The space industry is utilizing emerging technologies, including 5G, advanced satellite systems, 3D printing, big data, and quantum computing, to upgrade and scale operations in space. Many services, such as weather forecasting, remote sensing, global positioning system (GPS) navigation, satellite television, and long-distance communication, rely on space infrastructure. Moreover, new space industry trends, like smart propulsion, space robotics, and space traffic management are also gaining traction. Together with increasing private investment in the industry, startups develop technologies to ease movement, operations, and communications between Earth and space.
This article was published in February 2021 and updated in August 2023.
Innovation Map outlines the Top 10 SpaceTech Trends & 20 Promising Startups
For this in-depth research on the Top SpaceTech Trends & Startups, we analyzed a sample of 2162 global startups & scaleups. This data-driven research provides innovation intelligence that helps you improve strategic decision-making by giving you an overview of emerging technologies in the space technology industry. In the SpaceTech Innovation Map, you get a comprehensive overview of the innovation trends & startups that impact your company.
10 New Space Technology Trends & Innovations in 2024
- Small Satellites
- Advanced Space Manufacturing
- Advanced Communications
- Space Traffic Management
- Smart Propulsion
- Space Activity Management
- Space Missions
- Space Mining
- Low-Earth Orbit Satellites
- Space Data
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These insights are derived by working with our Big Data & Artificial Intelligence-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 3 790 000+ startups & scaleups globally. As the world’s largest resource for data on emerging companies, the SaaS platform enables you to identify relevant technologies and industry trends quickly & exhaustively.
Tree Map reveals the Impact of the Top 10 Space Industry Trends in 2024
Based on the SpaceTech Innovation Map, the Tree Map below illustrates the impact of the Top 10 SpaceTech Trends. Startups & scaleups build small satellites like CubeSats and NanoSats to reduce launch costs. Companies also develop reusable launch vehicles to further reduce the cost of launching rockets into space. Fast and secure communications using satellites incorporate advancements in hardware like antennae, transmitters, and receivers.
With an expected growth in space traffic, startups are creating feasible solutions for space travel and traffic management, as well as junk and debris removal. Finally, low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, along with big data & analytics, play a crucial role in the success of future space exploration and missions.
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Global Startup Heat Map covers 2162 SpaceTech Startups & Scaleups
The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the global distribution of the 2162 exemplary startups & scaleups that we analyzed for this research. Created through the StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, the Heat Map reveals high startup activity in the US, followed by Western Europe and India. Below, you get to meet 20 out of these 2162 promising startups & scaleups as well as the solutions they develop. These SpaceTech startups are hand-picked based on criteria such as founding year, location, funding raised, & more. Depending on your specific needs, your top picks might look entirely different.
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Interested to explore all 2100+ SpaceTech startups & scaleups?
Top 10 New Space Technologies in 2024
1. Small Satellites
Small satellites are increasingly becoming common in recent years, making them the top trend among SpaceTech trends in 2024. Miniaturized satellites allow for cheaper designs and advancements in industrial technologies enable their mass production. Startups develop small satellites that allow space companies to conduct missions that large satellites typically struggle with. Moreover, small satellites are well-suited for use in proprietary wireless communications networks and for scientific observation, data gathering, and monitoring of the Earth using GPS.
Space Inventor utilizes Small Satellite Modules
Danish startup Space Inventor intends to break the pico-satellite tradition of stacking circuit boards in a satellite frame and instead re-institute the use of modules. The startup compiles sub-systems with thermal stability, shielding, and mechanical ruggedness into modules to build small satellites like CubeSats. This saves time for engineers who build and assemble satellites.
EnduroSat develops NanoSats for Secure Communications
Bulgarian startup EnduroSat provides NanoSats and space services to businesses, exploration companies, and science teams. The startup’s NanoSats achieve robust data handling of up to 10 payloads. The satellites incorporate an embedded operational modes framework that considerably boosts efficiency. The small satellites enable secure communications for telemetry and telecommands using high-speed X- and K-band frequencies.
2. Advanced Space Manufacturing
Space manufacturing adopts innovative technologies to improve space products and services. With the advent of advanced robotics, 3D printing, and light-based manufacturing, innovations in the space industry are also progressing.
Large space structures, reusable launch vehicles, space shuttles, and satellite sensors have become a reality, owing to advancements in manufacturing processes. Automation is also vital for the space industry for long-term space exploration and mission, due to which startups provide such solutions tailored for the industry.
Momentus manufactures Reusable Rockets for Public Transportation
US-based startup Momentus makes transportation to space affordable through its reusable rockets. After the final drop-off, the reusable vehicles de-orbit to another orbit. The reusable vehicle is equipped with robotic arms and is capable of performing proximity maneuvers, docking, and refueling, and is well-suited for an entire range of in-orbit services.
