Juniper Research projects $10 billion global VLEO satellite investment by 2031

Juniper Research forecasts that worldwide investment in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite constellations will reach about $10 billion by 2031, up from $5.2 billion in 2026 – roughly a 100 % increase over five years. The growth is driven mainly by demand for higher‑resolution Earth‑observation data and lower‑latency communications, enabled by cheaper launch costs, advances in onboard processing, materials science and electric propulsion.

The report warns that the rapid expansion will intensify congestion in lower‑altitude orbits. IEEE senior member Paul Kostek said, “The huge surge in the construction of satellite constellations is presenting serious logistical challenges…Space Traffic Management and debris‑removal solutions will be essential.” Technical hurdles such as atmospheric drag, atomic‑oxygen erosion and the need for aerodynamic designs and continuous propulsion systems must also be addressed for long‑term commercial viability.