Space Market Intelligence Landscape (2026)

As of January 2026, the space market intelligence sector remains a critical component of the global space economy. The landscape is defined by a mix of strategic consultancies, data-driven media platforms, and specialized European firms that compete with or complement the industry benchmark, Novaspace.

The following analysis categorizes these operational entities into Specialized Space Consultants, Media & Intelligence Hybrid Firms, and European Strategic Analysts.

Specialized Space Industry Consultants

These firms focus exclusively or primarily on the space and aerospace sectors, offering deep industry connections and proprietary databases.

1. Novaspace

• Focus: The dominant strategic consultancy formed from the merger of Euroconsult and SpaceTec Partners. They combine Euroconsult’s 40-year legacy in market intelligence with SpaceTec’s management consulting expertise.
• Output: In 2026, they are the primary source for “Executive Summits” and high-level strategic reports covering the entire value chain, from manufacturing to downstream applications.

2. BryceTech

• Focus: A premier provider of data to government agencies (notably NASA) and the commercial sector.
• Output: Known for rigorous data analysis on launch logs, orbital debris, and the startup ecosystem. Their reporting often underpins official U.S. government status updates on the space economy.

3. Quilty Space (formerly Quilty Analytics)

• Focus: Bridging the gap between the space industry and financial markets.
• Output: As of January 2026, Quilty Space provides high-frequency financial “Takeaways” and sector reviews. Their intelligence is essential for investors focusing on the fiscal viability of constellations, mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

4. Analysys Mason (incorporating NSR)

• Focus: Satellite communications (SATCOM), earth observation (EO), and ground segment infrastructure.
• Output: Leveraging the expertise of Northern Sky Research (NSR), their 2026 analysis emphasizes the technical and economic transition of ground segments to the cloud and the commoditization of bandwidth.

5. Forecast International

• Focus: Aerospace, defense, and power systems.
• Output: They provide granular 10-year forecasts for launch vehicles and military satellites, with a heavy emphasis on defense requirements and long-range manufacturing trends.

6. Slingshot Aerospace (provider of Seradata)

• Focus: Launch and satellite databases and orbital safety.
• Output: Through their Seradata product (formerly SpaceTrak), they maintain the authoritative database on satellite and launch history, serving the insurance and risk management sectors.

Media & Intelligence Hybrid Firms

These entities leverage their position as news organizations to produce high-value market data and intelligence products.

7. Payload

• Focus: Modern, digital-first space media and market intelligence.
• Output: Through Payload Research, they provide highly visual, data-driven reports on specific verticals (e.g., “The State of Smallsats 2026”) and daily insights that track government contracts and private funding rounds with high granularity.

8. Space Foundation

• Focus: A global non-profit advocate for the space industry.
• Output: They publish The Space Report, widely considered the authoritative source for global space economy revenue figures (the “$600B+ economy” citations often originate here). Their data covers workforce, infrastructure, and budget analysis.

Additional European Strategic Analysts

Beyond Novaspace, Europe hosts several premier firms providing economic and policy intelligence.

9. London Economics (Space Team)

• Focus: Economic analysis, policy evaluation, and value-for-money assessments.
• Output: Based in the UK, they are frequently commissioned by agencies like the UK Space Agency and ESA. In Jan 2026, they released “Top Trends in Space 2026,” focusing on the economic impact of LEO mega-constellations and downstream services.

10. PwC Space Practice (France/Global)

• Focus: Corporate strategy, socio-economic impact studies, and digital transformation.
• Output: The “PwC Insights from Space” team produces detailed assessments on the socio-economic benefits of space programs (Copernicus/Galileo) and advises on large-scale public/private investments.

11. ESPI (European Space Policy Institute)

• Focus: Space policy, regulations, and long-term strategy.
• Output: While a think tank rather than a commercial consultancy, their “ESPI Insights” and “Europe in Space” reports are essential reading for understanding the European institutional market and regulatory direction.

Comparative Overview of Operational Firms (January 2026)