Equatorial Space Systems develops Commercial Sub-Orbital Rockets
Singaporean startup Equatorial Space Systems develops a commercial sub-orbital rocket capable of delivering small payloads above the Karman line, the boundary between space and atmosphere. The startup’s solution, Dorado, comes in two variants – a single-stage vehicle capable of reaching an apogee of 105 km and a two-stage version designed to exceed a target altitude of 250 km. The two rockets provide 3 and 6 minutes of weightlessness, respectively.
3. Novel Space Communication Systems
At its simplest, space communications rely on two things – a transmitter and a receiver. A transmitter encodes a message onto electromagnetic waves. These waves then flow through space toward the receiver. However, recent developments in space communication go beyond transmitters and receivers to offer advanced communication in space through high-capacity antennae, ground stations, and LEO satellites.
Thorium Space Technology develops Ultra-Flat Interference-Free Antenna
Polish startup Thorium Space Technology develops an ultra-flat, scalable active-matrix antenna. The antenna uses a band that is relatively free from interference from the earth or space. As a result, it improves throughput and system capacity when compared to the existing systems. Besides, the antenna uses high radio frequencies and incorporates the functionalities of electronic control and beam modeling.
Arctic Space Technologies decentralizes Processing Power for Ground Stations
Swedish startup Arctic Space Technologies brings computational power next to the software-driven ground station. Instead of relaying satellite data directly to the cloud and running into data bottlenecks, the startup decentralizes processing power next to the station. This enables true real-time processing without latency while reducing bandwidth and storage requirements on the network.
4. Space Traffic Management
Of all the man-made LEO satellites, a vast majority of them are now space junk. This includes rocket thrusters, derelict satellites, and most of all, tiny fragments of debris from collisions and explosions. All of this debris threatens the future of space exploration and travel. To tackle this situation, startups develop feasible solutions for debris retrieval and space traffic management.
ClearSpace removes Satellite Relics
ClearSpace is a spin-off from the Swiss EPFL Space Center that develops technologies to remove unresponsive or derelict satellites from space. The startup’s small satellite solution finds, captures, and removes man-made space debris repeatedly. The startup plans to remove the first pieces of debris from space by 2025.
OrbitGuardians develops Low-Cost Active Debris Removal Technology
US-based startup OrbitGuardians is a commercial provider of active debris removal services. The startup aims to protect space workers, tourists, and operating satellites by actively removing dangerous space debris smaller than twenty centimeters. By utilizing computer vision, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT), the startup enables low-cost debris removal by acquiring all the available debris parameters like location, size, and the number of debris chunks.
5. Smart Propulsion
In-space propulsion is an important subsystem for satellite constellations. Given the costs and environmental impact that come with space missions, companies seek ways to ensure the sustainability of these missions. Hence, global startups and scaleups develop several solutions ranging from electric, green, and water-based propulsion to iodine-based propulsion systems to enable the next generation of clean rockets in space.
ThrustMe develops an Electric Propulsion System
French startup ThrustMe offers an electric space propulsion system that uses iodine as a propellant. The startup’s solution is a low-cost propulsion alternative for bigger satellites. ThrustMe’s technology finds applications in newer satellites, as well as in products designed to solve emerging challenges associated with the rise of satellite constellations.
Dawn Aerospace develops a Non-Toxic Propulsion System
Based in New Zealand and the Netherlands, Dawn Aerospace builds same-day reusable launch vehicles and high-performance, non-toxic propulsion systems for satellites of all sizes. The startup’s SmallSat Propulsion Thruster replaces poisonous hydrazine with nitrous oxide and propene. For CubeSats, it significantly improves performance than electric-based propulsion systems with the same propellants.
6. Space Activity Management
Activity management is an emerging SpaceTech trend that concerns the management of movement and activity in space. Space activities include tourism, industrial missions, satellite servicing, food production, waste disposal, and space station improvement. Such trends create more room for the scientific community, for example, by enabling the study of how living things behave in space.
Leviathan Space Industries builds a Space Station Network
US-based startup Leviathan Space Industries is developing a space station network. The network consists of 14 space stations and uses artificial gravity to advance space travel, trade, and tourism. Besides, the startup leverages a spaceport on the equatorial line to maximize launch vehicle fuel savings and payload maximization. Its infrastructure thus enables a sustainable ecosystem for safe and democratic space exploration.
Obruta Space advances In-Orbit Satellite Servicing
Canadian startup Obruta Space Solutions develops a device to enable new satellites to be serviced in orbit. The startup’s solution, Puck, extends the operational lives of satellites with refueling services and upgrades. The device also allows satellites to extend their lifespans while aiding in their eventual removal and enable humans to sustainably occupy orbital environments.
7. Space Missions
Space exploration addresses the fundamental questions about our universe and the history of our solar system. By addressing the challenges related to space exploration, humans find opportunities in advancing mining, material science, and life science research. Space missions also widen the scientific and technological advancements while inspiring the future generation of students, teachers, and researchers worldwide.
