Earth Observation Manager

Space-based ISR launches to grow fourfold in next decade, Novaspace says. Sep 15, 2026, 03:16 AM PARIS - The number of satellites launched to provide militaries and defense departments with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data from space is expected to increase more than fourfold in the next decade, industry consultancy Novaspace said. Defense-owned satellites for ISR will drive the future market in the segment, with 2,306 launched into orbit in the 2026-2035 period, from 485 launched in the decade through to 2025, according to data presented by Novaspace Chief Executive Officer Pacôme Révillon at the Space Defense and Security Summit here on Tuesday. The war in Ukraine has underscored the importance of space-based intelligence on the battlefield, while a brief halt of data sharing by the United States in March 2025 showed the need for governments to have assured access to space-based intel. That in turn has been a boon to commercial providers of ISR satellites, such as Finland's ICEYE. Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink revealed that the service deployed on-orbit space control weapons but did not offer details on the type of weapon. ISR "is obviously a key priority currently for most nations," Révillon said. "It's clearly a world that was already largely transparent, but the direction is as much for a diversification of assets for real-time and persistent intelligence." Most of the defense ISR satellites launched in the coming decade will be for constellations rather than individual satellites, according to Novaspace. Government budgets for space defense are forecast to climb to $121 billion in 2028 from $74 billion last year, according to Novaspace, which said at least 55 countries have space defense budgets. Government budgets for space defense amounted to $53 billion in 2022, based on the consultancy's data. Novaspace expects the number of operational systems in space may jump as much as fivefold to between 50,000 and 100,000 in 2036 from 18,000 satellites in 2026, increasing the need to keep track of them all. More than 400 satellites for space situational awareness, or SSA, will be launched in 2025-2034, according to Novaspace. Global spending on SSA is forecast to amount to $61 billion over the period, with defense programs accounting for the bulk of that, at $52 billion. Rudy Ruitenberg is a Europe correspondent for Defense News. He started his career at Bloomberg News and has experience reporting on technology, commodity markets and politics.

Krystal Azelton to participate in World Space Business Week 2026. Secure World Foundation will participate in World Space Business Week 2026, taking place September 14-17 in Paris, France. Krystal Azelton, SWF Senior Director of Program Planning, will moderate an Earth observation panel session at the Summit on Earth Observation Business, held as part of World Space Business Week. Hosted by Novaspace, World Space Business Week brings together space and satellite business leaders, investors, operators, manufacturers, service providers, government stakeholders, and emerging companies from across the global space sector. The Summit on Earth Observation Business focuses on remote sensing technologies, Earth observation constellations, ground segment innovation, data platforms, and the commercial and strategic dynamics shaping Earth observation markets. Discussions are expected to address topics such as AI-enabled analytics, cloud delivery models, trusted data pipelines, and the needs of markets including climate, maritime, and agriculture. Azelton will moderate a discussion on trends in Earth observation, their relationship to space sustainability policy, and future capabilities. Her participation will support SWF's work on commercial space, remote sensing, and policy approaches that help enable the secure and sustainable use of outer space.

Centre for Space Futures, Novaspace and SpaceTech Gulf sign agreement to develop Global Space Capability Mapping dashboard. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - June, 2026 The Centre for Space Futures (CSF), together with leading international partners including Novaspace, and SpaceTech Gulf, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to jointly develop a Global Space Capability Mapping and Index Dashboard. The agreement marks the start of a collaborative effort to build a data-driven platform that maps global space capabilities and makes them more accessible and actionable for decision-makers worldwide. The initiative is designed to address a critical gap in the space ecosystem: limited visibility into who holds which capabilities, and how those capabilities can be applied to solve real-world challenges. At its core, the dashboard will provide a structured view of global space capabilities across key domains. By leveraging open-source data, advanced methodologies, and partner expertise, the platform aims to become a trusted reference point for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers. Beyond mapping, the initiative is intended to enable practical application. Countries or organizations facing challenges, such as agricultural disease monitoring, climate risks, or infrastructure resilience, will be able to identify where relevant space-enabled capabilities exist, understand how similar problems have been addressed, and connect with the right partners to implement solutions. "This initiative is about turning capability into impact," said Eng. Mishaal Ashemimry, Managing Director of CSF. "We are building a tool that helps decision-makers move from identifying a challenge to finding a proven solution and the right partner to deliver it." "Understanding and benchmarking national space capabilities is becoming increasingly important for governments, investors, and industry stakeholders navigating a rapidly evolving space economy," said Carla Filotico, Partner & Managing Director at Novaspace. "This collaboration brings together complementary expertise to develop a trusted framework that will help stakeholders better understand space ecosystems and support informed decision-making." As space technologies become increasingly relevant to addressing global challenges, many potential users still lack clear pathways to access and apply them. This collaboration aims to bridge that gap by making capabilities more visible, comparable, and usable. The initiative will also produce periodic insights and reports, contributing to a deeper understanding of global space capabilities, emerging applications, and opportunities for international collaboration. The MoC establishes a framework for joint work over the coming years, reinforcing international cooperation and supporting the development of a more connected and solution-oriented global space ecosystem. About The Centre for Space Futures (CSF) The Centre for Space Futures (CSF) is a global, impartial platform established through a partnership between the Saudi Space Agency and the World Economic Forum. As the first space-focused hub within the World Economic Forum's Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network, CSF supports the growth of the global space economy through policy insight, technology enablement, and cross-sector collaboration. Visit our homepage for more. About Novaspace Novaspace is the leading independent consulting and market intelligence firm dedicated to the global space sector. Leveraging over 40 years of industry expertise, the company supports public and private stakeholders across the entire space value chain with high-impact, data-driven advisory services, combining management and technology consulting, market intelligence, and executive summits to help organizations navigate complexity, manage risk, and capture growth opportunities. Trusted by more than 1,200 clients in over 60 countries, Novaspace operates globally with offices in Bangalore, Brussels, London, Montreal, Munich, Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toulouse, and Washington, D.C. About SpaceTech Gulf (STG) SpaceTech in Gulf is a space market intelligence and analytics company focused on the GCC and wider MENA region. The company specializes in strategic communications and provides insights into the region's growing space ecosystem, helping organizations understand market trends, opportunities, and challenges. By combining regional expertise with a strong industry network, SpaceTech in Gulf supports stakeholders in navigating the space sector and shaping strategies that enable growth and innovation. Media Enquiries: CSF: Bayda Alibrahim| Director of Partnerships | [email protected] STG: Alex Cresniov | CEO and Fonder | [email protected]