Look up at the sky right now. Way above the clouds, over 20,000 specialized machines are zipping around Earth, enabling the modern communication technologies billions rely on down below.
These remarkable devices are satellites – intricate networks of antennas, sensors and electronics packaged into compact platforms orbiting high overhead. From beaming 4K video to mapping forest fires, satellites provide capabilities only possible thanks to the unique vantage of space.
In this guide, we will explore the major companies that build, launch and operate the satellite constellations powering our hyper-connected world. Understanding these influential businesses offers insight into an ascendent industry increasingly crucial across countless aspects of modern society.
Why Satellites Matter More Than Ever
Since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 as humanity‘s first artificial satellite, space-based services have become deeply embedded into ordinary life even if their presence largely goes unnoticed.
However, make no mistake – satellites play vital roles across transportation, media, agriculture, research and connectivity. As Stanford University professor Bruce Kusio notes, "Very few people have any concept of just how dependent they are on space infrastructure, and how satellites impact their lives everyday."
This reliance will only intensify as satellite networks evolve delivering enhanced capabilities. Currently over 5,000 active satellites circle overhead, but companies plan to launch over 50,000 more satellites just by 2030 according to investment firm Morgan Stanley. Declining launch costs, cheaper mass-produced satellites and rising demand promises major growth ahead.
Understanding exactly how satellites achieve what border on superpowers helps reveal why humanity increasingly looks skyward for solutions.
How Satellites Work: An Expert Overview
Satellites act as specialized relay stations in space facilitating tasks difficult or impossible purely on the ground. Their value stems from capabilities enabled by their position high above earth.
Orbits: Networks place satellites into particular orbital paths based on coverage needs:
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) between 99 to 1,200 miles high circles the planet rapidly. Networks here provide low-latency, high-speed connections ideal for broadband internet but require many satellites for continual coverage.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites are positioned between 1,200 to 22,000 miles high for balance of speed and expanded reach. Navigation constellations like GPS utilize this orbital sweet spot.
Geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites operate farthest away at 22,000 miles high but precisely match earth‘s rotation to remain fixed above one area, essential for weather monitoring, broadcasting and surveillance.
Visualization of the most common satellite orbital zones
Signals: Satellites utilize onboard receivers, processors and transmitters to relay data signals similar to cellular towers on earth:
- Directional parabolic antennas focus signals into precise beams between satellites and ground stations
- Radio frequencies like Ka-band or Ku-band carry encoded data transmissions
- Ground networks hand-off data between satellites and terrestrial systems
- End-user devices like satellite phones or data modems connect customers
Overall, satellites act as intricately choreographed signal relays danced according to the orchestrations of orbital mechanics. Combined with ground infrastructure, these space-based networks enable our modern data-driven world.
Leaders of the Space Race: Top Satellite Industry Companies
Designing, building and operating reliable satellite constellations requires deep expertise and significant capital investment measured in billions. The following 11 specialized providers represent the industry leaders delivering space-based communication day-in, day-out:
Leading satellite companies ranked by annual revenue and products
1. Mitsubishi Electric – Satellite Producer to the World
2021 Revenue: $37.9 billion
As one of the largest electronics manufacturers, this Japanese industrial conglomerate notably builds more satellites than any other company. Since producing its first satellite in 1971, Mitsubishi Electric has fabricated over 600 spacecraft with its technology launched aboard half of the world’s commercial satellite launches.
Customers utilize Mitsubishi-built satellites for navigation, earth observation, and communication. The company produces satellites for domestic users and international clients including the Inmarsat-6 fleet set to provide air passengers inflight Wifi. Beyond manufacturing, Mitsubishi helps operate Japan‘s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) – a 4-satellite constellation enhancing GPS signals across the Asia-Pacific.
2. SES – Pioneer of Modern Satellite TV
2021 Revenue: $2.02 billion
Luxembourg-based SES rose to prominence in the 1980s pioneering direct-to-home satellite TV across Europe. Today SES operates the world‘s largest fleet of commercial geostationary satellites providing video distribution and data connectivity worldwide. Over 1 billion viewers across 350 million households access 8,400 television channels thanks to SES satellites.
Beyond broadcasting, SES satellites provide critical data infrastructure for aviation routes, maritime operations and government networks. SES recently launched its next-generation O3b mPower fleet promising “fiber in the sky” with electronically steered beams delivering fiber-optic speeds anywhere.
3. SpaceX Starlink – Broadband Internet from Space
Launched in 2019 by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Starlink represents the most ambitious satellite project ever – beaming broadband globally through a constellation of mass-produced small satellites numbering over 13,000 by decade’s end. Combining compact flat-packed satellites with reusable rockets, Starlink slashes costs to make space-based internet affordable and accessible potentially reaching remote regions previously cut off digitally.
While still in early stages with only around 500,000 users, Starlink promises immense disruption as more launches expand coverage and capability. Satellite tracker Union of Concerned Scientists’ senior scientist Dr. Laura Forczyk remarks “We’re talking about an exponential increase in systems in a way we haven’t seen in the last 50 years combined.”
2021 Revenue: ~$500 million (estimate based on user terminal sales)
Critical Space Infrastructure Powering Progress
This list reveals a global industry propelling space-based infrastructure supporting modern society. Stable titans like SES and disruptive upstarts like SpaceX together expand satellite fleets and next-gen tech driving faster, flexible networks. Already vital across media, transport and the economy today, satellites will likely expand incorporating AI-enhanced hardware, edge computing and quantum encryption tomorrow.
Yet building satellite networks remains extremely challenging requiring mastery of rocket science… quite literally. Most ventures fail early with SpaceX amongst few finding success after CEO Elon Musk relates "Building and launching rockets is far, far harder than most could ever imagine." However, mighty returns await those overcoming astronomical odds – such is the nature of cosmic commerce amongst the stars.
The pioneering companies profiled here passed rigorous trials conquering the bounds of Earth to elevate all of humanity. Now gazing upwards, satellite operators stand ready to launch societies everywhere into new frontiers of connectivity.
