Research Overview

The Earth's orbits are increasingly crowded with satellites and broken-up launch vehicles as the reliance on space-enabled technology and demand for large satellite constellations grow. The congested nature of space necessitates the rapid development and deployment of improved space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities, which will be a critical enabler for the space economy's long-term viability. To the greatest extent possible, SSA capabilities will allow space asset operators and decision makers to assess the space environment and surroundings for their existing space assets, predict conjunctions between objects, and warn space operators of potentially dangerous close approaches, allowing collision avoidance maneuvers from other space objects and natural events that may affect their space assets and operations.

This study examines the SSA industry from a qualitative standpoint and discusses several important aspects. The report discusses the impact of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain technology on SSA; the military focus; the effect of increasing space activities, space debris, and space sustainability on SSA; and the developments forecast to drive potential growth opportunities in the SSA industry.