Top 10 Satellite Bus Companies Powering Next-Generation Space Missions

A satellite bus, also called a spacecraft bus or platform, is the standardized framework that houses and supports a satellite’s systems, onto which mission-specific payloads are mounted.

Key components include:

Structural Subsystem: Provides mechanical support for the payload and subsystems, engineered to endure launch stresses and space conditions.

Power Subsystem: Generates, stores, and distributes electricity, typically via solar panels and onboard batteries, to power all satellite systems, including during eclipse periods or high-demand operations.  

Miniaturization and Rise of SmallSats

Advances in component miniaturization have paved the way for “SmallSats,” including the widely adopted CubeSat format. These scale-down platforms maintain core satellite functionalities in a compact structure, driving affordability and faster deployment cycles. As a result, space access has expanded, fueling new opportunities in Earth Monitoring, satellite constellations, and technology demonstration missions. The satellite bus enables sustainable innovation by providing a reliable, energy-efficient platform that supports diverse missions while reducing costs and accelerating deployment.

The burgeoning need for communication, Earth observation, and navigation services is fueling top satellite bus companies to upgrade their technology. In 2023, 2877 commercial satellites were launched, a 14.6% increase over 2022, driven by strong government and private sector investments. This surge highlights the need for reliable, efficient satellite platforms to support diverse missions, ensuring robust global coverage and advanced capabilities.

As per a report by Fortune Business Insights™, the market for satellite bus stood at USD 44.81 billion in 2024 and is expected to increase from USD 48.28 billion in 2025 to USD 84.97 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 8.4% during 2025-2032.

Fortune Business Insights™ Profiles Top 10 Satellite Bus Companies

1. Lockheed Martin Corporation 

Lockheed Martin delivers cutting-edge technologies and integrates aircraft, space, and missile solutions. Lockheed Martin secured a USD 816 million deal in August 2023 to build 36 satellites, enhancing space-based communications for defense. In November 2023, Firefly selected Lockheed’s satellite antenna for testing. By November 2028, Lockheed will have successfully designed its advanced commercial vehicle satellite and successfully demoed its regenerative non-terrestrial network base station under the 5G.MIL Unified Network Solutions Program, addressing growing demand for broadband connectivity in commercial aviation.

2. Airbus SE

Airbus SE, a premier aerospace corporation, produces commercial helicopters and defense and space systems. The company adopted the name Airbus SE in 2017, replacing Airbus Group SE. In January 2021, Airbus secured a contract from KY Perfect JSAT in Japan to deliver the OneSat-based Superbird-9 spacecraft with a turnkey solution conveying design, manufacturing, and digital payload management. In May 2023, Airbus’ Eurostar Neo satellite, Arabsat BADR-8, completed testing and was shipped for launch, offering connectivity across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, and debuting the TELEO optical communication systems.

3. The Boeing Company

Boeing specializes in satellite buses, rotorcraft, and missiles. It is a key player in commercial aviation as well as space, defense, and security systems. Boeing marked key milestones in 2023: In March, it delivered the 702MP+ platform on Viasat, supporting large payloads with record-sized solar arrays and generating over 30 kW of power. In April, it introduced the Protected Tactical Satcom design, incorporating the PTS-P payload on WGS-11 for launch in 2024. The anti-jam system offers advanced resilience through jammer geolocation, adaptive nulling, and frequency hopping, with operational transition planned after 2025 testing.

4. Northrop Grumman Corporation

Northrop Grumman focuses on cutting-edge technologies, including cybersecurity, C4ISR, unmanned systems, and logistics. In September 2021, Northrop Grumman Corporation won a DARPA Phase 2 contract to develop advanced software-defined PNT payloads for potential space deployment. In August 2022, it launched the SBIBS Geo-6 payload for the U.S. Space Force’s Infrared surveillance program.

5. Honeywell International Inc.

Honeywell International Inc. is a diversified tech and manufacturing company serving aerospace, building automation, and industrial automation sectors. Honeywell’s space initiatives include a December 2021 partnership with Skyloom to manufacture laser crosslink terminals for military and commercial satellites. In October 2023, the company won a five-year IDIQ contract to support the U.S. Space Force’s pLEO program, an extensive constellation of small satellites designed to provide worldwide high-speed, low-delay communications.

6. Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI)

IAI offers a diverse range of military and commercial solutions from aircraft and drones to missiles and satellite buses. IAI expanded its long-range loitering munitions footprint in 2023. In May 2023, Estonia contracted IAI for advanced laser-guided munitions in a major defense deal to strengthen national firepower.

7. L3Harris Technologies Inc.

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. delivers advanced solutions in defense, public safety, and space, driving India’s modern and self-reliant future. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. advanced its space portfolio with a July 2022 SDA contract to deliver 14 satellites equipped with optical links, infrared sensors, Ka-band payloads, and versatile pointing systems, plus operational support. In June 2023, it secured a USD 29 million award from the U.S. Space Force to develop a medium Earth orbit sensor payload to detect and track hypersonic missiles, with design review set for May 2024.

8. Thales Group

Thales Group designs and builds electrical and software systems for security, aerospace, defense, and digital technologies. Thales Alenia Space achieved two milestones in December 2023: choosing the UK’s National Satellite Test Facility for the European Space Agency’s FLEX satellite testing, which will assess global vegetation health, and partnering with PT Len Industry to build a radar-optical Earth observation constellation for Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence.

9. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) provides integrated solutions across industrial machinery, aerospace, defense, energy, and logistics & infrastructure. MHI’s recent milestones include developing an AI-powered object detector (March 2023) for in-orbit demonstration, aiding JAXA's XRISM satellite in first-image acquisition (April 2023), and partnering with the UK Space Agency (June 2023) on a satellite telemetry system for the H3 rocket.  

11. Maxar Technologies

Maxar Technologies specializes in Earth observation, space infrastructure, and geospatial intelligence. Maxar secured a contract in September 2022 to supply 16 of its 300-series satellite buses to L3Harris for the SDA’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer. In April 2023, the company finalized the Critical Design Review, paving the way for production to support missile defense missions.

The Bottom Line

In the rapidly evolving field of space exploration, this platform stands out as the central platform that drives forward mission success. It holds up structural stability, powers up onboard systems, and keeps in check control functions, enabling payloads to operate at peak efficiency. As the industry advances toward more ambitious missions and competitive timelines, the satellite bus is set to become increasingly intelligent, energy-efficient, and adaptable. Its strategic importance would continue to grow, underpinning both commercial and scientific achievements and reinforcing the principle that sustainable innovation relies on strong, reliable infrastructure.