Small Launch Vehicle Market
PUBLISHED: 2025 ID: SMRC28570
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Small Launch Vehicle Market

Small Launch Vehicle Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Type (Reusable and Single-use), Propulsion Type, Payload Range, Vehicle Size, Launch Type, End User and By Geography

4.4 (85 reviews)
4.4 (85 reviews)
Published: 2025 ID: SMRC28570

This report covers the impact of COVID-19 on this global market
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According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Small Launch Vehicle Market is accounted for $1.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $3.6 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 13% during the forecast period. A Small Launch Vehicle (SLV) is a type of rocket designed to carry small payloads, typically ranging from a few hundred kilograms to a few tons, into space. SLVs are often more cost-effective and flexible than larger launch vehicles, making them suitable for deploying small satellites, scientific missions, or technology demonstrations. They are increasingly popular for commercial, government, and research applications due to their lower cost, shorter development times, and ability to serve niche or specific launch needs.

Market Dynamics: 

Driver: 

Increased demand for small satellites

Small satellites, used for applications such as communications, Earth observation, and scientific research, require dedicated launch vehicles that are cost-effective and efficient. As the cost of building and launching small satellites decreases, more companies and organizations are entering the space sector. This growing interest drives the need for smaller, more affordable launch vehicles tailored to the payload size of small satellites. Moreover, the rise in satellite constellations for global internet coverage further accelerates the market for SLVs. As these technologies advance, SLVs are becoming a crucial enabler for space innovation, benefiting from improved propulsion systems and flexible launch schedules.

Restraint:

Competition with larger launch providers

Larger companies benefit from economies of scale, allowing them to offer more cost-effective solutions. They also have established customer bases and strong brand recognition, making it harder for smaller providers to gain market traction. Additionally, major players often possess more advanced technology and better access to regulatory approvals. This dominance leads to limited market share for smaller SLV companies, restricting their growth potential. As a result, small launch vehicle companies face significant challenges in competing with these industry giants.

Opportunity:

Rise of new space economies

Small Launch Vehicles offer lower launch costs compared to traditional rockets, making them ideal for smaller payloads. The expansion of satellite constellations for communications, earth observation, and internet services boosts the need for frequent, smaller launches. Furthermore, advancements in technology and manufacturing are improving the efficiency and reliability of SLVs. As space becomes more commercialized, the demand for flexible and rapid launch solutions grows. The growth of new space economies directly aligns with the surge in SLV market opportunities and investments.

Threat:

Competition from other technologies

Emerging alternatives like reusable rockets and advancements in satellite technology reduce demand for small-scale launches. Larger rockets also offer greater payload capacities at a lower cost per unit, making them more appealing for commercial and government projects. Additionally, innovations in air launch systems and hybrid propulsion threaten to capture market share. Smaller firms in the small launch vehicle sector struggle to compete with the well-established players offering more versatile, cost-efficient solutions. Regulatory hurdles and funding challenges further hinder the growth of newer, smaller launch providers.

Covid-19 Impact

The Covid-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the small launch vehicle (SLV) market due to global supply chain disruptions and limited workforce availability. Delays in satellite launches and the suspension of planned missions affected the demand for SLVs. Despite these challenges, the market showed resilience with a steady recovery as demand for small satellite launches continued to grow. Government and private sector investments in space exploration contributed to the rebound of SLV development. As the market stabilizes, technological innovations and cost-effective solutions are driving a new era of growth for small launch vehicles.

The reusable segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The reusable segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period by reducing the cost per launch. Reusability enables companies to perform multiple missions with the same hardware, leading to lower overall expenses. This advancement makes space access more affordable for small satellite operators and research institutions. Additionally, reusable technologies enhance operational efficiency and decrease turnaround times between launches. The reduction in costs and increased flexibility encourage more companies and governments to explore satellite deployment opportunities. 

