SIA… A Positive Orbit For Satellite Industry Revenues

[SatNews] The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) has released its 2010 State of the Satellite Industry Report, showing an 11 percent growth from 2008 to 2009 in overall world satellite industry revenues. Global revenues for the satellite industry totaled $160.9 billion in 2009, resulting in an average an annual industry growth rate of 11.7 percent from 2004 through 2009.

“This report reinforces the satellite industry’s resilience, despite the global economic downturn. Each of the four key satellite industry sectors posted strong growth in 2009,”noted Patricia Cooper, President of SIA. “SIA is very encouraged by these results, but will continue to monitor the long term effect that changes in the global economic situation, trade barriers and government procurement may have on U.S. firms. SIA and its members remain committed to working with policymakers, customers and suppliers in the commercial and government sectors to ensure the future of a healthy satellite industry and the critical services it supplies.”

SIA commissioned the Futron Corporation to conduct its 13th annual State of the Satellite Industry Report. Futron polled more than 70 satellite companies, both SIA members and non-members, to determine aggregate revenues in each of the satellite industry’s sectors: satellite services, satellite manufacturing, launch industry, and ground equipment. In 2009, satellite manufacturing and launch services were the two fastest-growing satellite industry segments worldwide, followed by the satellite services sector, which continues to demonstrate increased growth as the main demand driver. The report shows that:

• Satellite Services revenues maintained a steady growth of 11 percent globally, with satellite television leading this sector, amounting to a total of $71.8 billion in 2009
• Satellite Manufacturing revenues worldwide showed robust growth of 29 percent, from $10.5 billion in 2008 to $13.5 billion in 2009, as larger and higher-value new spacecraft were launched
• Satellite Launch Industry revenues increased by 18 percent in 2009, with United States launch revenues growing from $1.1 billion to $1.9 billion
• Satellite Ground Equipment revenues grew by 8 percent, to $49.9 billion, led by consumer-oriented products such as satellite TV and broadband, mobile satellite, and GPS devices
• U.S. Satellite Industry Employment, as of 3Q 2009, was down 5.5 percent from 4Q 2008, with losses seen in all four sectors. Fourth quarter results for 2009 will be released in August 2010

Peggy Slye, Futron’s Chief Operating Officer, noted that the SIA State of the Satellite Industry Report is a valuable tool for the industry as it “provides a critical benchmark for industry executives, financial analysts, and corporate strategic planners.”