SpaceQ Space news and analysis.
Novaspace, the new entity formed from the Euroconsult and SpaceTec Partners merger, has released its High Throughput Satellites (HTS) market report which details how Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) constellations are “redefining the High Throughput Satellites market landscape.”
In the report Novaspace says “that to date, approximately three quarters of the 50+ active satellite operators have invested in HTS systems. The vast majority of HTS players have satellites in GEO orbit. Despite the NGSO potential, high capital expenditure (CapEx) requirements remain a significant barrier for most players, with investments typically between $2-4 billion and exceeding $10 billion for a mega-constellation. As a result, only a select few of the ‘leading’ satellite operators are pursuing plans for full NGSO constellations, with three expected to be operational during 2024. This includes SpaceX’s Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and O3b mPOWER from SES.”
It will not come as a surprise then that SpaceX’s Starlink low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation is having a significant impact.
Noavspace states that “overall, HTS supply tripled between 2021 and 2023 to 27 Tbps, with Starlink accounting for 90% of net new supply during the period. The significant increase in supply has been accompanied with strong growth in Starlink’s customer base with the operator reporting >2.7 million customers globally in April 2024.”
“The report forecasts a remarkable nine-fold growth in HTS capacity supply from 2023-2028, with NGSO constellations driving 97% of the net increase. HTS demand doubled in 2023 to 6 Tbps, with NGSO accounting for close to 90% of growth and surpassing GEO in total demand. Consumer broadband, corporate networks and civil government are projected to remain the leading demand drivers.”
Novaspace Managing Consultant Dimitri Buchs commented, “The HTS market is undergoing unprecedented shifts driven by the rapid expansion of NGSO constellations and evolving consumer demands. Interestingly, the influx of subscribers across a variety of verticals for Starlink has led to HTS market expansion, not pure cannibalization, which is a positive indicator for the industry, as it shows that the improved economics enabled by lower HTS capacity pricing should unlock new opportunities both for GEO and NGSO in coming years, as they will allow for better services.”
Novaspace is forecasting “a quadrupling of HTS capacity revenue from 2023-2032 to $22 billion in 2032.”
A free extract of the report is available. The full report costs starts at €6,000 Euros.