The commercial segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the commercial segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate, due to increased demand for cost-effective, flexible, and frequent access to space. Commercial companies like SpaceX and Rocket Lab have led the charge in developing efficient, smaller launch vehicles. These vehicles are often used for deploying small satellites, which are increasingly needed for communication, earth observation, and navigation. The reduced cost of launching payloads appeals to businesses looking to minimize expenses. Additionally, the ability to provide dedicated launches for small satellites enhances the commercial market's appeal and accelerates growth in the space industry.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is expected to hold the largest market share due to the rising demand for cost-effective and flexible space launch solutions. Countries like India, Japan, and South Korea are at the forefront, investing heavily in SLVs for both commercial and governmental space missions. The increasing number of satellite constellations, as well as the demand for small satellite launches, is driving the market's expansion. Additionally, governments are offering favorable policies and incentives, encouraging private companies to enter the SLV market. The Asia Pacific SLV market is expected to continue its growth trajectory, benefiting from technological advancements and the region's burgeoning space industry.

Region with highest CAGR:

Over the forecast period, the South America region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR, owing to the increased demand for cost-effective satellite launches rises. Key players in the region are focusing on developing affordable and reliable SLVs to serve both governmental and private sectors. Countries like Brazil are making significant investments in space infrastructure, with a push for launching micro and nanosatellites. The presence of regional space agencies and partnerships with international space organizations is driving innovation. Additionally, South America's increasing interest in space technology offers strong growth opportunities for SLV providers.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players profiled in the Small Launch Vehicle Market include Rocket Lab, Relativity Space, Firefly Aerospace, Orbex, Skyrora, PLD Space, Astra, OneWeb, Blue Origin, Virgin Orbit, Gilmour Space Technologies, Rivada Networks, Arianespace, Northrop Grumman, Sierra Nevada Corporation, SpaceX, ISRO and  United Launch Alliance (ULA).

Key Developments:

In August 2024, SRO announced plans to transfer SSLV technology to private industries, enabling Indian companies to manufacture smaller rockets. This initiative is expected to bolster the country's space sector by leveraging private sector capabilities.

In August 2024, ISRO successfully launched the Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-08) using the SSLV-D3. This mission marked the completion of the SSLV development process, with plans to transition the technology to private industries for commercial production.

Types Covered:
• Reusable
• Single-use          

Propulsion Types Covered:
• Solid Propulsion
• Liquid Propulsion
• Hybrid Propulsion
• Electric Propulsion          

Payload Ranges Covered:
• Up to 100 kg
• 100 -500 kg
• 500 -1000 kg
• 1000-2000 kg

Vehicle Sizes Covered:
• Nano Launch Vehicles
• Micro Launch Vehicles
• Mini Launch Vehicles

Launch Types Covered:
• Orbital Launch
• Sub-Orbital Launch

End Users Covered:
• Commercial
• Government and Defense
• Military
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:
• North America
o US
o Canada
o Mexico
• Europe
o Germany
o UK
o Italy
o France
o Spain
o Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
o Japan        
o China        
o India        
o Australia  
o New Zealand
o South Korea
o Rest of Asia Pacific    
• South America
o Argentina
o Brazil
o Chile
o Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa 
o Saudi Arabia
o UAE
o Qatar
o South Africa
o Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2030
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Free Customization Offerings: 
All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:
• Company Profiling
o Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
o SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
o Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
o Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary         
           
2 Preface          
 2.1 Abstract         
 2.2 Stake Holders        
 2.3 Research Scope        
 2.4 Research Methodology       
  2.4.1 Data Mining       
  2.4.2 Data Analysis       
  2.4.3 Data Validation       
  2.4.4 Research Approach       
 2.5 Research Sources        
  2.5.1 Primary Research Sources      
  2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources      
  2.5.3 Assumptions       
           
3 Market Trend Analysis        
 3.1 Introduction        
 3.2 Drivers         
 3.3 Restraints        
 3.4 Opportunities        
 3.5 Threats         
 3.6 End User Analysis        
 3.7 Emerging Markets        
 3.8 Impact of Covid-19        
           
