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:

• Ewan Wright, Space Technology Business Analyst Intern
• Florian Deconinck, Small Satellite Programme Manager
• Will Pearce, Business Analyst
• Graeme Taylor, Mission Analyst
• Nikolaos Tsitsilonis, Mission Analyst

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.

NEW FEATURE: External Contributions

From the Q3 2018 report onward 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.

What we are looking for:

• An interesting topic or opinion in the field of small satellites (e.g. applications, launchers, satellites, regulation)
• A maximum of 10 pages contribution

We will select topics and authors based on relevance to small satellites and timeliness.

How can you submit your contribution for the Q3 2018 report:

Send an brief email to MarketIntelligence@sa.catapult.org.uk by 5pm, Friday 14 September 2018, that includes:

• A description of the topic and draft structure and scope (2-3 lines)
• Why you believe this topic is relevant

In sending this email, you agree that in the case where you are selected, you will commit to delivering your contribution by no later than Friday 12 October.

We will come back to you by Friday 28 September to let you know if you have been selected for the Q3 2018 report. We are open to include contributions from multiple authors as long as they are coordinated.

If you are not selected, we will keep you in mind for the next report.

Usage

You may reuse reasonable portions of this document provided that such reproductions are properly attributed to us with: ‘Copyright © Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd 2018’

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

• Nano/Microsatellite Market Forecast, 8^th Edition – Spacework – Apr. 2018
• State of the Art of Small Spacecraft Technology – NASA – website
• State of the Satellite Industry Report –  2018
• Space Investment Quarterly – 2018, updated quarterly