Browse Resources by Year

2012 – Earth Observation

Earth observation and imaging services enabled by satellite remain a small but vital part of the global space economy. Earth observation revenues in 2012 were estimated to total $## billion, #% more than the $## billion generated in 2011. The largest revenue growth occurred in the defense and intelligence, and energy and natural resources sectors.

2012 – Satellite Communications

The 2012 revenue for the satellite communications sector is estimated at $## billion, #% higher than the 2011 figure of $## billion. The market is composed of satellite operators, which lease out the transmission capacity of their satellites to private and government clients in need of transmission capability. Traditionally, these satellites were used to transmit voice and television signals where it was economically or technically disadvantageous to string telephone wire. Examples include transoceanic transmissions, places like Siberia where…

2012 – Satellite Radio

Revenue for satellite radio broadcasting is estimated at $## billion in 2012, a ##% increase from $## billion in 2011. Sirius XM continues to be the sole revenue generator in this industry segment. In Europe, Madrid-based Ondas Media confirmed that it has temporarily abandoned its plan to launch its own radio broadcasting satellite due to Europe’s ongoing economic challenges. However, the company’s French affiliate, Onde Numérique, still plans to introduce its service in France by 2013.

2012 – Satellite Television

Revenues from DTH television services comprised ##% of the commercial space products and services sector, and grew from $## billion in 2011 to $## billion in 2012. North American DTH providers DIRECTV and DISH Network continue to be the largest suppliers, with combined revenues of $## billion for 2012, a ##% increase from $## billion in 2011. Other DTH providers around the world generated the remaining $## billion in 2012 revenues.

2012 – RDT&E and IR&D funding

Independent research and development (IR&D), another infrastructure support industry, covers research and development activities initiated and funded by defense contractors independent of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Space-related IR&D is estimated by applying the percentage of space R&D versus total DoD R&D to the total amount of all IR&D spending according to the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Space IR&D spending was estimated at $## million in 2012, a slight decrease from the $## million estimated for 2011. This decrease stems from declines in both government-funded space R&D and the overall level of IR&D as tracked by the DoD.

2012 – Space Insurance

XL Insurance, an insurance brokerage, reported that space insurance premiums in 2012 totaled approximately $## million, compared to approximately $## million paid out in claims. This is comparable to Aon/ISB’s estimates of approximately $## million collected in premiums and $## million paid out in claims in 2011.

2012 – Commercial Human Spaceflight

The retirement of the Space Shuttle is spurring development of commercial cargo and crew transportation services. NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, started in 2006, has awarded contracts to private companies to develop vehicles that transport cargo and personnel to and from the ISS. Although some companies, such as Boeing and Sierra Nevada, had started vehicle development work on their own, COTS funding has sped up the development process. So far, most COTS funding has been directed toward the development of two rockets and their associated cargo-carrying spacecraft. SpaceX has developed the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule, while Orbital Sciences is developing the Antares rocket and Cygnus freighter.

2012 – Ground Stations and Receivers

The market for ground stations and equipment was estimated at $## billion in 2012, a ##% increase from $## billion in 2011. The term “ground equipment” refers to Earth-based infrastructure and technology…

2012 – Space Stations

For fiscal year (FY) 2012, NASA allocated $## billion for ISS operations, a slight increase over the $## billion allocated in FY 2011. The ISS was designed for a full-time crew of six and is expected to maintain this staffing level until at least 2020.

2012 – Satellite Manufacturing

A total of ## satellites were launched (or attempted to be launched) in 2012, a ##% increase from the ## in 2011. This includes all payloads launched into space except for technology development payloads and missions to the ISS. These ## satellites were worth approximately $## billion, a ##% increase over the $## billion value of the ## satellites launched in 2011.