Where are LEO Satellite Technologies heading in the New Space Era ? Tracing technological trajectories and identifying development hotspots

Joana Maria Gomez de Almeida Ortigão Delgado

Key information

Authors:

Joana Maria Gomez de Almeida Ortigão Delgado (Joana Maria Gomez de Almeida Ortigão Delgado)

Supervisors:

Elsa Maria Pires Henriques (Elsa Maria Pires Henriques); António Pedro Dias Alves de Campos (António Pedro Dias Alves de Campos)

Published in

December 5, 2025

Abstract

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites have become pillars of communication, navigation, and earth observation systems, driving innovations that sustain the global economy and connectivity. This thesis analyses how different technological subdomains of LEO satellites evolve over time, revealing emerging trends, and identifies new countries as technological hubs. Although the analysis also highlights the global expansion of inventive activity, with new countries emerging as technological hubs, the geopolitical dimension appears only as a context for understanding this phenomenon. The methodology involves a dataset consisting of patents related to LEO satellite technologies. The research is conducted in four phases: data collection and preprocessing, preliminary analysis, identification of the LEO inventive hub, and examination of technological trajectories. During the preliminary analysis, the data is extracted, preprocessed, categorised, and analysed by country and technological sub-domains. Subsequently, the Genetic Backward-Forward Path (GBFP) method is employed to trace technology trajectories across these sub-domains. The results indicate that LEO satellites have evolved in areas such as 5G-compatible network management, the transition from radio frequency to optical communications, and the improvement of satellite-based services. Parallel trends include the coordinated control of orbital assets and the mitigation of space debris, reflecting a growing concern for sustainability in space. These technologies solve the spectrum management issues, the threat of orbital debris, and the evolving technology necessary for sustainable and profitable space services. To have a safe orbit and avoid collisions, it will be essential to have these kinds of technologies.