{"id":67594,"date":"2017-08-03T23:47:09","date_gmt":"2017-08-03T15:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/propulsion-executive-eyes-the-future-of-the-satellite-market\/"},"modified":"2017-08-03T23:47:09","modified_gmt":"2017-08-03T15:47:09","slug":"propulsion-executive-eyes-the-future-of-the-satellite-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/propulsion-executive-eyes-the-future-of-the-satellite-market\/","title":{"rendered":"Propulsion Executive Eyes the Future of the Satellite Market"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The satellite market is entering a new era of possibility. We have a better understanding of where CubeSats fit into the market. We\u2019re finding new ways to utilize the ever growing dataset produced by satellites small and large. And we\u2019re forging creative paths toward reducing the time between building a satellite and getting it into orbit.<\/p>\n<h3>The End of the CubeSat Revolution<\/h3>\n<p>The CubeSat form factor has gone a long way toward opening up access to space. Historically, satellite manufacturing and operation has been limited to a select few. CubeSats provided a more cost-effective way for anyone from a university student to a startup venture to experiment with satellites.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/sISexLoPR2qt9fOJyyhD_VS_NextSpace17_Cover-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 120px; height: auto;\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/sISexLoPR2qt9fOJyyhD_VS_NextSpace17_Cover-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/sISexLoPR2qt9fOJyyhD_VS_NextSpace17_Cover-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/sISexLoPR2qt9fOJyyhD_VS_NextSpace17_Cover-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/sISexLoPR2qt9fOJyyhD_VS_NextSpace17_Cover.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fs-5 mt-0\">Explore the NextSpace Edition 2017 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>Yet, early predictions of thousands of 3U and 6U CubeSats in space haven\u2019t panned out. SpaceWorks\u2019 latest 2017 Nano\/Microsatellite Market Forecast shows a several-year slide in 1 to 10 kg satellites launched over the past three years: nearly a 50 percent reduction from 2014 to 2016. <\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Placeholder alt text\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/marquee-test-akiaisur2rgicbmpehea\/yCmfHdyMSeKUdHKDdSoF_SydneyBeaches_WV4_crop43_8JAN2017_WM.e8611f1f.jpg\"><figcaption>DigitalGlobeSydney beaches. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>So what\u2019s causing a slide when in 2010 the industry was expecting a \u201crevolution\u201d? From my view, we\u2019ve yet to see Moore\u2019s Law squeeze enough revenue-generating payload into 3U and 6U satellites to sustainably offset the cost of launching (and to an extent manufacturing) these tiny satellites. So the world is still waiting on commercial business cases to close with the CubeSat form factor. The economics will likely look more promising if and when launch costs come way down.<\/p>\n<p>However, regardless of whether or not CubeSats carve a profitable commercial niche, I believe their bread and butter will always be in technology demonstration missions \u2014 precursor satellites designed to test and prove technology payloads for larger platforms \u2014 and university experiments that can secure launch sponsorship from various programs like NASA\u2019s CubeSat Launch Initiative.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6b1108867c0;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_6a6b1108867c0 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b1108867c1').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b1108867c1'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Earth imaging: a Sector Poised for growth, but with Fewer Players<\/h3>\n<p>Although Earth Observation (EO) companies have been around for decades now, I\u2019m hopeful we\u2019ve only seen the tip of the iceberg in terms of promising uses for Earth imaging and general remote sensing data. While I\u2019m not sure there will be one \u201ckiller app\u201d for satellite images (like search engines were for the internet), I\u2019ve seen too much promise with machine vision, Big Data and other sophisticated analytics. Odds are that with advancements in software, we\u2019ll see continued growth in the EO sector.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Placeholder alt text\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/marquee-test-akiaisur2rgicbmpehea\/enuSnezDRFu0sztVBq8S_havana-20160903-full.jpg\"><figcaption>PlanetHavana, Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>With that said, I\u2019m skeptical that this growth will translate into a sustainable ecosystem for even tens of smallsat imaging companies. On this manufacturer\/operator side of the business case, it looks like more of a winner-take-all segment where one image can serve infinite customers, and companies with satellites already in orbit will have a much easier time adding new sensors or orbits\/inclinations to serve new applications than a startup company will have trying to finance a venture from zero. My bet is there will be more consolidation and fewer new ventures being funded in our future.<\/p>\n<h3>The March Toward Daily Launch Capacity<\/h3>\n<p>In 2015, at least 20 unique launch vehicles were being developed with the goal of serving the small satellite market. Already, many of those efforts have fallen to the wayside and the fact remains that a widely recognized bottleneck in smallsat launch opportunities exists. So what is the outlook for an industry short on supply? What innovations will bridge the gap?