> **来源：[研报客](https://pc.yanbaoke.cn)** # Smallsats by the Numbers 2025 Summary ## Core Content This report provides an overview of the growth and distribution of smallsat launches from 2015 to 2024, highlighting trends in mass classes, mission types, operators, and launch vehicles. It includes both total launches and upmass data, as well as insights into the market dynamics and future outlook. ## Main Points ### **Smallsat Launch Trends (2015–2024)** - **Total Launches with Smallsats**: Increased significantly over the years, with 199 launches in 2024. - **Percentage of Launches with Smallsats**: Rose to 86% in 2024, showing a consistent increase in smallsat deployment. - **Launch Vehicle Categories**: - **Micro and Small Vehicles**: Dominated the majority of launches, with small vehicles accounting for ~78% in 2024. - **Medium to Super Heavy Vehicles**: Increased by ~20% in 2024 compared to 2023, indicating a shift towards larger vehicles for smallsat launches. - **U.S. Dominance**: The U.S. launched the majority of smallsats (86% in 2024), with non-U.S. launches dropping below 15%. - **New Operators**: 2024 saw a decrease in new operators, but the overall trend has shown consistent interest in the market. ### **Smallsat Mass Trends (2015–2024)** - **Smallsat Definition**: Satellites with a mass of ≤1,200 kg. - **Mass Class Growth**: - **Small Mass Class**: Dominated in 2024, with 76% of all smallsats, showing an increase in the average mass of smallsats. - **Average Smallsat Mass**: Increased to 633 kg in 2024, up from 396 kg in 2023. - **Upmass Trends**: - **Total Upmass**: Rose to 2,180,000 kg in 2024, with a 130% growth compared to 2023. - **Small Mass Class Upmass**: Increased to 145,000 kg in 2024, primarily due to the growth in Starlink and OneWeb satellites. - **Excluding Starlink and OneWeb**: Smallsat upmass accounted for <10% of total upmass since 2019. ### **Mission Type Distribution (2015–2024)** - **Communications**: Dominated the market, especially with Starlink and OneWeb satellites, which accounted for 73% of 2024 launches. - **Remote Sensing**: Showed growth in 2023 and 2024, with a 13% share in 2024. - **Technology Development**: Remained a significant portion, with a 5% share in 2024. - **Scientific and Other Missions**: Accounted for a smaller portion of the overall smallsat launches. ### **Operator Trends (2015–2024)** - **Commercial Operators**: Dominated the market, with 89% of commercial smallsats launched between 2015 and 2024 owned by 7 major operators. - **Top Commercial Operators**: - **SpaceX**: Launched 7,636 smallsats (including 2,500 Starlink). - **Other Commercial Operators**: Launched 1,150 smallsats. - **OneWeb**: Launched 6 smallsats. - **Government Operators**: - **U.S.**: Launched the most government smallsats (362), including NASA, USAF, and DARPA. - **China**: Launched 334 government smallsats, with the PLA and CAST being major contributors. - **Russia, India, and Others**: Also launched a significant number of government smallsats. - **Academic Institutions**: Played a role in smallsat development, with top institutions including Kyushu Institute of Technology, MIT, and Tsinghua University. ### **Country of Launch Providers** - **U.S. Launch Providers**: Dominated the market, with 86% of smallsats launched in 2024. - **Non-U.S. Launch Providers**: Accounted for 14% of smallsat launches in 2024. - **Launch Vehicle Distribution**: - **Micro and Small Vehicles**: Comprised the majority of launches, but their share of smallsat launches remained low. - **Medium to Super Heavy Vehicles**: Increased in use for smallsat launches in 2024. ## Key Information - **Total Smallsats Launched in 2024**: 2,790. - **Smallsats as a Share of Total Spacecraft**: 97%. - **Smallsats as a Share of Total Upmass**: 81%. - **Growth in Average Mass**: From 194 kg in 2021 to 633 kg in 2024. - **Top Operators**: - **SpaceX**: Largest commercial operator with 7,636 smallsats. - **OneWeb**: Second-largest with 6 smallsats. - **Other Commercial Operators**: 1,150 smallsats. - **Top Government Operators**: - **U.S. (NRO, NASA, USAF/USSF)**: 362 smallsats. - **China (PLA, CAST, CNSA)**: 334 smallsats. - **Russia (Ministry of Defense)**: 57 smallsats. - **Top Academic Institutions**: - **Kyushu Institute of Technology**: 22 smallsats. - **Technical University of Berlin**: 17 smallsats. - **MIT, Tsinghua University, etc.**: Launched multiple smallsats. ## Future Outlook - **Market Growth**: Continued growth in smallsat launches and upmass is expected. - **Mass Trends**: The average mass of smallsats is increasing, indicating a shift towards larger satellites. - **Mission Diversity**: Remote sensing and technology development are becoming more prominent. - **Operator Expansion**: The commercial sector remains the largest contributor, followed by national security and government civil missions. ## Summary Table | Year | Total Smallsats Launched | Smallsats as % of Total Spacecraft | Smallsats as % of Total Upmass | Average Smallsat Mass (kg) | Share of Smallsats on Micro/Small Vehicles | U.S. Share of Smallsats | |------|---------------------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------------------------|------------------------| | 2015 | 190 | 95% | 55% | 125 | 76% | 53% | | 2016 | 141 | 95% | 52% | 125 | 83% | 36% | | 2017 | 401 | 95% | 70% | 144 | 93% | 32% | | 2018 | 397 | 95% | 49% | 197 | 88% | 43% | | 2019 | 424 | 95% | 35% | 172 | 72% | 55% | | 2020 | 1,219 | 95% | 46% | 208 | 5% | 77% | | 2021 | 1,778 | 95% | 47% | 194 | 6% | 74% | | 2022 | 2,433 | 95% | 57% | 242 | 6% | 87% | | 2023 | 2,860 | 95% | 76% | 396 | 5% | 88% | | 2024 | 2,790 | 97% | 81% | 633 | 6% | 86% |