Space-Qualified Cover Glass Market Size, Share & Trends 2031

Report Description

Space-Qualified Cover Glass Market Outlook

The Global Space-Qualified Cover Glass Market was estimated at USD 111.86 Million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 265.79 Million by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period.

Space-qualified cover glass is a type of glass that is specifically manufactured to be used in the space industry. This glass is required to meet the strict regulations of the space industry. This glass is specifically designed and manufactured for use in satellite communication systems and other space missions.

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Space-Qualified cover glass protects sensitive instruments and components from the harsh conditions of space, including temperature extremes, radiation, and its impacts. This glass is manufactured from specially formulated ceria-doped glass types, which are resistant to radiation damage, whereas some manufacturers develop the cover glass with fused silica.

The space-qualified cover glass has the same shape as the underlying solar cell. Space-Qualified cover glass is often coated with a variety of thin film coatings to maximize available light over the active spectral range of the cell and is used to block non-useful radiation, thereby reducing solar absorption and consequently cell temperature.  

Macro-economic Factors

Research and Development Activities

The Department of Space (DOS) majorly focuses on research and development. Human curiosity and space exploration have led to many new scientific discoveries and advancements. These discoveries also lead to spinoff technologies, goods, and services that directly benefit people on Earth, even if some discoveries never have any direct uses in space. 

The health, public safety, and transportation sectors have benefited from space spinoffs, such as temper foam, freeze-drying technology, scratch-resistant eyewear, and improved radial tires.

For instance, the Centre for Solar Energy Research (CSER) at Swansea University has been working on a new solar cell technology, based on thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) that is deposited directly onto ultra-thin space-qualified cover glass material.  This, in turn, increases the demand for space-qualified cover glasses that protect the space crafts from harsh conditions.

Economic Growth

Economic growth is the growth in the economy of the nation over a certain period of time. The gross domestic product (GDP) or the entire amount of goods and services produced within an economy is commonly used to measure the size of the economy. Economic growth plays a significant role in the growth of the space-qualified cover glass market. Economic growth allows the allocation of extra budget for space missions and advancement in space components.

Space has become a vital area, due to its rising significance for national security, which further contributes to the global economy. Increasing financial allocation leads to improved operational resilience that is provided by the governments to invest in space capabilities. For instance, NASA is expected to earn USD 25.4 billion in the fiscal year (FY) 2023. This is an increase of 5.6% or around USD 1.3 billion in funding as compared to 2022.  Thus, the rapid economic expansion fosters investment in space, which in turn fuels the space-qualified cover glass market

Government Regulations and Compliances

The dynamic nature of the space industry and constantly changing and evolving government regulations across the globe are major factors impacting the market. Space standards are guidelines and regulations, which defines the specifications and requirement for designing and operating spacecraft. These standards focus on the safety, reliability, and compatibility of space missions and activities. 

The manufacturers of space-qualified cover glass are required to maintain and comply with some government regulations, such as EU’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) regulations, NASA-STD-5019, and ISO 14624. For instance, ROHS and REACH have jeopardized optical glass manufacturing in the EU since 2003.

In 2014, after industry lobbying efforts, the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), the agency responsible for the enforcement of REACH in Germany, issued an official statement characterizing raw materials used in glass manufacture as intermediate substances. This strengthened rules and regulations, which impacted the space-qualified cover glass market.

Space-Qualified Cover Glass Market Dynamics

Market Driver- Rise in the Number of Space Launches

The space industry has been a powerful pitch for innovation for several businesses from big telecoms and governments and more recently from several private businesses. It plays a significant role for various purposes, including worldwide videoconferencing, rapid credit card transaction authorization, inventory tracking at remote sites, and many others.

As a result, the number of space launches is increasing to facilitate numerous innovations. These space launches led to the development of technologies, such as GPS, weather forecasting, solar cells, UV filters, and others. Similarly, space missions assist in space-based solar power utilization.

Solar energy in space is captured using solar panels that assist in increasing the availability of renewable energy and reduce reliance on other sources. The importance of space missions is increasing. Hence, several component manufacturers are focusing on producing spacecraft components, such as cover glass for spacecraft solar cells. Hence, the rise in the number of space launches is driving the space-qualified cover glass market.

Market Driver- Usage of PV Cells in Spacecrafts

Photovoltaic solar cells are the main component of spacecraft. Spacecraft operating in the inner solar system often rely on power electronics-managed photovoltaic solar panels, due to their proximity to the sun. Solar panels assist in converting sunlight into electrical power for the operation of satellites.

Solar panels produce electricity after receiving sunlight, which powers a satellite's batteries. These internal batteries provide the satellite with continuous power, even when it is not in direct sunlight, such as during an eclipse, when the Earth is covered in shadows. Spacecraft on Mars are powered by solar energy.

NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, as well as Phoenix and In Sight landers use power from solar panels. This cover glass reduces the strength of harmful radiation or absorbs it entirely without being harmed, functioning as a transparent filter for the beneficial radiation in the visible and near-infrared range. It also prevents solar cell damage from ultraviolet, electron, and proton irradiation. As a result, the usage of PV cells in spacecrafts raises the need for space-qualified cover glass.

Market Driver - Increased Private Sector Investment

Venture capital (VC) firms and private equity (PE) firms have been investing in the space sector, and several private companies are entering the market to provide space-related products and services. The first private commercial-owned spacecraft was launched in 2020. The Space Foundation reported that 186 launches were attempted in 2022, an increase of 145 since 2021. Of those, 81 were commercial launches, 50 of which were carried out by SpaceX.

