BRPTO Study Maps Patent Activity in Satellite Energy and Space Propulsion Technologies

Space technologies have become increasingly strategic in the global innovation landscape. From satellite communications and Earth observation to advanced propulsion systems, space-related technologies play an important role in areas such as telecommunications, environmental monitoring, defense, and scientific research. As governments, private companies and space agencies expand their activities in the space economy, the ability to understand technological trends and innovation dynamics has become both an important policy and a strategic tool.

In this context, the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BRPTO) published on March 09, 2026, a research report titled “Patent Landscape of Space Technologies: Energy for Satellites and Space Propulsion”. The study was developed in partnership with the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) and provides a comprehensive analysis of patent activity in the space sector, both in Brazil and globally.

The report focuses on two strategic technological domains, satellite energy systems and space propulsion technologies, while also updating the mapping of patent applications filed in Brazil by resident inventors related to space technologies more broadly. Through the analysis of patent data, the study offers important insights into the evolution of Brazil’s innovation ecosystem and its position within the global space technology landscape.

Innovation Policy and Strategic Context

The technological radar forms part of a broader cooperation framework between BRPTO and the Brazilian Space Agency aimed at strengthening technological intelligence in the national space sector. The study is aligned with Mission 6 of the "Nova Indústria Brasil" (New Industry Brazil) policy, which prioritizes the development of technologies considered essential for national sovereignty and defense.

This study is part of the "Technological Radar" studies promoted by the BRPTO, which are designed to support innovation policy by identifying emerging technological trends, mapping national capabilities, and highlighting areas where additional investment or policy support may be required. Patent information plays a particularly important role in this process because patent documents provide detailed technical descriptions of inventions and allow researchers and policymakers to track technological development across industries and regions.

In the case of the space sector, patent analytics are especially valuable due to the high technological complexity of space systems. Satellites, launch vehicles, and space infrastructure typically integrate numerous advanced technologies across multiple engineering domains, making Intellectual Property an important indicator of innovation activity and technological maturity.

Patent Activity in Brazil’s Space Sector

One of the main objectives of the study was to update the mapping of patent applications related to space technologies filed in Brazil by resident inventors. The analysis builds upon a previous technological radar study published in 2022 and expands the dataset of national patents associated with the space sector.

The updated study identified 65 new patent applications, bringing the total number of patent applications filed in Brazil by residents and related to space technologies to 164 since 2010. These patent filings reveal a small, but gradual increase in innovation activity in the sector over the last decade.

Despite this growth, the analysis indicates that the Brazilian space innovation ecosystem remains relatively concentrated among a limited number of actors. Most of the identified patents originate from universities and public research institutes, while private sector participation remains comparatively limited.

This pattern suggests that technological development in the Brazilian space sector is still largely driven by research institutions rather than industrial actors. In terms of technological maturity, this configuration typically corresponds to intermediate stages of development, where research institutions produce prototypes, experimental technologies, and proof-of-concept systems that may later be transferred to industry.

Institutional and Regional Distribution of Innovation

The report also provides a detailed analysis of the institutional and geographic distribution of patent applicants.

Among the leading patent applicants in the Brazilian space sector are several well-known research institutions and universities, including the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), the University of São Paulo (USP), the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE), and the University of Campinas (UNICAMP). These institutions have played an important role in advancing research and technological development related to aerospace and satellite systems.

From a geographic perspective, innovation activity is strongly concentrated in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. This regional concentration reflects broader structural characteristics of the Brazilian innovation system, where research infrastructure, funding opportunities, and specialized technical expertise are often concentrated in specific regions.

Global Patent Trends in Satellite Energy Systems

In addition to mapping domestic innovation activity, the study also examines global patent trends in two technological areas considered particularly relevant to the space sector.

The first of these areas concerns satellite energy systems, which include technologies responsible for generating, storing, and distributing electrical power in satellites and other space systems. These technologies are critical for mission reliability and operational autonomy in space environments.

Globally, the study identified 14,403 patent families related to satellite energy technologies since the year 2000, with a noticeable increase in patent activity over the past decade. China currently leads global patent filings in this technological domain, reflecting the country’s significant investment in both space infrastructure and advanced energy technologies.

A large portion of these patents focuses on photovoltaic power generation, which remains the dominant method of energy generation for satellites. Additional innovations relate to energy storage systems, power management technologies, and electrical distribution architectures designed for space applications.

In Brazil, the study identified 124 patent applications related to satellite energy technologies, representing approximately 1% of the global patent families identified in this domain. A significant share of these filings originates from foreign applicants, particularly companies from the United States. Moreover, most of the patents filed in Brazil have equivalent filings in other jurisdictions, indicating that they form part of broader international patent portfolios.

Global Patent Trends in Space Propulsion Technologies

The second technological domain analyzed in the report concerns space propulsion technologies, which are essential for launching spacecraft, maneuvering satellites in orbit, and enabling deep-space exploration missions.

The global patent landscape in this field includes approximately 6,541 patent families, again showing strong growth in recent years. As with satellite energy technologies, China and the United States dominate global patent activity in propulsion systems.

Most patents in this field relate to chemical propulsion technologies, particularly liquid and solid propulsion systems, which remain widely used in launch vehicles and satellite maneuvering systems. However, emerging propulsion concepts, such as electric propulsion and advanced propulsion architectures, are also increasingly represented in the patent landscape.

Within Brazil, the study identified 39 patent applications related to propulsion technologies, corresponding to approximately 0.6% of the global patent families in this domain. As observed in the satellite energy sector, a substantial proportion of these patents are filed by foreign applicants seeking protection in the Brazilian market.

What the Data Reveals About Brazil’s Innovation Ecosystem

Taken together, the findings of the technological radar study provide a valuable snapshot of Brazil’s current position in the global space innovation landscape.

First, the data indicate that Brazil possesses a growing but still relatively small patent portfolio in space technologies. While the number of patent filings has increased over the past decade, the country’s participation in global patent activity remains limited compared to major space powers.

Second, the innovation ecosystem appears to be strongly research-driven, with universities and research institutes accounting for the majority of the resident patent filings. This suggests that many technologies are still in intermediate stages of development and may require further industrial participation to reach full commercialization.

Third, the analysis highlights the global integration of the space technology market. Many patents filed in Brazil belong to international applicants and are part of larger global patent families, reflecting the international nature of space innovation and the importance of protecting Intellectual Property across multiple jurisdictions.

Final Remarks

The BRPTO technological radar study on satellite energy and space propulsion provides an important contribution to the understanding of innovation dynamics in Brazil’s space sector. By combining patent analytics with technological mapping, the study offers valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders seeking to navigate the evolving space economy.

Although Brazil’s participation in global patent activity remains modest, the country possesses a growing research base and a network of institutions actively engaged in aerospace innovation. Strengthening collaboration between universities, research institutes, and industry may play a key role in translating these technological capabilities into commercial applications and industrial development.

As space technologies continue to expand in importance for communications, environmental monitoring, and national security, the ability to monitor technological trends through patent data will definitely remain an essential tool for shaping innovation strategies and identifying new opportunities for technological advancement.