Earth Observation Launches Increasing, Price War Looming, Euroconsult Says

Between 2006 and 2015, 163 earth observation satellites larger than 50 kilograms launched worldwide for civil and commercial Earth observation, with another 419 such launches expected over the next decade, Euroconsult said in a news release Thursday. Canada Managing Director Adam Keith said those numbers don't include satellites smaller than 50 kilograms, such as Planet and Spire constellations. He also said there will be downward price pressure as supply increases faster than demand for commercial data and services. Euroconsult said defense will drive growth in the short term given regional unrest "and the limited ability of countries to operate capable image intelligence systems being the main driving factors," but longer-term growth will come from such applications as maritime, infrastructure and resources monitoring.