{"id":50071,"date":"2024-12-04T01:33:42","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T17:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/10-tech-trends-that-will-impact-the-satellite-industry-in-2025\/"},"modified":"2024-12-04T01:33:42","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T17:33:42","slug":"10-tech-trends-that-will-impact-the-satellite-industry-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/10-tech-trends-that-will-impact-the-satellite-industry-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tech Trends That Will Impact the Satellite Industry in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As 2024 concludes on the heels of increasing global conflicts and a contentious U.S. presidential election, the satellite and space industry is poised for an interesting 12 months as LEO, launch, and lunar ambitions advance in the push for greater space resilience.<\/p>\n<p>The World Economic Forum\u2019s Space Economy report predicts that the industry will grow to $1.8 trillion over the next 11 years, and not surprisingly, 2025 stands to be a pivotal year for space capabilities, regulatory developments, and global engagement. Despite economic and geopolitical uncertainty on the ground, excitement for the final frontier remains strong.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COSTC8wTRTWXGaVLlreG_VS_120124_DGTL_1-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 120px; height: auto;\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COSTC8wTRTWXGaVLlreG_VS_120124_DGTL_1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COSTC8wTRTWXGaVLlreG_VS_120124_DGTL_1-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COSTC8wTRTWXGaVLlreG_VS_120124_DGTL_1-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COSTC8wTRTWXGaVLlreG_VS_120124_DGTL_1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fs-5 mt-0\">Explore the December 2024 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>\u201cIf the Apollo era was the golden age of space, then now we\u2019re in the renaissance of space,\u201d says Clay Mowry, CEO of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).  \u201cThis is the most exciting time to be in space in the 30 years I\u2019ve been in the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em class=\"Annotation -emphasis\">Via Satellite<\/em> asked industry leaders to weigh in on the 10 trends that they are watching most closely in 2025. Here\u2019s what they had to say.<\/p>\n<h3>1. Politics, Politics, Politics<\/h3>\n<p>Politics could well be the most closely scrutinized trend by the space sector in 2025, as the industry watches Donald Trump return to the White House for a second term in January.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6b6abb8576a;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_6a6b6abb8576a = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb8576b').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb8576b'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe first Trump administration was arguably the most consequential presidential term for the space industry since John F. Kennedy,\u201d says  Chris Quilty, co-CEO and president of space analysis firm Quilty Space. He cited notable accomplishments that included the establishment of the Space Force, the revival of the National Space Council and the Artemis Accords.<\/p>\n<p>The Biden administration continued these initiatives, while also helping secure United Nations support to ban anti-satellite (ASAT) testing and promoting the responsible use of space internationally through the Accords.<\/p>\n<p>Quilty continues, \u201cWhile there is some consternation about Elon Musk\u2019s relationship with Trump, the industry is generally optimistic that \u2018Trump 2\u2019 will once again prove impactful to the space industry.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Laura Winter, award-winning host of the Defense &amp; Aerospace Report\u2019s The DownLink Podcast, which covers trends at the intersection of space, business and defense, raises a related issue that continues to plague administrations no matter which party is in office: Congress\u2019s inability to pass a budget on time.<\/p>\n<p>The long delays create a lag that is bad for national security as well as for space investors, who are already taking a leap of faith that their investment in space companies will pay off. Investors, military leaders, and policymakers must now factor in budget tardiness with the automatic reductions prescribed by the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act, which together result in uncertainty and risk to investment, and ultimately risk to technological readiness, Winter says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBy the time budgets are approved it\u2019s based on information that is two years old, and by then there are capability gaps that puts the U.S. further behind,\u201d Winter says. Considering the rapid advancements of near-peer rivals like China, the gaps pose serious threats to the U.S.\u2019s ability to keep pace with evolving adversarial threats.<\/p>\n<p>Another political trend concerns regulatory oversight of space policies. Audrey Schaffer, former space policy director of the White House National Security Council, who now leads strategy and policy at Slingshot Aerospace, predicts that in the second half of 2025, Congress may clarify which agencies have regulatory oversight of space activities, including mission authorization. The FCC has taken a more expansive interpretation of its oversight in recent years, especially regarding space sustainability, says Schaffer, who predicts a clarity of roles and potentially more control over space operations under the U.S. Department of Commerce.