4 Porters Five Force Analysis        
 4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers       
 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers       
 4.3 Threat of substitutes       
 4.4 Threat of new entrants       
 4.5 Competitive rivalry        
           
5 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market, By Type      
 5.1 Introduction        
 5.2 Reusable         
 5.3 Single-use        
           
6 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market, By Propulsion Type     
 6.1 Introduction        
 6.2 Solid Propulsion        
 6.3 Liquid Propulsion        
 6.4 Hybrid Propulsion        
 6.5 Electric Propulsion        
           
7 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market, By Payload Range     
 7.1 Introduction        
 7.2 Up to 100 kg        
 7.3 100 -500 kg        
 7.4 500 -1000 kg        
 7.5 1000-2000 kg        
           
8 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market, By Vehicle Size     
 8.1 Introduction        
 8.2 Nano Launch Vehicles       
 8.3 Micro Launch Vehicles       
 8.4 Mini Launch Vehicles       
           
9 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market, By Launch Type     
 9.1 Introduction        
 9.2 Orbital Launch        
  9.2.1 Low Earth Orbit (LEO)      
  9.2.2 Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)      
  9.2.3 Geostationary Orbit (GEO)      
  9.2.4 Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)      
 9.3 Sub-Orbital Launch        
           
10 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market, By End User      
 10.1 Introduction        
 10.2 Commercial        
 10.3 Government and Defense       
 10.4 Military         
 10.5 Other End Users        
           
11 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market, By Geography      
 11.1 Introduction        
 11.2 North America        
  11.2.1 US        
  11.2.2 Canada        
  11.2.3 Mexico        
 11.3 Europe         
  11.3.1 Germany        
  11.3.2 UK        
  11.3.3 Italy        
  11.3.4 France        
  11.3.5 Spain        
  11.3.6 Rest of Europe       
 11.4 Asia Pacific        
  11.4.1 Japan        
  11.4.2 China        
  11.4.3 India        
  11.4.4 Australia        
  11.4.5 New Zealand       
  11.4.6 South Korea       
  11.4.7 Rest of Asia Pacific       
 11.5 South America        
  11.5.1 Argentina       
  11.5.2 Brazil        
  11.5.3 Chile        
  11.5.4 Rest of South America      
 11.6 Middle East & Africa       
  11.6.1 Saudi Arabia       
  11.6.2 UAE        
  11.6.3 Qatar        
  11.6.4 South Africa       
  11.6.5 Rest of Middle East & Africa      
           
12 Key Developments         
 12.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures    
 12.2 Acquisitions & Mergers       
 12.3 New Product Launch       
 12.4 Expansions        
 12.5 Other Key Strategies       
           
13 Company Profiling         
 13.1 Rocket Lab        
 13.2 Relativity Space        
 13.3 Firefly Aerospace        
 13.4 Orbex         
 13.5 Skyrora         
 13.6 PLD Space        
 13.7 Astra         
 13.8 OneWeb         
 13.9 Blue Origin        
 13.10 Virgin Orbit        
 13.11 Gilmour Space Technologies       
 13.12 Rivada Networks        
 13.13 Arianespace        
 13.14 Northrop Grumman        
 13.15 Sierra Nevada Corporation       
 13.16 SpaceX         
 13.17 ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)     
 13.18 United Launch Alliance (ULA)       
           
