What if we couldn’t predict hurricanes, connect remote villages to the internet, or even navigate our daily commutes with interactive maps. With satellites orbiting Earth, we have unlocked new possibilities for climate research, global communication and navigation, as well as crisis response. And there is a growing need for more satellites in orbit. How do we get them there? And how can we securely handle heavily trafficked orbits?

Space consultancy firm Novaspace estimates that 5,401 new satellites will be launched between 2024 and 2033, marking a 190% increase from the previous decade, generating manufacturing revenues reaching $131.0 billion and launch revenues hitting $40.1 billion within the decade. They become smaller, more advanced, and cheaper to build and launch.

As we continue to push the boundaries of technology, satellites offer a watchful eye on Earth’s ever-changing landscape.

“Satellites provide critical data which helps us understand climate change and keep pushing societal development. The list of applications can be made long, both today and in the future. Modern technologies will require connectivity to keep pushing new innovations – such as autonomous vehicles, smart cities and global navigation systems,” says Nicholas Priborsky, President of the Connect division at SSC.

EU’s and ESA’s earth observation programs Copernicus, EarthCare and Biomass are just a few examples of space bound systems which are crucial for this endeavor. Such programs have revolutionized our ability to track air pollution, deforestation, and natural disasters with astonishing precision – aiding our attempts to tackle these challenges.

A need to connect our developing societies
In a small, remote village nestled deep in the mountains, a child logs into an online classroom for the first time. In a distant hospital, a doctor performs a lifesaving diagnosis over a telemedicine call. Such life-changing moments are made possible by reshaping global connectivity.

“Satellites help break down barriers to knowledge and communication. This is not only life-changing by enabling education and healthcare, but also empowering people everywhere to make informed decisions,” says Nicholas Priborsky.

A growing need for more satellites
Like always, societal change comes with new demands. And in turn, technological innovations come with even further expectations from society. With more people depending on connected applications in their everyday lives, the infrastructure in space needs to stay resilient.

“From checking the weather forecast when you wake up, to navigating traffic with GPS, making mobile payments, hosting video meetings at work, or watching international news – satellites are woven into nearly every part of our daily routine. It is quite simple, as the Earth’s population keeps growing and our societies get more connected, more satellites will be needed in the future,” says Nicholas Priborsky.

Ready to take on this task, satellite constellation projects by SpaceX, OneWeb, Amazon and the EU, seek to bring connectivity to most corners of the world. By deploying thousands of small satellites into low-Earth orbit, more opportunities arise for education, economic growth, and crisis management.

Launch facilities and antenna networks
Satellites are, however, nothing without their counterparts down on Earth. Valuable data collected and signals that keep us connected, get to us through a wide network of antenna ground stations spread all over the globe.

“The growing infrastructure in orbit places increasing pressure on us satellite ground station operators to expand our capabilities – transferring higher amounts of data in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. More ground stations, expanded networks of antennas, and new technologies such as optical antennas will lead the way,” says Nicholas Priborsky.

But the demand for satellite launch capacity and launch sites is not enough to meet the need for new satellites. In Europe, the continent’s first orbital launch facilities are now close to operational – at Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, Norway’s Andøya Spaceport and the UK’s Shetland Spaceport.

Concerns over space debris
Progress often comes with its challenges, and this is no exception. The sheer number of satellites being launched also raises concerns about overcrowded orbits and risks of collisions. Recognizing the urgency, space agencies and companies are racing to develop solutions. ESA’s ClearSpace-1 mission and Astroscale’s debris removal spacecraft are two of several projects that are testing innovative technologies to safely deorbit defunct satellites.

“We see more and more programs that seek to catalogue objects in orbit, manage the traffic up there, but also actively deorbiting spacecraft. Meanwhile, new governmental and industry policies are being put in place to ensure all future spacecraft are designed with self-deorbiting capabilities. It’s a start and we still have a long way to go,” says Nicholas Priborsky.

While our journey to the stars continues, societies here on Earth depend on the infrastructure that lies in orbit.