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think there\u2019s going to be a lot of energy [by the new Congress] to get that right and that could have a significant impact on the industry,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Tempo of LEO Launches<\/h3>\n<p>By the end of this decade, the number of active satellites could reach as many as 50,000, most in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6b6abb85afa;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_6a6b6abb85afa = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb85afb').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb85afb'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Among the planned low-orbiting launches next year: the first production satellites for Amazon\u2019s Project Kuiper, BAE Systems\u2019 Azalea multi-satellite cluster and AST SpaceMobile\u2019s Block 2 BlueBird satellites. These deployments come as SpaceX continues to add to more than 6,500 Starlink satellites in orbit and China\u2019s Thousands Sails Constellation, which plans to launch 648 satellites by the end of 2025.<\/p>\n<p>On the defense front, the Space Development Agency is funding $4.3 billion in its FY \u201925 budget for Tranches 2 and 3 of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a network of satellites in LEO developed for advanced missile detection and tracking.<\/p>\n<p>Rocket Lab Founder and CEO Peter Beck says that on both sides of the equation \u2014 launch and satellite \u2014 the program is accelerating. \u201cThere\u2019s a number of big awards anticipated for 2025. Seeing the [PWSA] program gain more momentum is important for national security.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rocket Lab is the prime contractor to develop 18 satellites for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer Beta variant.<\/p>\n<p>Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of the U.S. Space Command, observes that as launches become more frequent, it leads to both proliferated constellations, and a more resilient space sector for national security.<\/p>\n<p>He cites the successful test launch of SpaceX\u2019s Starship, the planned certification of ULA\u2019s Vulcan for National Security missions, and the expected launch of Blue Origin\u2019s New Glenn in the near future, as launches that will drive down the cost of getting mass to orbit.<\/p>\n<p>Proliferated LEO \u201caffords us opportunities to continue to make our National Security satellite constellations more resilient and easier to replenish,\u201d Gen. Whiting says.<\/p>\n<p>Quilty notes that the western space industry has become uncomfortably dependent on SpaceX for heavy launch services, but new launch vehicles from ULA, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and Arianespace \u201caim to ramp up their launch cadence in 2025 to meet burgeoning industry demand.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And the industry is depending on it. \u201cIf these rockets are unable to meet their planned launch cadence, numerous satellite operators will see their growth plans delayed,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6b6abb85d53;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_6a6b6abb85d53 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb85d54').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb85d54'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>While consolidation has been a major theme in the satcom market in recent years, the launch market could see consolidation as well. Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which jointly own United Launch Alliance, were reportedly in talks this year to sell the launcher.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019ll continue to see the consolidation of launch. It will be interesting to see what happens to ULA,\u201d Beck said. \u201cFor us, it\u2019s a big year because we\u2019re bringing Neutron [the company\u2019s partially reusable two-stage launch vehicle] to market. For the first time there will be something in medium launch in LEO besides a Falcon 9.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Beck also says that there will be enough small launch vehicles deployed next year to overcome the launch vehicle shortage felt by the industry over the last few years. Some of the causes include the deployment of megaconstellations in the face of launch startup failures, new vehicle delays, Europe\u2019s launcher crises and Russia\u2019s withdrawal from the commercial market launch after its invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<h3>3. The Disruptive Impact of Starship<\/h3>\n<p>SpaceX marched forward with progress on Starship flight tests in 2024, completing four flight tests for the 400-foot-tall vehicle. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could soon approve Starship for up to 25 launches in 2025 and beyond.  <\/p>\n<p>Several thought leaders agree that Starship will disrupt the industry with lower costs and increased capacity both for up mass and down mass.   <\/p>\n<p>\u201cStarship will be an important disruptor for the sector in terms of the capacity that it can offer, both in up mass and down mass,\u201d says Nikolai Khlystov, thematic lead for Future of Space Technologies at the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution of the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland.