The growing low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite sector is an example of 21st-century innovation and American dynamism.

In addition to the broad economic benefits that LEO technology will unlock by delivering fast, affordable broadband to underserved and unserved communities and helping to close the digital divide, the LEO satellite industry is advancing “Made in the U.S.A.” innovation, high-quality job creation and workforce training.

LEO Satellites and U.S. Job Creation

• According to one recent study by Polaris Market Research, the global LEO satellite market was valued at $33 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $102 billion as soon as 2032.
• The ramp-up in LEO satellite production and launches is creating new job opportunities and spurring major new investments in American engineering, high-tech manufacturing and R&D.
  • For example, Amazon’s investment of more than $10 billion in Project Kuiper is already employing more than 2,000 workers across a state-of-the-art, 240,000-square-foot headquarters in Redmond, Wash., a satellite factory in Kirkland, Wash., a logistics facility in Everett, Wash. and a nearly $140 million facility under construction at Cape Canaveral.
  • Starlink has invested more than $56 million in its facilities in Bastrop County, Texas.
• The growth of the LEO satellite industry is creating further demand for engineers, technologists and other skilled workers. These opportunities are prompting universities and training programs to invest in new LEO-related educational initiatives and workforce development to support this transformative industry.

Case Study / LEO Satellites in Action

Amazon’s Project Kuiper has partnered with Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Everett, Washington to create two 16-credit certifications in aerospace assembly and aerospace manufacturing. These programs focus on safety protocols, aerospace assembly skills, electrical systems and emerging technologies, equipping students with the skills to excel in the region’s growing satellite industry. The Institute’s President says, “Industry partnerships like this collaboration with Amazon’s Project Kuiper are what make our students so successful.”