List of Tables          
1 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Region (2022-2030) ($MN)   
2 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Type (2022-2030) ($MN)   
3 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Reusable (2022-2030) ($MN)   
4 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Single-use (2022-2030) ($MN)   
5 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Propulsion Type (2022-2030) ($MN)  
6 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Solid Propulsion (2022-2030) ($MN)  
7 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Liquid Propulsion (2022-2030) ($MN)  
8 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Hybrid Propulsion (2022-2030) ($MN)  
9 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Electric Propulsion (2022-2030) ($MN)  
10 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Payload Range (2022-2030) ($MN)   
11 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Up to 100 kg (2022-2030) ($MN)   
12 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By 100 -500 kg (2022-2030) ($MN)   
13 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By 500 -1000 kg (2022-2030) ($MN)   
14 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By 1000-2000 kg (2022-2030) ($MN)   
15 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Vehicle Size (2022-2030) ($MN)   
16 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Nano Launch Vehicles (2022-2030) ($MN)  
17 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Micro Launch Vehicles (2022-2030) ($MN)  
18 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Mini Launch Vehicles (2022-2030) ($MN)  
19 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Launch Type (2022-2030) ($MN)   
20 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Orbital Launch (2022-2030) ($MN)   
21 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (2022-2030) ($MN)  
22 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) (2022-2030) ($MN) 
23 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Geostationary Orbit (GEO) (2022-2030) ($MN) 
24 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) (2022-2030) ($MN) 
25 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Sub-Orbital Launch (2022-2030) ($MN)  
26 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By End User (2022-2030) ($MN)   
27 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Commercial (2022-2030) ($MN)   
28 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Government and Defense (2022-2030) ($MN) 
29 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Military (2022-2030) ($MN)   
30 Global Small Launch Vehicle Market Outlook, By Other End Users (2022-2030) ($MN)  
           
Note: Tables for North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East & Africa Regions are also represented in the same manner as above.

List of Figures

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY


Research Methodology

We at Stratistics opt for an extensive research approach which involves data mining, data validation, and data analysis. The various research sources include in-house repository, secondary research, competitor’s sources, social media research, client internal data, and primary research.

Our team of analysts prefers the most reliable and authenticated data sources in order to perform the comprehensive literature search. With access to most of the authenticated data bases our team highly considers the best mix of information through various sources to obtain extensive and accurate analysis.

Each report takes an average time of a month and a team of 4 industry analysts. The time may vary depending on the scope and data availability of the desired market report. The various parameters used in the market assessment are standardized in order to enhance the data accuracy.

Data Mining

The data is collected from several authenticated, reliable, paid and unpaid sources and is filtered depending on the scope & objective of the research. Our reports repository acts as an added advantage in this procedure. Data gathering from the raw material suppliers, distributors and the manufacturers is performed on a regular basis, this helps in the comprehensive understanding of the products value chain. Apart from the above mentioned sources the data is also collected from the industry consultants to ensure the objective of the study is in the right direction.

Market trends such as technological advancements, regulatory affairs, market dynamics (Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Challenges) are obtained from scientific journals, market related national & international associations and organizations.

Data Analysis

From the data that is collected depending on the scope & objective of the research the data is subjected for the analysis. The critical steps that we follow for the data analysis include:

  • Product Lifecycle Analysis
  • Competitor analysis
  • Risk analysis
  • Porters Analysis
  • PESTEL Analysis
  • SWOT Analysis

The data engineering is performed by the core industry experts considering both the Marketing Mix Modeling and the Demand Forecasting. The marketing mix modeling makes use of multiple-regression techniques to predict the optimal mix of marketing variables. Regression factor is based on a number of variables and how they relate to an outcome such as sales or profits.


Data Validation

The data validation is performed by the exhaustive primary research from the expert interviews. This includes telephonic interviews, focus groups, face to face interviews, and questionnaires to validate our research from all aspects. The industry experts we approach come from the leading firms, involved in the supply chain ranging from the suppliers, distributors to the manufacturers and consumers so as to ensure an unbiased analysis.

We are in touch with more than 15,000 industry experts with the right mix of consultants, CEO's, presidents, vice presidents, managers, experts from both supply side and demand side, executives and so on.

The data validation involves the primary research from the industry experts belonging to:

  • Leading Companies
  • Suppliers & Distributors
  • Manufacturers
  • Consumers
  • Industry/Strategic Consultants

Apart from the data validation the primary research also helps in performing the fill gap research, i.e. providing solutions for the unmet needs of the research which helps in enhancing the reports quality.


For more details about research methodology, kindly write to us at info@strategymrc.com

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