<\/p>\n<p>How SpaceX will use this vehicle beyond completing its Starlink constellations \u201cwill be an interesting dynamic to monitor in 2025 and beyond,\u201d as well as how quickly they begin offering this service and at what cost, predicts Khlystov.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSpaceX has even called Starship its own commercial space station, so longer term there could be further disruption in what it can do,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<h3>4.  Direct-to-Device Momentum<\/h3>\n<p>Connecting satellites directly to standard smartphones, once a pipe dream, is now becoming reality, as several thought leaders expressed excitement for the Direct-to-Device (D2D) market gaining market traction in the coming year.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6b6abb86326;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_6a6b6abb86326 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb86327').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb86327'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cD2D has become the next great holy grail for the industry, offering satellite operators the potential to target billions of mobile terrestrial devices for the first time,\u201d notes Quilty.<\/p>\n<p>Tarun Gupta, co-founder and chief product officer of Skylo Technologies, the company with commercial D2D partnerships in place with Verizon and Google, predicts that in 2025, devices that can work in both satellite and cellular modes will become more ubiquitous \u2013 whether as IoT sensors, dongles, or smartphones.<\/p>\n<p>According to Gupta, use cases will be defined and third-party apps will begin to recognize they can offer connectivity where cellular doesn\u2019t exist. \u201cPeople are no longer concerned about \u2018Does my device connect?\u2019 Now, it\u2019s about: What are the use cases? How can I use it? How much does it cost?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Gupta notes that the satellite and cellular industries have historically been very separate in terms of hardware, connectivity protocols and modulation schemes. He and his co-founders have spent years creating an ecosystem to democratize connectivity, using the protocols set by the cellular industry and bringing that to the satellite forefront, while taking advantage of the rapid drop in silicon and computer costs and the rapid rise of cloud computing.  <\/p>\n<h3>5. Lunar Missions Kick into High Gear<\/h3>\n<p>Moon missions will continue to ramp up in 2025. Last February, Intuitive Machines (IM)\u2019s Odysseus became the first commercial spacecraft to land on the Moon, which marked the first time an American spacecraft had completed a lunar landing since 1972. 2024 also marked a major milestone for China, when it brought back lunar samples from the far side of the Moon.  <\/p>\n<p>This January NASA\u2019s Lunar Trailblazer is set to rocket to the Moon\u2019s south pole in search of so-called \u201cwater ice,\u201d solid water in the form of hexagonal crystalline structure that exist in areas of the lunar surface never exposed to sunlight such as the bottom of deep craters. NASA\u2019s Artemis mission needs water ice to make oxygen and hydrogen, critical for supporting life and producing rocket fuel. IM-2 is expected to launch at the same time as Trailblazer, carrying a drone that uses propulsion to measure the lunar surface for hydrogen, a key indicator that water is present.<\/p>\n<p>Also in January, Firefly Aerospace is expected to launch its first Blue Ghost mission to the Moon carrying 10 scientific experiments for NASA to the Mare Crisium, a basin on the Moon\u2019s near side.<\/p>\n<p>In September, NASA plans to launch Artemis 2, a 10-day crewed flyby mission around the Moon. In addition, Blue Origin plans to launch their MK1 Lunar Lander pathfinder mission and the European Space Agency (ESA) is set to begin orbital test flight of Space Rider, its uncrewed spaceplane. 2025 could also be the year the first commercial space station is set to launch. <\/p>\n<p>Mowry says NASA\u2019s efforts have created an ecosystem of communication companies that are looking at how to communicate on the lunar surface and make the most of the resources available there.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6b6abb866e6;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_6a6b6abb866e6 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb866e7').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb866e7'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s really an interesting time because you\u2019ve got our partners also engaged, with 48 countries signed up for the Artemis Accords [as of November]. There\u2019s a new race to go back to the Moon \u2013 you\u2019ve got cooperation and competition to see who\u2019s going to get to the Moon and that\u2019s an exciting time for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>6.  AI for Autonomous Operations in Space<\/h3>\n<p>Space organizations will increasingly leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to process the sheer volume of data being collected about space or from space. In 2025, the industry will see the use of AI for autonomous operations as well as in edge-compute applications, being able to compute in space and only send relevant insights down to the ground. Schaffer sees autonomous operations as the next big AI application for the space sector.