Earth intelligence: Billion-dollar market for AI & satellite data

Gartner Forecast Earth Intelligence: Billion-Dollar Market for AI and Satellite Data

2025-09-01 From Berk Kutsal | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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Earth intelligence is rapidly gaining importance, according to market research firm Gartner. For the first time, companies have invested more in AI-based analysis of Earth observation data than governments. New technologies and affordable satellites have created a billion-dollar market offering diverse opportunities for tech providers.

Companies are investing more in AI-based Earth intelligence than governments for the first time. Gartner sees a billion-dollar market with new opportunities for tech providers.(Image: AI-generated) — Companies are investing more in AI-based Earth intelligence than governments for the first time. Gartner sees a billion-dollar market with new opportunities for tech providers.
(Image: AI-generated)

Earth intelligence refers to the targeted use of artificial intelligence on Earth observation data. The focus is on satellite-supported information, supplemented by sensors and drones.

According to Gartner, the market includes all technologies that collect, transform, and analyze raw data for specific industry applications. The direct revenue potential is estimated at nearly 20 billion US dollars by 2030.

For 2025, Gartner reports annual revenues of nearly $3.8 billion, which are expected to rise to over $4.2 billion by 2030. Analyst Bill Ray refers to "oceans of raw data" that enable new insights. Examples range from detecting fallen trees to monitoring refinery temperatures to counting vehicles and ships.

Companies push to the top

Until now, government agencies and the military dominated the analysis of satellite data. This is now shifting significantly. Gartner predicts that by 2030, companies will spend more on Earth intelligence than government agencies and the military combined.

According to Gartner, the private sector's share will rise from less than 15 percent (2024) to over 50 percent (2030). The focus is not only on raw data but also on ready-to-use analyses, software, and AI models that companies without their own analytical capacities can use. Gartner foresees new markets emerging for data, models, and tools.

According to Ray, the speed at which providers generate usable solutions from data volumes will be decisive in the future.

New satellites, new insights

Technologically, the market is driven by affordable Very-Low-Earth-Orbit (VLEO) satellites, which enable a resolution of up to 10 centimeters. This allows even small details, such as animals, to be detected. Radar and hyperspectral technology reveal what was previously hidden.

Short orbital periods allow for nearly hourly data collection. Combined with ground and drone data, the raw material is rapidly increasing. AI and data engineering are central to this: Only precise preparation and industry-specific models enable practical applications.

Gartner emphasizes that the market has long surpassed the pioneering phase and that new use cases are being developed daily.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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