A report from global technology intelligence firm ABI Research reveals that the number of newly launched active digital and software-defined satellites in orbit is projected to exceed 10,000 by 2031. This surge is driven by the rise of next-generation Low Earth Orbit satellite networks and efforts towards network unification, heralding a new era of global connectivity.
According to the report, the United States, Europe, and China are significantly ramping up investments in LEO satellite networks, marking a new Space Race. These investments emphasize software-driven, multi-mission space operations to support both national and commercial objectives. The industry is rapidly consolidating and advancing towards network domain unification, driven by standardization and vertical integration, to improve access to space through more flexible, efficient, and accelerated supply chains.
Andrew Cavalier, Senior Space Tech Analyst at ABI Research, explains, “Emerging technologies like Software-Defined Satellites (SDSs), Software-Defined Ground Stations (SDGSs), and Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WANs) will play a crucial role in unifying systems by enabling the programmability and reconfigurability of satellite networks.”
The report highlights that satellite networks embracing cloud-native architectures are critical for unlocking the speed, scalability, and flexibility demanded by modern space architectures. Advancing sovereign space capabilities for commercial and defense applications increasingly depends on unifying networking capabilities, driven by satellite and ground station operators adopting cloud-native architectures and integrating with NTN-compliant terrestrial networks.
Many satellite network operators are seizing this opportunity to invest in their networks or collaborate with technology companies. Networks like Amazon’s Project Kuiper, SpaceX’s Starlink, Globalstar’s C-3, Telesat Lightspeed, Iridium, Rocket Lab, Eutelsat OneWeb, and more are exploring new opportunities with vendors like Thales Alenia Space, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Airbus Space, and MDA Space to deliver advanced flexible and software-defined satellite networks via cloud-native networking principles and enhanced vertical integration.
Chinese operators such as Spacesail, China Satellite Network Group, and Shanghai Landspace Technology are also accelerating the development of their satellite constellations to strengthen national defense and security systems. These multi-application networks are expected to collectively account for more than 30,000 next-generation satellites in Low Earth Orbit.
“To seize the growing NTN opportunity in the satellite market, ecosystem players must recognize the value of 3GPP standardization, software-defined payloads, and the cloudification of ground networks," adds Cavalier. “The opportunity to enable the mass commercialization of space and enter an age of ubiquitous connectivity is imminent. Moving forward, it will be crucial to collaborate with local governments and ecosystem players to align regulatory policies, align priorities in networking architectures, and strengthen digital symbiosis across domains.”
