The Future of Satellite Market

The satellite industry is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, moving from an era of static, government-owned infrastructure to a dynamic ecosystem dominated by private players and massive constellations. The satellite market is moving towards data-driven and service-based models, thus reshaping how value is created and captured across the value chain. In this evolving context, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are moving beyond traditional subcontracting roles and emerging as key actors capable of innovation and value creation. This workshop focuses on how SMEs position themselves along the vertical integration–outsourcing spectrum. Rather than replicating fully integrated models, they are increasingly internalizing high-value activities—such as software, payloads, edge computing, and data analytics—while relying on external partners for standardized components. This raises the question of whether such approaches can enable SMEs to act both as niche innovators and as flexible integrators within complex systems such as satellite constellations. More broadly, it also focuses on how SMEs may operate within value chains traditionally dominated by vertically integrated firms, exploring their potential role as both contributors to large-scale industrial systems and autonomous actors in increasingly scalable and innovation-driven satellite markets. The panelists will be engaged on the above question, helping to understand whether this market is sustainable for an SME and where it could concretely land, in terms of technological and managerial evolution.

Programme

Moderator
Anilkumar Dave, Aerospace Senior Advisor at ART-ER (Innovation Agency of the Emilia-Romagna Region)

First round table 
Alessandra Di Cecco, EUSPA
Marco Di Clemente, Head of Technology Developments and Space Design Office, Italian Space Agency (ASI)
Davoud Omarzadeh, Project/Research Manager Earth Observation, Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC);

Second round table
Marco Molina, Chief Strategy Officer, SITAEL
Nicolò Benini, Business Development Manager, NPC SPACEMIND
Remo Ricci, Co-founder and CEO, Celeste Technologies
Franco Boldrini, Chief Sales & BD Officer, OHB Italia
Niccolò Bellini, Founder & CCO, 2NDSpace