The satellite launch industry also had a good year, with revenues up 18% in 2009 on 46 commercially-procured launches - slightly lower compared to 49 in 2008, but with higher average revenue per launch. Government demand was the main growth driver for commercial launches, representing 55% of all commercially-procured launch revenues.
Revenues from the satellite services sector maintained steady growth of 11% globally, with satellite television leading this sector, amounting to a total of $71.8 billion in 2009. The SIA says eight million satellite pay TV subscribers were added between 2008 and 2009 - mainly in Asia - bringing the world total to over 140 million.
Transponder agreement revenues increased 7.8% from $102 billion in 2008 to $11 billion, exceeding the 6% growth posted from 2007 to 2008.
Meanwhile, mobile satellite services growth continued to be driven by data - so much so that data services revenue, which grew 13% last year, now represents three-quarters of all mobile satellite services revenues. By contrast mobile voice revenues declined 23% in 2009.
Satellite ground equipment revenues grew 8% to $49.9 billion, led by consumer-oriented products such as satellite TV and broadband, mobile satellite, and GPS devices.