<\/p>\n<p>Yes, launch is rocket science, but in many ways launch is a \u201cknown\u201d challenge. It\u2019s physics, engines, and burning fuel. So even the most ambitious and daring of launch companies can\u2019t rely too much on innovating on the technology side. Most of the innovation at all of these new ventures is happening within the manufacturing, supply chain and business model arenas. SpaceX can\u2019t provide cheaper launch just by building a better rocket. To really achieve drastic price reductions, they\u2019re focusing on vertical integration, reusability and a high-frequency launch cadence. <\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Placeholder alt text\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/marquee-test-akiaisur2rgicbmpehea\/GbRismfQR0pO8WKqYKtQ_r-c374224.jpg\"><figcaption>ISROISRO\u2019S PSLV-C37 launching a record-setting 104 satellites.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There\u2019s a red flag for me in most of the new smallsat launcher business plans, which is the need for launching every day for the economics to make sense although the industry doesn\u2019t yet demand daily launches. These new companies can only survive this chicken-and-egg situation on venture funding for a couple years at best, after which I expect we\u2019ll see some serious consolidation (and even liquidation) until the industry can support multiple companies launching daily.<\/p>\n<p>In the future, we\u2019ll be able to close the business case on CubeSats or some new small-scale form factor, opening the floodgates for participation in the market. Until then, the industry has some work to do in making smaller and more powerful payloads, as well as achieving daily launches to meaningfully reduce launch costs. Until that time, I think the satellite and launch industries will continue to be a growing, but intimate group. <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 260:  \/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\/2017\/01\/QKlfWQYBRmaOUbnAEEME_VS_NextSpace17_CoverStory_DGTL-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/QKlfWQYBRmaOUbnAEEME_VS_NextSpace17_CoverStory_DGTL-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/QKlfWQYBRmaOUbnAEEME_VS_NextSpace17_CoverStory_DGTL-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/QKlfWQYBRmaOUbnAEEME_VS_NextSpace17_CoverStory_DGTL-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/QKlfWQYBRmaOUbnAEEME_VS_NextSpace17_CoverStory_DGTL.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\tEuropean Startups Challenging the Status Quo<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 262:  \/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=\"188\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/iyo54rUYQLiciaNAyS8W_04_VS_NextSpace17_Ft1-300x188.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/iyo54rUYQLiciaNAyS8W_04_VS_NextSpace17_Ft1-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/iyo54rUYQLiciaNAyS8W_04_VS_NextSpace17_Ft1-800x503.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/iyo54rUYQLiciaNAyS8W_04_VS_NextSpace17_Ft1-640x402.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/iyo54rUYQLiciaNAyS8W_04_VS_NextSpace17_Ft1.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\tGetting in on the Ground Floor, Literally<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 261:  \/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=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Y61E4kL1RciOHjSs982z_05_VS_NextSPace17_Ft2-300x223.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Y61E4kL1RciOHjSs982z_05_VS_NextSPace17_Ft2-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Y61E4kL1RciOHjSs982z_05_VS_NextSPace17_Ft2-800x595.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Y61E4kL1RciOHjSs982z_05_VS_NextSPace17_Ft2-640x476.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Y61E4kL1RciOHjSs982z_05_VS_NextSPace17_Ft2.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\tWhere Do Satellite Manufacturers Fit in the NewSpace Revolution?<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 264:  \/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\/2017\/01\/2wwIFLROWXM7SMDlmtvg_EdNote_Header_Web-300x167.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/2wwIFLROWXM7SMDlmtvg_EdNote_Header_Web-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/2wwIFLROWXM7SMDlmtvg_EdNote_Header_Web-800x446.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/2wwIFLROWXM7SMDlmtvg_EdNote_Header_Web-640x357.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/2wwIFLROWXM7SMDlmtvg_EdNote_Header_Web.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\tWill the NewSpace Movement Prove More Substance than Illusion?<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The satellite market is entering a new era of possibility. We have a better understanding of where CubeSats fit into the market. We\u2019re finding new ways to utilize the ever growing dataset produced by satellites small and large. And we\u2019re forging creative paths toward reducing the time between building a satellite and getting it into [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67597,"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-67594","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\/67594"}],"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=67594"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67594\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67597"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}