Shift from Artisan to Mass Production in the Satellite Industry
The satellite industry is evolving from artisan to mass production, with companies like OneWeb and SpaceX leading the way since 2018, particularly in Seattle. By 2025, over 3,000 Starlink satellites were produced, drastically reducing costs and making LEO satellite communications economically viable, despite ongoing challenges from innovations in the commercial sector. Meanwhile, government and military funding for GEO spacecraft suggests that traditional satellite manufacturers may continue to thrive.
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The satellite industry is transitioning from artisan production to mass production, mirroring the automotive sector's evolution. Since 2018, companies like OneWeb and SpaceX have shifted to mass-producing satellites, with Seattle emerging as a hub for this new era.
In 2025, Amazon and SpaceX's factories produced over 3,000 Starlink satellites, significantly eclipsing traditional GEO satellite orders, which were limited to about two dozen. The costs have dropped drastically, with estimates for SpaceX's Starlink v2 minis around $1.3 million each, compared to $450 million for the Viasat-3 F2, launched in November 2025.
This shift has made LEO satellite communications economically viable. While the commercial sector faces challenges from Musk's innovations, the government and military sectors are increasing funding for new GEO spacecraft, suggesting that traditional satellite manufacturers may still thrive.
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