Additionally, these private businesses are branching out into new markets, such as satellite-based services. This rise in investment activities makes it possible for the development of innovative spacecraft components, such as space-qualified cover glass that meet the harsh conditions of space. In recent years, many researchers have focused on the development of innovative technologies that are used in space-qualified cover glass. This, in turn, boosts the demand for space-qualified cover glass.

Market Restraints- High Price of Space-qualified Cover Glass

Spacecrafts rely heavily on the usage of photovoltaic solar cells. However, the radiation in space deteriorates these cells with time, decreasing their effectiveness. Space-qualified cover glass that reduce damage while retaining excellent levels of light transmission in the visible and near-infrared spectrums are often employed.

Glass treated with anti-reflective treatments raises transmission levels. Cost of space-qualified cover glass is high. It is often manufactured using ultra-thin cerium-doped glass or cadmium telluride. Price of these raw materials is quite high, which increases the price of the product.

Similarly, these materials are made up of rare metals, which further adds to the scarcity of material required for manufacturing space-qualified cover glass. The scarcity adds to the rising prices of raw materials, which have an impact on the overall product pricing. As a result, high price of space-qualified cover glass hinders the growth of the space-qualified cover glass market.

Market Opportunity- Research and Development in Space-qualified Cover Glass

Launch of satellites, collision of existing spacecraft, and the abandoning of old satellites cause space debris and orbital congestion or add to the growing number of satellites and trash in Earth's orbit. This indicates a deviation in the inclusion of radiation, temperature extremes, and its effects.

Space-qualified cover glass shields spacecraft from radiation, temperature extremes, and other hazards, hence, its significance is growing in spacecraft. Many researchers are focusing on research and development activities that enhance the ability or efficiency of space-qualified cover glass.

For instance, in Solar Cells On Moon project by NASA fabrication of cover glass for the solar cells, needed for protection from the Moon’s harsh environment is done by the team. Similarly, Centre for Solar Energy Research (CSER) is working on a solar cell technology, based on thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe), deposited directly onto ultra-thin space-qualified cover glass material. These developments are expected to create several opportunities for the growth of the market in the forecast period.

Scope of Space-Qualified Cover Glass Market Report          

The report on the global Space-Qualified Cover Glass Market includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.

Space-Qualified Cover Glass Market Segmental Outlook

Based on by type, the global space-qualified cover glass market is categorized into CMX, CMG, and CMO.

The CMX segment is anticipated to expand exponentially during the forecast period. The market for CMX space-qualified cover glasses segment is expected to remain strong in glass covering, due to its cost effectiveness, reliability, and withstand radiations without degrading or losing its optical clarity. Moreover, CMX cover glass offered by manufacturers are mostly readily available type of space-qualified cover glasses, which boost this segment.

The CMG segment held significant market share in 2022. CMG glasses are used in variety of space application such as satellite optics, spacecraft windows, and scientific instruments. These cover glasses play crucial role ensuring the performance and longevity of optical systems in space research applications. Therefore, the CMG segment is anticipated to expand in substantially during the forecast period.

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Based on by application, the global space-qualified cover glass market is categorized into Solar Panel, Optical Systems, Sensors, Others.

The optical system segment held 28.5% market share in 2022. Extensive demand for data usage and satellite constellations in the market is attributed to the increasing demand for fast, efficient, reliable, and real-time tracking and monitoring systems for space observation. These factors propel the demand for various optical systems, such as laser optics and imaging & sensing systems. All these optical systems require a protective cover glass for protection from external hazards, which further boosts the demand for space-qualified cover glass.

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Regional Outlook

Based on regions, the market is separated into five regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The market in North America held a significant share of the market during the forecast period.

The market in North America is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period. Use of satellites in the military has been growing significantly in recent years, due to their advantages, including increased signal strength, communication, and data transfer. This factor boosts the manufacture of satellites and other scientific instruments used in the space industry. These satellites utilize the cover glass made from cerium for protection from debris and other space environment hazards. Therefore, increasing production and launches of satellites propels the demand for cover glass in this region.

The market in Asia Pacific is projected to expand exponentially during the forecast period. The space exploration and development industry in Asia Pacific has changed substantially with the introduction of private firms into the satellite manufacturing business. Therefore, the increasing investment in the space sector from private investors is expected to drive the market in the coming years.

Furthermore, developing economies such as India and Japan are focusing on the capacity rise of satellite manufacturing, due to the increasing reliance on space assets of various industrial sectors. Over the years, the satellite industry in India has grown tremendously with the launch of several satellites.

The Indian Department of Space (DOS) is inclined to push growth in the space economy. Therefore, ISRO has made several reforms and has opened the space industry for private players. All these factors create growth opportunities in the space-qualified cover glass market in this region.

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Key Benefits for Industry Participants & Stakeholders

• In-depth Analysis of the Global Space-Qualified Cover Glass Market

• Historical, Current and Projected Market Size in terms of Value

• Potential & Niche Segments and Regions Exhibiting Promising Growth Covered

• Industry Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities Covered in the Study

• Recent Industry Trends and Developments

• Competitive Landscape & Strategies of Key Players

• Neutral Perspective on Global Space-Qualified Cover Glass Market Performance