Key Tech Trends in Astronautics in 2025

1. Nuclear Propulsion and Power Engineering Lockheed Martin continues to develop nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) and electric propulsion (NEP) technologies, as well as direct power reactors — all of which can significantly improve efficiency, speed up flights, and reduce fuel consumption on interplanetary routes. In addition, NTP can cut the flight time to Mars in half — to 3–4 months.

2. Quantum Communication in Space Rapid growth of spatially-oriented quantum communication: the market is expected to grow to $1.15 billion by 2025, and to $42.1 billion by 2035. Examples include the SEAQUE experiment on board SpaceX, the integration of quantum and blockchain technologies (WISeSat.Space), and developments by Adamant Quanta and the German SPACEOPTIX.

3. Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) Projects to collect solar energy in orbit and transmit it to Earth (e.g. Japan, China, ESA/Caltech) are moving from the realm of science fiction to the test pilot stage.

4. Space Debris Management and Sustainability As the number of satellites in orbit increases, debris removal and collision avoidance technologies are important – companies like Astroscale are active in this area, and significant technological advances are expected in 2025.

5. Large Satellite Constellations and AI Management Starlink, Kuiper, and OneWeb are all set to scale up their constellations in 2025 with the introduction of laser inter-satellite communications, ground stations with edge computing, and AI-powered traffic management.

6. Lunar Missions and Satellite Economics

• SPHEREx mission launched March 12, 2025, creating an infrared map of over 450 million galaxies to explore the Universe.

• ESA launches Space Rider, a reusable orbiter for scientific experiments, in 2025.

• Artemis program continues to lay the foundation for the Moon: while Artemis II and III are expected in the future, the infrastructure — Orion, Gateway, Lander — is actively developed.

• DARPA moves to orbital demonstrations of in-space manufacturing — the NOM4D program is developing the fabrication of large structures in orbit, including 100-meter antenna structures.

7. On-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing Northrop Grumman unveiled the MRV with robotic manipulators for servicing satellites in geostationary orbit — the ability to repair, refuel, and extend the life of satellites has become a reality.

8. Commercial astronautics and astro-architecture

• Axiom Mission 4 — a private manned flight to the ISS, successfully completed in July 2025.

• Commercial stations and space hotels are being developed: the Orbital Reef (Blue Origin), Voyager Station, and Axiom stations projects.

9. Orbital refueling and transport SpaceX and Blue Origin are solving the problem of refueling in space. SpaceX is experiencing overloads between Starship, and Blue Origin is creating a fuel transporter for refueling the lunar orbital module. 10. Competition and security

• Blue Origin launches a mission to Mars (ESCAPADE) in September 2025 — this is their first interplanetary mission and a challenge to SpaceX.

• Conflicts in space are increasing: from hacker captures of satellites to new anti-satellite weapons developments (Russia, USA, etc.).

• Intuitive Machines expands Houston Spaceport to develop rovers and lunar infrastructure. • India (PixxelSpace and PierSight) builds its own constellation of SAR satellites — independent of NavIC and US markets.

• Australia invests $50 million in LEO satellite with UniSQ and Optus for astronomy research.

• Toyota invests $44.4 million in Japanese company Interstellar Technologies to develop small rockets — the brand's entry into space.

• Industrial base is being prepared on the Moon: Starship, Blue Moon, fuel from lunar ice, Lunar Gateway and Artemis — will transform the Moon into an economic hub.