SpaceX IPO in Focus as Global Satellite Industry Value Estimated to Reach $447 Billion by 2027

(Central News Agency, Taipei, 8th) As global demand for satellite broadband, direct-to-cell phone services, and AI computing grows rapidly, the market is closely watching the future initial public offering (IPO) of SpaceX. Research firm TrendForce predicts that the global satellite industry's output value will reach $447 billion by 2027, with an annual growth rate of 14%.

TrendForce points out that besides continuously expanding its satellite broadband service footprint, SpaceX is actively developing emerging fields such as direct-to-cell satellite services, AI space computing, and Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP). It is also strengthening its vertical integration capabilities by expanding its own space AI computing chip factory, Terafab, pushing the low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite industry from a communication service to a new stage of computing services. As satellite networks, AI infrastructure, and space applications accelerate their integration, the global space economy is entering a new growth cycle.

TrendForce stated that after SpaceX's major acquisition of AWS-3, AWS-4, and H-Block frequency bands from EchoStar, it is expected to accelerate the deployment of direct-to-cell satellite services in emerging markets, further expanding its LEO satellite communication territory. Simultaneously, SpaceX is actively pursuing AI space computing, aiming to perform real-time analysis and computation of image data for global agricultural monitoring, maritime tracking, and environmental surveillance directly in orbit. Only the processed results will be sent back to ground networks, thereby reducing data transmission requirements and distributing the AI computing load from ground data centers.

TrendForce explained that by integrating resources like satellite communications, reusable rockets, and AI computing platforms, SpaceX is gradually building a LEO satellite ecosystem covering both ground and space, strengthening its competitive advantage in the global satellite communication and space computing markets.

In the satellite communications sector, the Starlink supply chain includes key components such as satellite antenna modules, RF front-end modules, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and beamforming ICs. Among these, SpaceX develops its own beamforming ICs, STMicroelectronics has long been a supplier of antenna RF chips, Germany's Azur Space provides solar cells for Starshield, and the UK's IQE and Filtronic supply compound semiconductor materials like Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) and Gallium Nitride (GaN).

Furthermore, through its autonomous chip design and international supply chain cooperation model, SpaceX continues to enhance satellite communication performance and deployment scale, driving market demand growth in high-frequency communications, advanced semiconductors, and aerospace components.

Regarding rocket and satellite manufacturing, TrendForce indicates that companies like ATI and Precision Castparts (PCC) provide high-temperature alloys, titanium alloys, and precision casting materials needed for the Raptor engine and Starship. Industrial gas giants such as Linde and Air Products supply cryogenic gases like liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid nitrogen (LN2) to support rocket testing, launches, and ground infrastructure operations.

Observing the AI space computing field, NVIDIA has launched its Space-1 Vera Rubin on-orbit AI computing platform. AMD is also actively positioning itself in the space-grade FPGA-XQR Kintex UltraScale FPGA and high-performance computing markets to meet future satellite autonomous computing needs. Additionally, SpaceX's subsidiary xAI is rapidly developing AI on-orbit satellites, with Samsung and TSMC initially producing small quantities of its AI space computing chips.

TrendForce believes that as SpaceX expands its satellite communication and AI space computing layouts, the Taiwanese supply chain, leveraging its high-precision manufacturing and non-Chinese supply chain advantages, is gradually entering key satellite-related components, space energy, and AI chip manufacturing sectors. Among them, ShengDa Communication supplies high-frequency microwave components and filters. Compeq, benefiting from the expanding scale of Starlink satellite deployment and rising demand for on-orbit AI computing, has not only increased its supply of high-end High-Density Interconnect (HDI) boards but is also developing high-frequency HDI boards specifically for AI computing satellites.

In terms of satellite terminal equipment, Wistron NeWeb Corp. (WNC) has entered the Starlink satellite supply chain with its antenna design and RF system integration capabilities.

TSEC and E-One Moli Energy supply solar cells and high-power lithium batteries, respectively. Taiflex and ITEQ provide high-end copper-clad laminate (CCL) materials, while TSMC is expected to continue manufacturing space AI computing chips. As satellite communication and AI computing accelerate their fusion, the importance of Taiwanese manufacturers in the global space industry supply chain has significantly increased. (Editor: Huang Kuo-lun) 1150608