Industry Reset in Paris: Strategic Insights from SDSS and WSBW 2025
- Omkar Nikam
- Sep 16
- 4 min read
With the first day of the Space Defence & Security Summit (SDSS 2025) and the second day of World Space Business Week (WSBW 2025) now concluded, a clear message emerges: the space and defense industries are moving from promise to purposeful execution. Discussions in Paris underscored not just the technologies being developed, but the shifting expectations around regulation, financing, supply chains, and end-user value.
These back-to-back gatherings, both managed by Novaspace, offered a rare dual lens into where the commercial and defense sides of space are heading. At SDSS, sovereignty, resilience, and contested space dominated, while WSBW continued its focus on commercial viability, financing, and new service models. Together, the sessions revealed an industry that is maturing fast, but also one under increasing pressure to prove its long-term relevance.
Critical Commentary & Emerging Trends
Putting together what’s happening in both forums, some trends and challenges stand out. Below are observations, implications, and what companies, governments, and investors must pay very close attention to.
Trend / Shift | What’s Changing | Implications / What to Watch |
From Hype to Execution | The industry is moving beyond talking about ambitious constellations, perfect resolution, etc., and more toward what works: business models, regulatory alignment, and resilient supply chains. | Those who have been spending on R&D without aligning with commercial feasibility or regulation might find their capital under pressure. Entrepreneurs need “go-to-market” thinking, not just orbital launches. Governments need to ensure that regulation, spectrum, licensing, and export control keep pace. |
D2D & User Ownership | Control over direct interface with end users (via D2D) is being contested. Telcos, satellite operators, spectrum holders, and downstream platforms all want some piece. | Companies that can offer integrated services (sat + ground + apps) will have a competitive edge. Pure hardware will struggle unless it’s paired with service differentiation. Regulatory/spectrum policies will heavily influence winners and losers. |
Data → Decisions | EO is a case study: data is growing exponentially, but decision velocity is lagging. Policy, insurance, agriculture, and disaster response need actionable outputs, not raw images. | Tools that do analytics, AI/ML, sector-specific dashboards, and delivery of “decision-grade” insights will be in demand. Companies that can integrate across data sources and deliver contextualized outputs will win. |
Supply Chain & Resilience | As production scales (constellations, satellites, ground gear), bottlenecks in production capacity, materials, rad-hard components, launch capacity, etc., are being exposed. Also, geopolitical risk adds another layer. | Firms need to invest in supply chain visibility, dual-sourcing, and localization. Governments may need to consider space industrial strategies such as subsidies, resilience programs, and international partnerships. |
Regulatory & Geopolitical Friction | Spectrum allocation, orbital slots, data sovereignty, export controls, and talent mobility are increasingly viewed through a security lens. | Expect more regulatory divergence, possibly “space blocs” or zones of cooperation vs. competition. Companies operating internationally will need stronger legal and regulatory teams. |
Sustainability = Business Imperative | Space debris, long-term orbital usage, environmental impact, and investor expectations around sustainability are becoming hard constraints. | Services enabling debris removal, tracking, and deorbiting will see growth. Sustainable practices will become part of financing and insurance risk assessments. Firms ignoring this shift risk being uninsurable. |
What Companies & Governments Can / Should Do
From what’s emerging, here are some strategic imperatives. If you are a company, government agency, or investment body, these are becoming necessary for long-term survival and leadership.
Align R&D and Business Planning: Technology is necessary but not sufficient. Projects, landscapes, and regulation move more slowly than innovation.
Invest in Regulatory Strategy & Spectrum Diplomacy: Engage regulators early and often; spectrum is now a geopolitical asset.
Build Resilience in the Supply Chain: Dual-sourcing, localization, and partnerships will mitigate vulnerabilities.
Focus on Integration & Data Value: Unlock value by turning raw space data into actionable insights.
Embed Sustainability From Day Zero: Anticipate regulation and investor scrutiny around debris, reusability, and environmental impact.
Prepare for Competitive Pressure & Consolidation: Financing is tightening; consolidation is inevitable.
Invest in Human Capital and Talent Mobility: Skills in systems engineering, AI, cybersecurity, and regulatory affairs will be as valuable as launch capacity.
Looking Ahead
The conversations in Paris were not just about technology showcases or corporate announcements; they were a reality check. SDSS and WSBW 2025 made it clear that the space sector is entering a new chapter: one defined not by grand promises, but by execution, accountability, and resilience.
The path forward is unambiguous. Companies must prove that their satellites, data, and services solve real-world problems, not just add to orbital clutter. Governments must strike a delicate balance between national security priorities and enabling global collaboration. Investors, meanwhile, will reward those who deliver measurable value and leave behind those clinging to hype.
The winners of tomorrow will be the players who can fuse commercial ambition with security imperatives, integrate across orbits and domains, and embed sustainability at the core of their models. Those who hesitate risk being sidelined as the industry matures.
Paris has sent the signal: the space economy is no longer about who can launch fastest, but who can endure, adapt, and lead in a contested and interconnected world.
About Author
Omkar NIKAM, Founder & CEO, Access Hub
Omkar is a consultant, analyst, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience advising governments, space firms, defense agencies, aerospace, maritime, and media technology companies worldwide. At Access Hub, he shapes the vision, strategy, and global partnerships, positioning the platform at the crossroads of innovation and business growth.