Today’s space economy is no longer dominated by launching rockets or building satellites. Increasingly, its real value lies in what those satellites can see and track.
Every day, thousands of satellites orbiting Earth capture huge amounts of imagery and sensor readings. For decades, this information was mostly used by governments, but today startups are turning satellite data into profitable businesses by selling data for use in agriculture, climate resilience, weather forecasting, and even finance.
This article looks at how to monetize satellite data, the most common satellite data business models, real-world case studies, and the future potential of earth observation analytics.
Why Satellite Data Is a Business Opportunity
Satellite images can capture high-resolution data on land use, vegetation, weather patterns, water cycles, urban development and more. This access and wide range of applications makes commercial satellite data a valuable commodity for industries that rely on accurate, timely insights. And it’s a major part of why business opportunities in space are booming.
Two big shifts are driving demand:
Cheaper access to space: The rise of reusable rockets and small satellite constellations has drastically reduced launch costs.
Advances in cloud computing and AI: It is now possible to process massive datasets in real time, allowing businesses to quickly turn raw data into actionable insights.
As Jean-Marc Astorg, Strategy Director for the French national space agency CNES, explained during a session at VivaTech 2025 focused on emerging space markets: “Space is strategic. In this dangerous world, we need satellites to observe, communicate, and listen.” This mindset is reflected in the numbers too. According to market research, the global satellite data services market size is projected to reach 0 billion by 2030, creating massive opportunities for space data startups.
Startup Approaches to Monetization
Startups are experimenting with a variety of satellite data business models, but two dominant the current market:
1. Subscription Models and Data-as-a-Service (DaaS)
Some startups sell access to raw or processed satellite datasets on a subscription basis. Companies pay monthly or annually to tap into streams of Earth imagery, radar readings, or weather data. This satellite-as-a-service model provides predictable recurring revenue for startups while giving customers flexible access to satellite data.
2. Value-Added Analytics Platforms
Other companies go one step further, building software platforms that provide decision-ready insights rather than raw data. For example, instead of just selling images of farmland, a startup might sell “crop health scores” or “yield forecasts.” These analytics make it easier for non-experts to use and understand earth observation data.
The most successful space data startups often combine both models, offering subscription access to data while also layering premium insights and reports on top.
Industry Case Studies
The best way to understand how startups are monetizing satellite data is to see it in action. Three of the top industries for satellite data usage are:
Agriculture: Crop Monitoring and Yield Prediction
Farming is one of the largest markets for satellite data applications in business. Startups such as Planet Labs and EarthDaily use earth observation analytics to track soil moisture, crop health, and pest outbreaks. By providing early warnings, they help farmers optimize irrigation, fertilizer use, and harvest timing.
In 2025, Israeli startup CropX partnered with NASA Harvest (NASA’s Food Security and Agriculture Program) to provide soil analytics for NASA Harvest’s global agricultural monitoring efforts. CropX integrates satellite imagery with sensors in the ground to provide forecasts that can reduce waste and increase profits. This partnership is one example of how legacy space players are collaborating more with startups instead of creating all their technology in house.
Climate Tech: Tracking Environmental Impact
Climate-focused startups use commercial satellite data to measure deforestation, carbon emissions, and air quality. This helps governments and private companies meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
Carbon markets company Pachama uses satellite imagery and AI to verify forest carbon credits and ensure companies are funding legitimate conservation projects. Access to accurate carbon tracking builds trust in the carbon market and has helped secure billions in climate financing.
Weather Forecasting: Precision Risk Management
Airlines, construction firms, film productions and a host of other industries depend on precise weather data to run their businesses every day. Startups like American weather technology company Tomorrow.io combine satellite readings with ground sensors and AI to deliver hyper-local forecasts and climate analysis.
These case studies show the wide range of satellite data applications in business and just how reliant industries are on this information today.
The Future Potential of Earth Observation
Agriculture, climate, and weather are currently leading users of satellite data, but the next wave of growth requires bringing earth observation analytics into new industries.
Expanding into Finance, Insurance, and Logistics
Finance: Startups such as Privateer provide investment funds with satellite imagery to track asset activity and economic signals including port traffic analysis, construction site monitoring and real estate portfolio validation.
Insurance: Satellite imagery helps insurance companies check property conditions after natural disasters. Austin, Texas-based startup SkyFi provides data and advanced analytics to help insurers assess risk, prevent losses, and manage claims more efficiently.
Logistics: Supply chains can be severely disrupted by severe weather, and satellite data can help logistics firms plan, adjust schedules and shipping routes, and ensure products aren’t damaged.
Other industries increasingly adopting Earth observation analytics include real estate, mining, and disaster management.
The Role of AI and Machine Learning
Raw satellite feeds are massive – sometimes terabytes of digital data per day. To make sense of it all, startups lean heavily on AI and machine learning. Algorithms are used to detect anomalies in crop growth, map flood risks, or even predict urban expansion. These AI tools are essential for ensuring satellite data can be sold commercially, because they turn raw data into insights customers can easily use.
Challenges Ahead: Regulation, Privacy, and Accessibility
There are three major challenges for startups in the business of satellite data:
Privacy: High-resolution images raise significant concerns about surveillance and data misuse.
Regulation: Different countries restrict the sale of certain imagery, and varied regulations (or a lack of standard rules) can make running a global data business complicated.
Accessibility: Many industries still lack the expertise needed to integrate satellite data applications into their business workflows.
Startups that are able overcome these challenges by offering transparent, ethical, and easy-to-use solutions are likely to gain a competitive edge.
The growing market for space data startups proves that satellite data is no longer just for scientists and governments. As satellite data is increasingly recognized as a must-have business asset, monetizing satellite data is becoming more possible and profitable.
Want to learn more about the rise in space-based startups? Read this next: How Startups & Investors Are Growing the Space Economy
