Planetary Defense Global Market Report 2026

Planetary defense refers to the strategies, technologies, and collaborative efforts aimed at detecting, tracking, and mitigating threats from near-Earth objects (NEOs), such as asteroids and comets, that may pose a collision risk to Earth. It involves early detection using telescopes and space-based sensors, accurate orbit calculations, risk assessments of potential impacts, and the development of techniques to deflect or neutralize hazardous objects. Planetary defense is a global initiative involving the cooperation of space agencies, governments, and scientific organizations to safeguard Earth from potentially devastating impacts.

The primary types of technologies used in planetary defense include kinetic impact, nuclear detonation, gravity tractor, laser ablation, and others. Kinetic impact refers to a method where a high-speed spacecraft is intentionally directed to collide with an asteroid or comet. These technologies are applied in areas such as asteroid detection, deflection, space missions, and more, serving various end users including governments, space agencies, research institutions, and others.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are impacting the planetary defense market by increasing costs of imported sensors, propulsion systems, spacecraft components, and high-performance computing hardware used in detection and mitigation missions. Space agencies and research institutions in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on specialized international suppliers, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressures on collaborative mission hardware. These tariffs are increasing mission budgets and extending development timelines. However, they are also encouraging domestic technology development, localized spacecraft manufacturing, and stronger national capabilities in planetary defense systems.

The planetary defense market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides planetary defense market statistics, including planetary defense industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a planetary defense market share, detailed planetary defense market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the planetary defense industry. This planetary defense market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The planetary defense market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.76 billion in 2025 to $6.31 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to discovery of near-earth objects, development of ground-based observation networks, early asteroid tracking missions, increased scientific research funding, establishment of planetary defense frameworks.

The planetary defense market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8.95 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in space surveillance infrastructure, rising international cooperation on threat mitigation, expansion of autonomous space missions, growing use of advanced simulation models, increasing emphasis on global impact risk reduction. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing deployment of space-based neo detection systems, rising use of ai-driven orbit modeling, growing investment in deflection technology research, expansion of international planetary defense collaboration, enhanced focus on early warning capabilities.

The rising number of space missions is expected to drive the growth of the planetary defense market in the coming years. Space missions are organized operations conducted beyond Earth's atmosphere for scientific research, commercial use, defense initiatives, or exploration. The increase in space missions is largely due to technological advancements, such as reusable rockets and miniaturized satellites, which have made space exploration more cost-effective, efficient, and accessible. Planetary defense plays a vital role in these missions by enhancing the capability to detect, monitor, and potentially deflect hazardous near-Earth objects (NEOs), ensuring the safety of both Earth and active spacecraft. For example, in 2024, the Space Foundation, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, reported that global space launch activity reached record levels for the third consecutive year, with 223 launch attempts and 212 successful launches. This growth was driven by a 50 percent increase in commercial launches, a 33 percent rise in U.S. launch attempts, and the deployment of over 2,800 satellites, reflecting a 23 percent increase compared to 2022. These trends highlight how the expansion of space missions is fueling the growth of the planetary defense market.

Leading companies in the planetary defense sector are prioritizing the development of advanced technologies such as planetary defense probes, which are designed to detect, monitor, and address potential threats posed by NEOs. A planetary defense probe is a specialized spacecraft intended to study or interact with hazardous asteroids or comets to prevent potential collisions with Earth. For instance, in October 2024, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., a U.S.-based space technology firm, launched the European Space Agency's Hera planetary defense probe from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Hera mission includes two cubesats, Milani and Juventas, which will conduct detailed studies of Dimorphos. These investigations will include mineralogical analysis and the first use of a subsurface radar probe on an asteroid. Hera's primary objective is to assess the impact effects on Dimorphos, including the resulting crater, momentum transfer, and internal and surface properties. These findings are intended to validate and refine the kinetic impactor method as a viable planetary defense strategy. This mission represents a significant advancement in global efforts to prevent asteroid collisions with Earth.

In August 2024, Lockheed Martin Corporation, a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer, acquired Terran Orbital for $45 million. With this acquisition, Lockheed Martin seeks to expand its satellite manufacturing capabilities, improve its position within the space industry, and enhance control over supply chains that support national security, commercial, and scientific satellite programs. Terran Orbital, based in the U.S., is an aerospace and defense firm actively engaged in planetary defense initiatives.

Major companies operating in the planetary defense market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Boeing Company, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Blue Origin LLC., Maxar Technologies Inc., OHB SE, Astroscale Holdings Inc., Rocket Lab USA Inc., Planet Labs PBC, Firefly Aerospace Inc., Redwire Corporation, Terran Orbital Corporation, State Corporation for Space Activities, Orion Space Solutions LLC., Airbus S.A.S, Thales Alenia Space S.A.S, Leonardo S.p.A, L3Harris Technologies Inc., RTX Corporation

North America was the largest region in the planetary defense market in 2025. The regions covered in the planetary defense market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the planetary defense market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The planetary defense market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as asteroid and comet detection, orbit tracking and monitoring, threat assessment and risk analysis, early warning systems, and impact modeling and simulation. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The planetary defense market also includes sales of products including space-based telescopes, ground-based radar and optical systems, asteroid detection software, orbit prediction models, and impact simulation tools. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Planetary Defense Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses planetary defense market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for planetary defense ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The planetary defense market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Technology: Kinetic Impact; Nuclear Detonation; Gravity Tractor; Laser Ablation; Other Technologies
• 2) By Application: Asteroid Detection; Asteroid Deflection; Space Missions; Other Applications
• 3) By End-User: Government; Space Agencies; Research Institutions; Other End-Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Kinetic Impact: Direct Collision Mission; High-Velocity Impact Vehicle; Interceptor Spacecraft; Autonomous Guidance Systems
• 2) By Nuclear Detonation: Surface Nuclear Blast; Subsurface Nuclear Explosion; Standoff Nuclear Detonation; Radiation Shielding Systems
• 3) By Gravity Tractor: Mass Accumulation Tractor; Station-Keeping Propulsion System; Long-Duration Trajectory Alteration; Autonomous Navigation And Control
• 4) By Laser Ablation: Space-Based Laser Platforms; Ground-Based Laser Systems; High-Energy Laser Modules; Targeting And Thermal Tracking Systems
• 5) By Other Technologies: Ion Beam Deflection; Electromagnetic Rail Systems; Solar Sails For Deflection; Artificial Intelligence-Based Threat Modeling
• Companies Mentioned: Lockheed Martin Corporation; The Boeing Company; Northrop Grumman Corporation; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.; Blue Origin LLC.; Maxar Technologies Inc.; OHB SE; Astroscale Holdings Inc.; Rocket Lab USA Inc.; Planet Labs PBC; Firefly Aerospace Inc.; Redwire Corporation; Terran Orbital Corporation; State Corporation for Space Activities; Orion Space Solutions LLC.; Airbus S.A.S; Thales Alenia Space S.A.S; Leonardo S.p.A; L3Harris Technologies Inc.; RTX Corporation
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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