Top Space Tech Trends to Look Out For in 2021

The space industry is growing. It is using technologies like 5g, advanced satellite systems, 3D printing, big data, and quantum technology to bring reformations in its activities and operations in space.

Implementing advanced space technology is critical since several services like weather forecasts, remote sensing, satellite television, and long-distance communication rely on space infrastructure. Technological innovations are now driving space activities and research.

Analytics Insight explores the alternative possibilities created by artificial technology in the space industry and the latest trends driven by innovation.

Popularizing small satellites 

Small satellites have become increasingly popular in recent years. Space tech companies develop small satellites to enable scientists to conduct research and missions that large satellites struggle with.

Miniaturized satellites encourage mass production by the companies and also enable cost-effectively designs. Several companies like Planet, Hawkeye, BlackSky, and Swarm have successfully launched small satellites.

Enhancing Advanced Communications

Traditionally, space communications relied heavily on a transmitter and a receiver. Recent technological developments in space communication have gone beyond receivers and transmitters to provide advanced communication like high-capacity antennae, ground stations, and low-orbit satellites (LEO).

Several companies like Thorium Space Technologies and Arctic Space Technologies are developing ground-breaking innovations to facilitate advanced space communication.

Monitoring space data with technology

On a daily basis, many LEO satellites and multi-satellite constellations are collecting an enormous amount of data. It involves communication data, imaging content, and even spy information.

Owing to the critical aspects of space data, space tech companies are put under pressure to process, treat, analyze, and manage them in the right way using disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data. The space data is used as leverage to unravel more opportunities.

For example, LeoLabs, a US-based start-up leverages data services for precision tracking and monitoring of satellites using their orbital products and phased-array radars.

New initiatives to clean space junk

After years of sending endless rockets and carriers into space, humankind is finally realizing the congestion it has caused. For half a century, space organizations have been leaving out rocket stages, stray bolts and paint chips, solid-rocket-motor slag, dead or dying satellites, and scattered fragments from antisatellite tests in outer space.

Fortunately, we have finally realized that the useless floating objects could cause major disasters to functioning satellites or moving rockets. Therefore, space tech companies are making new efforts to clean the space junk. A space mission called 'ELSA-d' was unleashed to work on capturing space junk that is spread across the entity in millions of pieces.

The beginning of the 'reusable rocket' era

Rockets are expensive. Starting from its raw materials to the paints used, everything is costly. Unfortunately, despite spending millions on a rocket, it can only be used once. This has been the biggest downside for space organizations. But ever since commercial companies were approved to try their hand innovation in space tech, fate has changed.

Today, the front running space tech companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, are unraveling reusable rocket that saves cost and efforts. SpaceX's Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed for payload delivery and manned flight. Blue Origin has also launched the 'New Shepard rocket' a reusable rocket to the edge of space.