Small Satellite Market Intelligence Report
The Small Satellite Market Intelligence update is a quarterly report that follows the fast growing interest in small satellites with the intention to make data on the sector free and accessible.
Small Satellites provide a complementary alternative to larger satellites by providing cheaper, more frequent and up-to-date data, opening new markets for satellite applications. The past 5 years have seen the emergence of this market and the UK is in a good position to capitalise.
As part of its remit to support the UK space sector, the Catapult provides guidance and facilitates industry growth in this new space era. The Small Satellite Market Intelligence report will share information the Catapult teams aggregate through day-to-day work. Quarterly rather than yearly reports are issued in order to improve the visibility of the fast-growing sector of small satellites. These reports aim to inform but also consolidate information through your feedback and will be complemented with ad-hoc reports on specific topics.
What are Small Satellites?
Small satellites are defined here as satellites with a wet mass (including propellant) below or equal to 500 kg with the associated terminology as per table. They are mostly used in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) below 2,000 km altitude, a majority currently in Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO), where the satellite observes any area at the same local time.
Register for the Reports
Please register to download our quarterly Small Satellite Market Intelligence report. Once you have submitted your details, you will be redirected to the reports.
The information in this form will be kept for the purpose of distributing future reports directly to you. If you would not like to receive future reports at any time, please let us know by emailing us at marketing@sa.catapult.org.uk.
Contributing Authors
A team with technical and commercial backgrounds consolidate their understanding and news of the small satellite world. The team currently comprises:
- Henry Shepherd, Space Technology Business Analyst Intern
- Graeme Taylor, Mission Analyst
- Nikolaos Tsitsilonis, Mission Analyst
Previous Contributors
- Florian Deconinck, Small Satellite Programme Manager
- Ewan Wright, Space Technology Business Analyst Intern
- Will Pearce, Business Analyst
- Nick Daggit, Space Technology Business Analyst Intern
Please contact the team at MarketIntelligence@sa.catapult.org.uk if you have comments or topics of interest you would find of value to be included in future editions.
External Contributions
We are inviting others to propose contributions to the second part of the report – the feature section. This section focuses on one topic per report which has previously included space debris, propulsion systems, and small satellite constellations.
We are looking for:
- An interesting topic or opinion in the field of small satellites (e.g. applications, launchers, satellites, regulation)
- Approximately 2000-3000 words
We will select topics and authors based on relevance to small satellites and timeliness.
How to submit your contributions:
Send an brief email to MarketIntelligence@sa.catapult.org.uk, that includes:
- A description of the topic and draft structure and scope (2-3 lines)
- Why you believe this topic is relevant
We will be in touch to collaborate.
Usage
You may reuse reasonable portions of this document provided that such reproductions are properly attributed to us with: ‘Copyright © Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd 2020’
Whilst we strive to ensure that the information is correct and up to date, it has been provided for general information only and as such we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness.
Useful websites or reports:
Databases
- Cubesat Database, Swarwout University of Saint Louis – regularly updated
- Gunter’s Space Page, regularly updated
- Index on NewSpace and Space 4.0 – regularly updated
- Jonathan Space page, regularly updated
- NewSpace Hub
Reports
