Space Carbon Fiber Composite Market Overview

The space carbon fiber composite market was valued at $393.6 million in 2022 and is projected to reach $1,679.7 million by 2033. The space carbon fiber composite market is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for small satellites with a lightweight profile for communication and Earth observation applications, the growing commercial space sector, and the development of reusable launch vehicles. Additionally, advancements in manufacturing technologies and materials are also key factors that are expected to drive market growth.

Market Lifecycle Stage

The space carbon fiber composite market has gained significant importance over the years. The space carbon fiber composite market is currently in the growth stage, as there is an increasing demand for lightweight, high-strength materials in the space industry. Carbon fiber composites have emerged as a viable alternative to traditional materials due to their superior strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to fatigue and corrosion. Moreover, the development of advanced manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement (AFP) and additive manufacturing has enabled the production of complex geometries for space applications while reducing production time and costs. In addition, there is an increasing focus on developing carbon fiber composites with high thermal and radiation resistance, which are crucial for deep space exploration missions.

Impact

The space carbon fiber composite market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by various factors such as the development of low Earth orbit satellite constellations, reusable small sat launchers, and multiple interplanetary and deep space missions. However, the high cost of carbon fiber composites and the challenges associated with their manufacturing processes, such as quality control and the need for specialized equipment and specific expertise, pose significant challenges to market growth. The development of new, cost-effective manufacturing technologies and the increasing adoption of carbon fiber composites in various space-based applications are expected to mitigate these challenges and support market growth in the long term.

Market Segmentation

Segmentation 1: by Application

  • Satellites
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Deep Space Exploration



Segmentation 2: by End User

  • Commercial
  • Defense



Segmentation 3: by Manufacturing Process

  • Automated Fiber Placement (ATL/AFP)
  • Compression Molding
  • Additive Manufacturing



Segmentation 4: by Raw Material

  • Pitch-Based
  • PAN-Based



The PAN-based raw material segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period from 2023 to 2033. The factor contributing to this growth is the increasing demand for cost-effective carbon fiber composites, which provide immense strong physical properties.

Segmentation 5: by Tensile Modulus

  • High-Modulus
  • Ultrahigh Modulus



The high-modulus segment is expected to lead the global space carbon fiber composite market in terms of tensile modulus. This growth is attributed to the excellent stiffness and high strength-to-weight ratio of high modulus carbon fiber composites.

Segmentation 6: by Region

  • North America - U.S. and Canada
  • Europe - France, Germany, Russia, U.K., and Rest-of-Europe
  • Asia-Pacific - Japan, India, and Rest-of-Asia-Pacific
  • Rest-of-the-World - U.A.E. and Brazil



In terms of region, North America is estimated to lead the market throughout the forecast period from 2023 to 2033. The factor attributing to the growth of this region is the presence of highly specialized key companies engaged in developing and providing advanced composites for space applications.

Recent Developments in the Space Carbon Fiber Composite Market

  • In October 2022, Beyond Gravity received the contract to supply 38 payload fairings for ULA’s Vulcan rockets, which will be used to launch the satellites of Amazon’s project Kuiper.
  • In October 2022, Beyond Gravity and HyPrSpace formed a partnership for the development of the orbital micro-launcher OB-1, with the structural composite parts of the rocket based on innovative flexline technology.
  • In July 2022, Boston Materials and Textron Systems announced a partnership to jointly develop an enhanced thermal protection system (TPS) based on the Z-axis fiber technology to be deployed in hypersonic vehicles and reusable launch vehicles.
  • In March 2022, Beyond Gravity and Amazon announced a partnership to develop and manufacture customized satellite dispenser systems for Project Kuiper. The project aims to establish a low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation comprising 3,236 satellites.



Demand - Drivers and Limitations

The following are the drivers for the space carbon fiber composite market:

  • Increase in the Demand for Satellites
  • Growing Number of Deep Space Exploration Programs
  • Increase in the Utilization of Carbon Fiber Composite in Small Launch Vehicles



The following are the challenges for the space carbon fiber composite market:

  • High Production Costs
  • Utilization of Alternate Materials



How can this report add value to an organization?

Platform/Innovation Strategy: The product section will help the reader understand the various ongoing and upcoming developments in the space carbon fiber composite market. It will also help the readers understand the global potential of different solution markets. The players operating in this market are developing advanced composite material profiles and are deeply engaged in long-term partnerships and collaborations with commercial and government agencies. Moreover, the study also examines the investment scenario in the research and development of the space carbon fiber composite market.

Growth/Marketing Strategy: The space carbon fiber composite market has seen major development activities by key players operating in the market, such as business expansion activities, contracts, mergers, partnerships, and collaborations. The most favored strategy for the companies has been contracts to strengthen their positions in the space carbon fiber composite market. For instance, in October 2022, Beyond Gravity received the contract to supply 38 payload fairings for ULA’s Vulcan rockets, which will be used to launch the satellites of Amazon’s project Kuiper. Notably, Beyond Gravity and Amazon also announced a partnership to develop and manufacture customized satellite dispenser systems for Project Kuiper.

Competitive Strategy: The study has analyzed and profiled the space carbon fiber composite manufacturers, startups, and emerging players in advanced composite manufacturing in the global space carbon fiber composite market. These companies capture the maximum share in the global space carbon fiber composite market. Moreover, a detailed competitive benchmarking of the companies and organizations operating in the space carbon fiber composite market has been carried out, which will help the reader to understand how players are performing, exhibiting a clear market landscape. In addition to this, comprehensive competitive strategies such as partnerships, agreements, and collaborations will aid the reader in understanding the untapped revenue pockets in the market.

Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis

The companies that are profiled have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts and analysis of the company’s coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration.

In 2022, the top segment players leading the market included established players, constituting 75% of the presence in the market. During the same timeframe, emerging market participants included startup entities that accounted for approximately 25% of the presence in the market.

Key Companies Profiled

  • Applied Composites
  • Airborne
  • ACPT Inc. (Advanced Composite Products and Technology)
  • Boston Materials, Inc
  • CarboSpaceTech GmbH
  • CPI AdamWorks, LLC
  • CST Composites
  • Calian Group Ltd.
  • Hexcel Corporation
  • Hanwha Cimarron
  • Oxeon AB
  • Peak Technology
  • Rockwest Composites, Inc.
  • RUAG Group
  • SGL Carbon SE
  • Teijin Limited
  • TRB
  • Toray Advanced Composites
  • SpaceX
  • Blue Origin
  • Maxar Technologies
  • ROCKET LAB USA
  • Thales Group
  • Airbus S.A.S
  • ArianeGroup
  • Boeing