[Latest Trends in the Space Business] “Selection and Concentration” in the Small Satellite Market Demonstrated in Salt Lake City 【Small Satellite Conference 2025】
The 39th Small Satellite Conference
The 39th Small Satellite Conference was held from August 10 to 13, 2025. Mori, CSO/US CEO of our company, participated in the conference, and this article will share the information and impressions he gained there.
This year, the venue moved from Logan, Utah, to Salt Lake City, where the conference took place at a more convenient convention center. The number of participants increased further from last year, reaching an estimated 4,000 to 4,500 people. One notable feature was that the venue, which had previously been spread across university campus gymnasiums and lecture halls, was consolidated into a single location, enabling more efficient and robust networking opportunities.
With regard to the exhibits, there was an absence of prominent rocket companies, with the emphasis instead being placed on small rockets and satellite-related displays. This emphasis aligns with the conference’s title, underscoring the significance of this field of study. This phenomenon is indicative of a broader market trend toward “selective focus.”
In addition, government officials’ participation was limited this time, with only NASA from the United States making an appearance. The number of participants related to national security decreased further compared to last year, which may be due to the shift in satellite demand toward larger and higher-performance satellites or restrictions on U.S. government officials’ participation in the event. On the other hand, participation from Japan increased, with the Japan booth being expanded, indicating a growing international presence.
Changes in Areas of Focus and Future Prospects
One of the highlights of this year’s conference was the changing position of the optical communications field. The previous year was marked by a significant influx of new participants, resulting in a substantial increase in the number of exhibitors to nearly 10 companies, thereby generating a considerable degree of enthusiasm. However, this year, the level of excitement has decreased to a certain extent. Despite the absence of a remarkable expansion, the perception was that optical communications technology was progressively consolidating its position within the industry. It can be posited that a transition period from “quantity to quality” has been initiated.
There were also changes in the context of international cooperation. The international cooperation framework led by Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has somewhat diminished in prominence, and there is a growing tendency for countries to prioritize their own technologies. In multiple fields, including optical communications, a “domestic orientation” is becoming increasingly evident, suggesting that international collaboration is entering a new phase.
In the science sector, due to budget cuts, the level of excitement did not reach last year’s level. Additionally, despite the persistent budgetary uncertainties in the Earth observation satellite sector, the field continues to be a subject of interest due to its high social significance.
Overall, as the foundation for the small satellite market continues to take shape, differences in growth rates and directions across sectors have begun to emerge. While small rockets and satellite technology continue to garner significant attention, fields such as optical communications and international cooperation are transitioning into “the next phase of development.”
(Writer: Natsumi Kawaguchi)