Lunar Station develops Technology to Visualize the Lunar Environment
US-based startup Lunar Station Corporation develops a technology platform to convert lunar sensory datasets into 3D visualizations of environmental conditions on the moon. The startup’s solutions provide rapid and mission-specific intelligence to improve mission planning. Its products MoonHacker and Moon Navigational Services provide clients with cutting-edge lunar environmental intelligence.
Helios develops In-Situ Resource Utilization Technology for Lunar & Martian Missions
Israeli startup Helios provides in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technology to realize the vision of setting permanent lunar and martian bases. The startup’s Molten Regolith Electrolysis Reactor separates the abundant oxides found on Martian and Lunar surfaces. The startup’s reactor then converts into oxygen and various metals such as iron, aluminum, and titanium. The startup also works on storage technology to enable the optimal utilization of produced oxygen.
8. Space Mining
The mining of celestial bodies is shifting from science-fiction (Sci-Fi) to reality. Asteroid mining by private individuals and companies through advancements in space cameras and satellites aid in the precise location of asteroids. Once located, these celestial bodies can be used to extract minerals such as platinum, gold, iron, or even water. The economic incentive for space mining is evident and analysts predict that it could potentially translate to a billion-dollar industry.
Asteroid Mining Corporation develops Satellites for Asteroid Mining
UK-based startup Asteroid Mining Corporation develops a satellite to prospect near-earth asteroids (NEAs) as mining candidates. The startup provides a series of different spacecraft for prospecting, exploration, and extraction, with each craft performing a particular mission. Its proprietary dataset generated from its Asteroid Prospecting Satellite One (APS1) mission guides explorers to specific mining candidates.
HEO Robotics utilizes Space-based Cameras for Asteroid Mining
Australian startup High Earth Orbit Robotics combines intelligent control with space-based cameras to acquire high-quality imagery of satellites, space debris, and resource-rich asteroids. This imagery is then useful for locating and observing asteroids for mining. The startup builds small satellites that operate in the high-earth orbit (HEO) to observe celestial bodies.
9. Low-Earth Orbit Satellites
A low-earth orbit is relatively close to Earth’s surface and is normally at an altitude of less than 1000 km but could be as low as 160 km above Earth. Also, LEO satellites do not always follow a particular path around Earth. This means that there are more routes for satellites in the LEO. This makes it a feasible target for space companies. To this end, startups develop relevant solutions and techniques to deal with LEO-related challenges, including communication systems and data management.
SpaceAble enables Decentralized LEO Satellite Inspection
French startup SpaceAble provides an on-demand in-situ asset inspection solution for LEO satellites. It uses a decentralized approach to gather outer-space awareness and provides the space community with critical data and operational safety. The startup is currently in the process of creating a safe environment free of redundancy and other malfunctions.
WARPSPACE develops an Optical Telecommunication Service for LEO Satellites
Japanese startup WARPSPACE offers LEO optical telecommunication services since 2023 with its optical data relay network in the medium-earth orbit (MEO) for satellite operators. This network will develop communication with the LEO satellites using an optical link. Users only have to equip a small optical transceiver that the startup provides. Further, by using their services, LEO missions will be able to achieve one Gbps connection.
10. Space Data
LEO satellites and multi-satellite constellations are increasingly in use for communication, spying, earth monitoring, and other imaging applications. With large volumes of data from these satellites, there is a need to process, treat, analyze, and manage the information. Startups tap into SpaceTech data using AI, blockchain, and big data to offer secure data solutions for the space industry.
Kleos provides Bespoke Space Data
Luxembourg-based startup Kleos delivers its data products via application programming interfaces (APIs) to suit customers’ requirements. The Guardian RF presents unprocessed data from the startup’s satellites, suited for companies with their own geo-location analysis or signal intelligence capabilities. The Guardian LOCATE data delivers geo-located RF activity data. Lastly, Guardian UDT is a user-defined data set that allows the selection of specific areas of interest, such as ground station and level of security.
LeoLabs offers Satellite Tracking & Space Intelligence
US-based startup LeoLabs provides data services for precision tracking and monitoring of satellites using its orbital products and phased-array radars. The startup also provides data for quick location and identification of new payloads at LEO through ephemerides. Its data services provide space intelligence and awareness by tracking satellites and space debris in real-time.
Discover all Future Space Technology Advancements & Startups
The Startups & Trends in the Space Industry outlined in this report only scratch the surface of trends that we identified during our in-depth research. Among others, communication, advanced manufacturing, robotics, big data, material science, and 3D printing will transform the sector as we know it today. Identifying new opportunities and emerging technologies to implement into your business early on goes a long way in gaining a competitive advantage. Get in touch to easily and exhaustively scout relevant technologies & startups that matter to you.
