Commercial Satellite Orders Rise as Data Demand Grows
Businesses relying on satellite connectivity should prepare for shifting bandwidth costs as multi-orbit strategies become the norm.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Remote Work
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The satellite industry reports 14 commercial GEO satellite orders through mid-September 2026, surpassing the total volume recorded in 2025. This uptick in orders signals a shift toward multi-orbit operational strategies for companies reliant on global data connectivity.
Why it matters
Rising demand for satellite-enabled data services and defense-focused communications is driving investment in new infrastructure. Operators should watch for shifts in bandwidth costs as high-throughput systems and non-geostationary orbit projects scale.
The industry recorded 14 commercial GEO orders by mid-September 2026, an increase from 10 orders in 2025 and 6 in 2024. Total satellite services revenues are projected to reach $145 billion by 2035, representing 44 per cent growth over current levels.
The players
Novaspace
A research and consulting firm specializing in space and satellite market analysis.
The details
Renewed demand for geostationary orbit (GEO) capabilities is being driven by firms adopting multi-orbit strategies to ensure service redundancy. Simultaneously, declining bandwidth costs powered by high-throughput satellite (HTS) systems are making satellite-reliant data services more viable for broader enterprise applications. Growing defense spending further supports this growth, as satcom-enabled operational concepts become more deeply integrated into global logistics and communications.
Timeline
2024: Six commercial GEO orders were recorded.
2025: 10 commercial GEO orders were recorded.
Mid-September 2026: 14 commercial GEO orders were recorded.
2035: Global satellite services revenues are projected to reach $145 billion.
Market Landscape
The current uptick in GEO orders marks a departure from earlier years dominated by a singular focus on lower-orbit constellations. This trend follows the industry-wide pattern of reducing bandwidth costs through high-throughput systems while maintaining GEO assets for reliability.
Businesses that rely on satellite data for global operations should expect increased capacity and potentially lower bandwidth costs as the sector moves toward $46 billion in capacity market value. Evaluate current service contracts for potential cost optimizations as new HTS systems become operational.
The takeaway
Data services have emerged as the dominant growth engine for the satellite industry, with revenue expected to reach nearly $100 billion by 2035. Operators should track the evolving relationship between GEO stability and NGSO flexibility to determine which connectivity solution best meets their future latency and bandwidth requirements.
Further reading
For more on the infrastructure supporting global digital operations, see the Remote Work section.
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Would you consider switching from your current home internet provider to a satellite-based service?
