Forecast International.

In a new study, "Commercial Communications Satellites, 2007-2016," Forecast International is projecting deliveries of approximately 218 commercial communications satellites destined for geostationary or medium-Earth orbit worth $26 billion during the next 10 years. The low-Earth-orbiting (LEO) market, comprising satellites primarily for the provision of mobile communications, will see production of 69 spacecraft worth about $927 million. Most of the LEO spacecraft production forecast is attributable to the solidification of fleet replacement plans for ORBCOMM and Globolstar. "The global satellite communications industry strengthened last year, with fixed-satellite services showing continued growth in North America and Europe and signs of a rebound in Asia and South America, said John Edwards, Forecast International Space Systems Editor. To meet the demand, 27 geostationary commercial communications satellites were ordered in 2006, up from 19 in 2005. The market share for the US satellite manufacturing sector has eroded by about 30 percent over the last three years. In 2004, 75 percent of all the commercial communications satellites ordered globally went to three US companies, while just three satellite orders went to non-US manufacturers. In 2005, 63 percent went to US manufacturers and the remaining went to companies outside the US, including one to China. In 2006 just 40 percent went to US manufacturers. The remaining went to manufacturers outside the US, including one order to China. The most notable story coming out of the United States in the commercial satellite manufacturing sector is the continued rise of Space Systems/Loral. For the third consecutive year, SS/Loral posted solid additions to its order book, besting results from the two previous years. Consumer confidence in the unit is strong since its emergence from the ashes of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by its parent company, Loral Space & Communications. The six orders placed with SS/Loral in 2006 represent 54 percent of the US market share.