Welcome to our comprehensive overview of the UK space manufacturing sector in 2022.
Here’s a quick overview of what we’ll be covering.
The global satellite manufacturing market is segmented into application, satellite type, and size. By application, the satellite manufacturing market is classified into communication, Earth observation, navigation, and space observation.
On the basis of satellite type, it is divided into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO).
Some of the key players operating in the global satellite manufacturing market include Airbus S.E, Arianespace, Geooptics, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Maxar, Northrop Grumman Corporation, SpaceX, Thales Group, The Boeing Company, and Viasat.
UK Space Manufacturing Overview
In the UK alone, an estimated 413 organizations are involved in space manufacturing. The great majority of these companies are concentrated in the South East of England and specialise in the design and manufacture of:
- Launch vehicles and subsystems
- Satellites/payloads/spacecraft and subsystems
- Scientific instruments
- Ground segment systems and equipment
The UK excels in the manufacture of spacecraft and highly complex payloads, with particular strength in small satellites.
An estimated 113 UK-based space organizations focus on the manufacture of satellites. Some of the key players include:
AIRBUS Defence & Space Limited, Axon Cable, Deimos Space UK Ltd, GMV Innovating Solutions Ltd, GTD Information System UK, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin UK, MBDA UK, MDA Space and Robotics Limited, QinetiQ, Raytheon Systems Limited, Roke, Smiths Interconnect, Spire Global UK Limited, Spirit AeroSystems, Surface Technology International Limited, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), Tekever Ltd, Teledyne e2v, Terma, Thales Alenia Space, TWI Limited.
In pre-pandemic times, the UK space industry consistently outperformed the wider economy in terms of productivity.
In 2018/19, the space industry contributed an impressive £6.6 billion of Gross Value-Added (GVA) to UK economic output (up from £6.0 billion in 2016/17), while new space companies attracted investments of £4.33bn over 240 deals, with a total of 435 individual investment contributions in at least 110 space companies.
In the same time period, Space Manufacturing also experienced a healthy degree of growth (+2%, +£73m), securing an overall income of over £2bn, contributing to nearly £1.1bn of GVA (second only to Space Applications, the biggest sector of the space economy), and employing 8,924 professionals throughout the UK
But then Covid-19 came along, disrupting the world’s space economy and interrupting its long-lasting pattern of growth.
Covid Impact on UK Space Manufacturing
The impact of Covid-19 on Space Manufacturing is difficult to quantify but the crisis has incontrovertibly exposed the sector’s vulnerability to economic shocks.
During the pandemic, nationwide lockdowns forced space manufacturing facilities and suppliers to partially or fully shut down operations, with manufacturers throughout the globe experiencing major logistical challenges, including severe disruptions in raw material supply chains.
As a consequence, space manufacturers had no other choice but to limit expansion and R&D programmes to make up for declining sales and operating performance.
Two years after the onset of the pandemic, small and medium-sized space companies are still facing financial difficulties that are threatening their survival, while larger players are also struggling to deal with the long-term consequences of production and delivery delays.
But not all is lost.
UK Space Manufacturing Growth
In the next decade the global satellite manufacturing market is forecasted to grow significantly .
This is due to an expected rise in the number of satellite launches, which will be driven by technological innovations and decreasing launch costs.
Manufacturing a satellite is a costly operation, and understandably so.
Satellites must be able to withstand space radiation, as well as the pressure of travelling at a speed of 700 kilometres per hour and potential impacts from space debris and small meteorites.
However, new technologies such as CubeSats and highly innovative designs are providing manufacturers with the opportunity to lower satellite size while increasing functionality.
Recent years have seen a plethora of new manufacturers disrupt the market with highly competitive products, offering small and relatively affordable devices with the same capabilities as those offered by large-sized satellites.
A fierce rivalry is now unfolding between these new players and well-established producers of large satellites, which have had no choice but to revise old manufacturing processes.
Innovations in manufacturing methods, such as custom-built GEO communication satellites and on-orbit software upgrades, remains a key driver for future market growth.
In fact, emerging technologies and applications will generate whole new markets in the coming decades.
For instance, in-orbit servicing is bound to maximise satellite resilience, effectiveness, and extend the economic life of these devices.
On top of that, active debris removal will be increasingly required to keep satellite orbits safe.
And then there’s in-space manufacturing.
In-Space Manufacturing
Enabled by advances in robotics and 3D printing, the manufacturing and repair of satellites in orbit will pave the way for highly profitable commercial activities, such as in-space fuel production and material extraction, as well as the production of manufactured goods in microgravity and vacuum LEO environments.
But the biggest driver leading market growth remains Space Operations, the largest segment of the space economy.
Ever since NATO declared space an operational domain, governments throughout the world have rushed to establish national Space Commands, define new space mission objectives and issue contracts with private partners to deliver on them.
Presently, the UK already has over 90 registered objects in space and remains a world leader in small satellite technology applications and earth observation.
However, the country ranks 11th in national space funding, lagging behind the likes of Korea, Germany, China and Italy.
To increase the UK’s share in the global space economy, last September the Ministry of Defence presented the National Space Strategy, which will see the Government committed to investing £1.4bn in new space activity over the next decade.
For a detailed guide to all upcoming satellite launches in the UK, see our recent article Space Operations in the UK in 2002 and Beyond.
Considering that the importance of satellites to the wider economy shows no signs of slowing down, there is a need for satellite manufacturing to augment capabilities and support the rising number of space expedition missions.
Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, there is a clear opportunity for the satellite manufacturing business to flourish in the coming years.
Presently, industry experts expect that the global satellite manufacturing market, which was valued at $15,5bn in 2020 (£11.9bn), is going to reach $25.9bn by 2030 (£19.9bn), growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 17.26%.
Not bad!
About JP Aero
We supply a wide range of space industry fasteners. Whether standard, metric or custom design we are leading UK experts.
We are AS9120 REV A & ISO9001:2008 approved and SC21 compliant.
Over the years we have built up a broad depth of knowledge around all types of fasteners in commercial aviation, heavy industry, oil & gas exploration, defence and now the space industry.
Our long-standing commitment to quality and service means that we work with some of the biggest organisations within the space industry, and we are available to share that expertise in our field with you.
To find out more about procuring small satellite fasters contact our team today and we will be happy to help in any way we can.
Image Credit: NASA