Geopolitical Shifts and AI Reshape Earth Observation Market
Rising Demand under Global Tensions
Paris, France (October 2025) — Novaspace’s 18th edition of the Earth Observation Data and Services Market report highlights a major transformation in the sector. Geopolitical instability and the growing adoption of artificial intelligence are driving the need for defense-grade Earth observation (EO) capabilities.
Sovereign control and precision intelligence have become paramount as clients seek unrestricted access to high-resolution imagery and rapid revisit capabilities, redefining how commercial EO systems operate in the coming decade.
Industry Integration and Partnerships
“While the past decade saw the emergence of differentiated constellation projects, the next decade will be defined by integration and interoperability,” said Alexis Conte, Senior Manager at Novaspace. “No single company can cover every layer of the information chain, so industry is moving towards strategic vertical integration and key partnerships to close value chain gaps.”
This shift indicates that collaboration and system interoperability will shape future competition, allowing providers to address data and analysis needs more efficiently.
Market Growth and Data Trends
In the past year, rising geopolitical pressures have led nations to invest in sovereign observation programs, boosting demand for commercial EO data. As a result, the EO data market reached 2.2 billion dollars in 2024, maintaining an average annual growth rate of 7% since 2019, with defense uses accounting for more than 65% of total demand.
In parallel, the EO Value-Added Services (VAS) sector achieved 3.2 billion dollars in value, matching the same growth pace, and is forecast to reach 5 billion dollars by 2034.
Author Summary
The fusion of geopolitical shifts and AI is accelerating the global EO industry toward integrated, defense-driven ecosystems where sovereignty and precision define competitiveness.