Small satellites are those with a low mass and small size, typically weighing under 500 kg. Such satellites can all be categorised as "small." These satellites are nevertheless divided into various categories based on their mass. Small satellites lower the enormous financial burden of the launch vehicle and the costs related to its construction. Due to this, emerging economies and startups are now taking a greater interest in launching satellites outfitted with various spatial, radiometric, and spectral sensors, as well as with a wide range of multipurpose satellite cameras for a variety of uses, including communication and security. For instance, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched the Microsat small satellite in January 2018. The development of advanced small satellites like the NASA's Asteria small satellite, HawkEye 360 Inc.'s small sat express, and the GTOSat-Cubesat mission is largely responsible for the growth.
The market for Small Satellites was valued at US$ 3.3 billion in 2021, and it is anticipated to grow to US$ 12.6 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 16.2%.
Leading Companies in the Small Satellite Industry:
1. Applied Materials, Inc.
The American company Applied Materials, Inc. provides machinery, support services, and software for the production of flat-panel computer displays, smartphones, televisions, and solar products.
The "Singapore 2030" plan by Applied Materials aims to increase operations and innovation capabilities.
2. ASML Holding
Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography was the original name of ASML Holding N.V., a multinational company established in the Netherlands in 1984.
Gerard Kleisterlee and Rolf-Dieter Schwalb will not run for re-election to the Supervisory Board at the end of their current terms, which expire at the 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 26, 2023, according to a statement from ASML Holding N.V. (ASML).
3. Canon
With its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Canon Inc. is a multinational company that specialises in optical, imaging, and industrial products like lenses, cameras, medical equipment, scanners, printers, and machinery for the production of semiconductors.
With an industry-leading dynamic range of 148 dB and an automatic exposure optimization function for each sensor area, Canon creates CMOS sensors for monitoring applications that are more accurate at identifying moving objects.
4. Tokyo Electron
With its headquarters in Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo Electron Limited, also known as TEL, is a Japanese electronics and semiconductor company. In 1963, Tokyo Electron Laboratories, Inc., the company, was established.
5. Lam Research Corp.
The semiconductor industry receives its equipment for wafer fabrication and related services from the American company Lam Research Corporation. Its products are primarily used in front-end wafer processing, which includes the procedures used to create semiconductor devices' active components and their wiring.
6. KLA-Tencor
KLA Corporation is an American manufacturer of capital goods with headquarters in Milpitas, California. It provides yield management and process control systems to the semiconductor and other related nanoelectronics industries.
7. Dainippon Screen
A Japanese semiconductor and electronics company with its headquarters in Kyoto, Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. produces and sells machinery for the production of semiconductors, flat-panel displays, storage media, and equipment for manufacturing precise technology.
8. Advantest
Advantest Corporation is a leading Japanese manufacturer of automatic test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry as well as a producer of measuring tools used in the development, manufacture, and upkeep of electronic systems, including fibre optic and wireless communication gear, as well as digital consumer goods. Advantest manufactures RF, SoC, and memory test systems from its base in Tokyo.
*Definition: A low mass and size satellite, typically weighing under 1,200 kg, is referred to as a small satellite, miniaturised satellite, or smallsat. Although all of these satellites can be referred to as "small," they are divided into various categories according to their mass.
