Industry consultancy Euroconsult predicts healthy growth in demand for commercial satellite launches over the next decade.
Speaking at the First World Summit on the Space Transportation Business, in Paris on 10-11 May, Euroconsult's executive vice-president for space and communications, Rachel Villain, predicted that demand will average 132-163 satellite launches a year to the end of 2007, compared with 46 a year in the preceding 10 years, and 18 in the decade before that. The period of 1998-2007 is expected to represent a market value, at 1998 prices, of $45.6-55.6 billion.
Heavier satellites launched into geostationary earth orbit (GEO) will dominate the market, says Villain. While only about 24% of the satellites launched will be GEO spacecraft, they will account for 44% of the tonnage launched, and about 58% of the revenue generated. All orbit classes will be dominated by commercial satellites - 78% of GEO launches, 70% of low earth orbit projects and 59% of the medium and high earth orbit markets.
Source: Flight International