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs the space environment gets more crowded and you\u2019re trying to make real-time decisions about operations, you may want to leverage AI tools to help make those decisions,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>Space maneuver and on-orbit logistics advances are a big focus in the Department of Defense, with the industry looking at the emergence of more maneuverable spacecraft that can perform on-orbit logistics, aided by more powerful rockets.<\/p>\n<p>Gen. Whiting notes, \u201cAs we continue to see higher-performing rockets enter the operational fleet, we also see the opportunity for advancements in sustained space maneuver and on-orbit logistics to enable dynamic space operations given the extra fuel and performance margin these rockets have. This gets to the joint warfighting functions of sustainment, movement, and maneuver needed to enable the operations of our satellites, just like we do any other domain,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<p>The goal, says Whiting, is \u201cto get to a place where we can maneuver in space knowing we can refuel if needed, opening up new tactics, techniques and procedures and extending operations until the mission is complete.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While Starlink spacecraft use a version of autonomous systems for collision avoidance, there are indications that space operators are looking at how they can use this technology to make smarter, more efficient decisions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAI for space is of great interest due to its ability to enhance spacecraft autonomy, enabling faster decision-making and more efficient mission operations without constant human intervention,\u201d says Simone D\u2019Amico, founding director of the Space Rendezvous Lab (SLAB) as well as founding co-director of the Center of AEroSpace Autonomy Research (CAESAR) at Stanford University.<\/p>\n<p>He notes that AI also improves space domain awareness, helping monitor and manage the growing complexity of space traffic and debris.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6b6abb86abf;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_6a6b6abb86abf = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb86ac0').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb86ac0'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cBy advancing remote sensing and Earth\u2019s digital twinning, AI can transform environmental monitoring, disaster response, and resource management on Earth, offering new insights and more precise models for addressing global challenges,\u201d he explains. <\/p>\n<h3>7. China\u2019s Growing Influence<\/h3>\n<p>China\u2019s ambitions to be a dominant power in space will accelerate in 2025. The world\u2019s most populous country already has a space station and in 2024, returned samples from the lunar surface.<\/p>\n<p>The competition between the U.S. and China for space supremacy will result in growth in the industry globally, says Beck.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c2025 will be a big year for Beijing,\u201d Beck adds, saying that he wouldn\u2019t be surprised if China gets the first outpost on the Moon. \u201cI think we\u2019ll continue to be surprised at the complexity and scale of programs that they will execute.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Audrey Schaffer expects China will become a more visible player in the commercial space market, which could result in the country embracing being a more responsible space steward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt will be really interesting to see if China has a shift in mindset in terms of space sustainability once it becomes one of the largest contributors of objects in space and has these economic interests at play,\u201d Schaffer says.<\/p>\n<h3>8.  Nations Want a Seat at the Table<\/h3>\n<p>Khlystov sees more and more countries engaging on the space front in 2025. To date, more than 100 countries have signed the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and over 80 nations have space programs, including most recently, South Korea, which launched its own space agency, the Korea Aerospace Administration, in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCountries are signaling on the international stage that they don\u2019t want to be left behind; that they want to be part of the international dialogue and indeed, be included in formal discussions,\u201d says Khlystov. <\/p>\n<p>He notes that the World Economic Forum\u2019s space efforts include regional focus areas in India and Japan. The Forum also has launched a new initiative to help support younger and emerging spacefaring countries.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6b6abb86e2a;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_6a6b6abb86e2a = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb86e2b').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb86e2b'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<h3>9.  Leading with Lasercom<\/h3>\n<p>Several experts see 2025 as a big year for the rise of laser communications for greater resilience and broadband speed in space. Laser has advantages on multiple fronts, both with defense and commercial use cases, and in space and on the ground.<\/p>\n<p>Mowry with AIAA notes that as commercial space stations are built in LEO, they will be fueled not only by traditional satellite operators, but also from LEO constellations that will increasingly have laser links.