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Number of Active Software-Defined Satellites in Orbit

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SOURCE RESEARCH

Software-Defined NTN: Architecting the Space Backbone of Unified Networks

Report | 2Q 2025 | AN-6045

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In 2024, the total number of active Software-Defined Satellites (SDSs) in orbit was over 300, represented mostly by Spire Global’s remote sensing network and Iridium’s communications network in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and ICEYE’s remote sensing platforms operating in Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO). This was just 3% of total active satellite deployments.

ABI Research expects strong momentum to build for SDSs, spearheaded by Amazon Kuiper, SpaceX, Globalstar, and Chinese operators with mega constellations. Moreover, standardization efforts will help integrate cloud and software into Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), further unifying satellite and telecom. These developments will lead to more than 10,000 SDSs in orbit by 2031, which represents 26% of total active satellite deployments.