094_medium.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/iss050e066094_medium-301x200.jpg 301w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/iss050e066094_medium-1000x665.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tThermodynamics Does Not Care About Your Form Factor<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s no escaping the three-body problem\u2014not in physics, but in project management. The classic constraints always apply: good, fast, cheap. Except in space, where there\u2019s a fourth variable: flexibility. Today, smallsat manufacturing is experiencing an industrial revolution. Manufacturers across the globe are investing billions in state-of-the-art facilities and advanced production techniques to accelerate speed to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46666,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46665"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46665"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46665\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}