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat\u2019s really exciting is some of these constellations will be able to provide both broadband and lasercom links to these space stations in Low-Earth Orbit,\u201d says Mowry. \u201cIt really changes how you think about the science and other things on board these stations or how you design a space station that doesn\u2019t need compute power and the onboard capability because you\u2019ve got these amazingly fast, high-speed inks that you can get up and down really fast.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lasercom isn\u2019t limited to in-space communications; it also has utility on the ground by giving satellite operators a competitive edge over terrestrial providers through terrestrial service backhaul.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, the defense requirements for more resilient comms also depend on laser capabilities. It\u2019s key for the U.S. DoD\u2019s vision of Joint All-Domain Command and Control. Unlike traditional radio frequencies, lasers can transfer more data faster, using less power. Its shorter wavelengths enhance speed and signal security.<\/p>\n<p>In September, the Space Development Agency (SDA) demonstrated laser communications between two of its satellites for the first time, laying the groundwork for the \u201cmesh network\u201d that will link hundreds of its satellites in LEO.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re seeing more and more companies looking at that capability. It could help satellite operators to actually not rely on terrestrial firms,\u201d says Khlystov.   <\/p>\n<p>The benefit of laser communications as backhaul also extends to undersea cables, which are becoming easier to undermine, he explains, noting that \u201cin-space communication backhaul becomes a critical capability for resilience.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>10. The Rise of VLEO<\/h3>\n<p>In reaction to an increasingly crowded LEO environment, the space industry will see the maturation of a new space regime: Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), which commonly operates at an altitude of 250 to 350 kilometers.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6b6abb871d0;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_6a6b6abb871d0 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb871d1').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b6abb871d1'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Known as a \u201cself-cleaning orbit,\u201d VLEO could help alleviate the space debris problem since space junk in VLEO gets pulled into the atmosphere and safely burns up in hours or days. By operating at a lower altitude, VLEO spacecraft are twice as close to the action on the ground, and therefore better able to observe it.  <\/p>\n<p>In 2025, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), working with partners, including DARPA and Redwire Space, will accelerate understanding of the VLEO environment, as well as the nuances of VLEO spacecraft operations.  <\/p>\n<p>\u201cFlying spacecraft lower has potential advantages, including near-zero space debris, as a direct result of the increased drag at lower altitudes,\u201d says Seth Lacy, senior scientist for space mobility and precision maneuver in the AFRL\u2019s Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirkland Air Force Base. \u201cThe challenge is that we don\u2019t understand this regime as well as we\u2019d like to.\u201d <strong class=\"Annotation -strong\">VS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>,<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">In This Issue<\/h2>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 404455:  \/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 loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PuJZs9WbSZeQ0v3oqDjU_VS_120124_DGTL_5-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PuJZs9WbSZeQ0v3oqDjU_VS_120124_DGTL_5-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PuJZs9WbSZeQ0v3oqDjU_VS_120124_DGTL_5-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PuJZs9WbSZeQ0v3oqDjU_VS_120124_DGTL_5-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PuJZs9WbSZeQ0v3oqDjU_VS_120124_DGTL_5.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(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\tAdel Al-Saleh on Why Combining SES and Intelsat Fuels the Operator to Scale Up<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 404461:  \/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\/gwcrAqpnRNeLKIS7jWpv_VS_120124_DGTL_3-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gwcrAqpnRNeLKIS7jWpv_VS_120124_DGTL_3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gwcrAqpnRNeLKIS7jWpv_VS_120124_DGTL_3-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gwcrAqpnRNeLKIS7jWpv_VS_120124_DGTL_3-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gwcrAqpnRNeLKIS7jWpv_VS_120124_DGTL_3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As 2024 concludes on the heels of increasing global conflicts and a contentious U.S. presidential election, the satellite and space industry is poised for an interesting 12 months as LEO, launch, and lunar ambitions advance in the push for greater space resilience. The World Economic Forum\u2019s Space Economy report predicts that the industry will grow [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":50072,"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-50071","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\/50071"}],"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=50071"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50071\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}