Individual Satellite Capacity Growth Challenges the Satellite Manufacturing Market

The global commercial satellite market is looking up after hitting an all time low in 2002. The over-supply of transponders is being gradually absorbed and the high definition TV (HDTV) has just begun to generate interest. However, there are still certain challenges that need to be addressed. For instance, the capacity of individual commercial satellites has risen above the demand for commercial satellite services. On account of this and the long design lives, the number of orders for the replacements is yet to see a growth.

This Frost & Sullivan research service provides a comprehensive analysis of the commercial communication satellites manufacturing market. It provides insights into the key factors that drive growth and the challenges that need to be overcome to remain competitive in a dynamic market. The study also highlights technological trends, satellite operator preferences and future trends in the market.

Tapping New Markets Essential to Increase Revenues

Although the revenue per satellite has increased, the number of satellites has seen a considerable reduction, resulting in a flat revenue profile of the commercial satellite industry over the last few years. New applications hold the key for growth of the commercial communication satellites market. "There is no reason to believe that the number of satellites required is likely to increase significantly on the basis of current applications," notes the analyst of this research. "Manufacturers need to sustain revenues through new and not just expanded markets."

Vendors are primarily optimistic about broadband and HDTV distribution and broadcasting. The successful entry of these applications is likely to create a demand for more bandwidth, and thus additional satellites.

Satellites Offering Flexibility are Set to Boost the Market

In the late 1990s, the satellite manufacturers took initiatives to upgrade their satellites by building new factories and embarking on new expansion programs. Since then, satellite technology has seen a marked development in terms of flexibility apart from reduced weight and better design life. These flexible satellites use more adaptable antennas, on-board processing, multiple spot beams, and a number of other technologies to better tailor their coverage and serve a more diverse user set.

"At present, certain satellites are made to reconfigure their coverage and perform efficiently wherever their frequency is allowed," says the analyst. "These changes reflect efforts to increase spacecraft power while making satellites smarter and more flexible, and receiving antennas smaller and less expensive." In short, the industry is poised to capitalize on any increase in demand that is expected to occur with the entry of services such as the HDTV or broadband services.

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Satellite Industry Consolidation Path Outlined

Industry consolidation is a commonly suggested solution to satellite industry overcapacity. The research service explains how this is occurring so that component manufacturers and other participants can plan accordingly.

Overview of the Current Commercial Satellite Communication Markets

This research service offers an overview of the commercial satellite communications markets which accounts for a significant portion of demand for satellite manufacturing. Commercial satellite vendors can make use of the demand analysis to lend greater accuracy to their production plans.

Analysis of Satellite Operator’s Preferences

Major and minor satellite operators’ fleets are examined to characterize the mass class and manufacturers that they have favored historically and what is currently on order. These insights are provided for a majority of satellites currently on-orbit and provide a useful tool for allocating sales efforts and resources.

Assessment of Satellite Replacement Situations

Satellite mass growth and technological advancements mean that many satellites will not be replaced on a one-to-one basis. This research service covers various satellite replacement scenarios that help guide manufacturers’ and suppliers’ sales efforts.

Sales Analysis for the Commercial Satellite Manufacturing Industry

An examination of end-user markets, technological advances, and other factors results in an overall assessment of sales and growth projections that is important to all participants involved in satellite manufacturing.

The following technologies are covered in this research service.

• Satellite Frequencies: C, Ku, and Ka-band frequencies are the most commonly used frequencies for commercial satellite communications.
• High definition TV (HDTV): This requires three to four times the bandwidth of the conventional TV transmission.
• Electric Propulsion: This increases payload size by reducing the amount of fuel a satellite must carry and increases design life by providing station-keeping services for a longer period.
• Lithium-ion Batteries: Lithium-ion batteries weigh less and occupy less volume than the nickel-hydrogen batteries used in the current generation of geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites.
• Flexible Satellite Antennas: These antennas are more adaptable than the previous generation using technologies that allow beam patterns to be changed on-orbit.
• On Board Processing: This allows a phone call to be switched from an uplink to the proper spot beam (out of a large number of tightly focused spot beams) for delivery directly from the satellite to the recipient on the ground.
• Cross-Strapping: This allows a satellite to receive a signal up-linked in one frequency (such as the Ku-band) and retransmit it to the earth on another frequency (such as the C-band).
• Split Up-Links: With split up-links, a satellite can receive more than one up-linked signal at one time allowing multiple satellite newsgathering teams to up-link to the same satellite.

Chapter 2

• Satellite Orbits
• Satellite Orbits
• Satellite Frequency Bands
• Ground Antennas Diameters at Two-Degree Orbital Spacing
• Examples of Initial Ka-Band Satellites
• Satellite Ion Thrusters
• Satellite Plasma Thrusters
• Examples of Satellites Using On-Board Processing
• Examples of Cross-Strapping and Split Uplinks

Chapter 3

• Communications Satellite Service Sectors, Direct Satellite Broadcasting
• Communications Satellite Service Sectors, Fixed Satellite Service (FSS)
• Communications Satellite Service Sectors, Mobile Satellite Services (MSS)
• Communications Satellite Service Market Areas
• Transatlantic Cable Cost and Capacity
• Proposed Broadband Satellite Systems

Chapter 4

• Satellite Mass Classes
• Commercial GEO Satellites Launched 1997-2004 (projected)
• Examples of Non-commercial Uses of Commercial Satellite Busses
• Alcatel S.A. Snapshot
• Alcatel S.A. Annual Revenue
• The Boeing Company Snapshot
• The Boeing Company Annual Revenue
• The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company Snapshot
• The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company Annual Revenue
• Lockheed Martin Corporation Snapshot
• Lockheed Martin Corporation Annual Revenue
• Orbital Sciences Corporation Company Snapshot
• Orbital Sciences Corporation Annual Revenue
• Loral Space & Communications Ltd Company Snapshot
• Loral Space & Communications Ltd Company Revenue

Chapter 5

• Intelsat Satellite Prices
• Satellite Replacement, Capacity Replacement Scenario
• Satellite Replacement, Capacity Consolidation Scenario
• Satellite Replacement, Capacity Addition Scenario
• Initial North American DARS Satellites

Chapter 6

• Top Five Fixed Satellite Operators
• SES Global Profile
• SES Global Fleet Manufacturers
• Intelsat Profile
• Intelsat Fleet Manufacturers
• Eutelsat Profile
• Eutelsat Fleet Manufacturers
• PanAmSat Profile
• PanAmSat Fleet Manufacturers
• PanAmSat Boeing Satellite Failures
• JSAT Profile
• JSAT Fleet Manufacturers
• Smaller Satellite Operators (ranked 6th through 20th by revenue)

Chapter 7

• Market Drivers for Worldwide Growth of Demand for Satellite Manufacturing, 2005-2012
• Market Restraints of Worldwide Growth of Demand for Satellite Manufacturing, 2005-2012

Chapter 8

• Commercial Satellite Manufacturing Forecast 2005-2012
• Announced and Forecast Replacement Satellites 2005-2012
• Announced New Satellites 2005-2012
• Current Satellite DTH and Video Transponder Use
• Approximate HDTV Satellite Equivalents
• Current Satellite Internet and VSAT Transponder Use
• Announced New and Replacement Satellites
• Frost & Sullivan New Satellite and Replacement Projections