Top 10 Companies in the Second Surface Mirror Market (2025): Thermal Control Leaders Advancing Space Technology

In Business Insights
June 24, 2025

The Global Second Surface Mirror Market was valued at USD 169 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 403 Million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.9% during the forecast period (2024-2032). This expansion is driven by the rapid increase in satellite deployments, advancements in spacecraft thermal management, and the growing commercialization of space activities worldwide.

Second Surface Mirrors (SSMs), also referred to as Optical Solar Reflectors (OSRs), serve as critical thermal control components for satellites and spacecraft by efficiently reflecting solar radiation while emitting infrared heat. As global space programs accelerate operational capabilities, we examine the Top 10 Companies in the Second Surface Mirror Market—specialized material scientists and optical engineers creating the thermal regulation solutions powering next-generation space missions.


🔟 1. Excelitas Technologies Corp

Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Radiation-resistant Second Surface Mirrors for harsh orbital environments

Excelitas stands as a global innovator in photonic solutions, manufacturing space-rated SSMs that maintain optical performance across extreme temperature variations from -150°C to +150°C. Their proprietary multi-layer coatings demonstrate less than 5% solar absorptance degradation over 10 years in geostationary orbit.

Technical Superiority:

  • Ultra-stable silver-based reflective coatings (>95% reflectivity)

  • Atomic oxygen-resistant surface treatments for LEO applications

  • Space-qualified bonding processes for glass-metal composites

Download FREE Sample Report: Second Surface Mirror Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Consorzio CREO

Headquarters: L’Aquila, Italy
Key Offering: Precision SSMs for scientific instrumentation

This Italian research consortium supplies mirrors with sub-microradian stability for ESA’s most demanding astronomy missions. Their thermal-optical properties remain stable across decades, with less than 0.1% degradation per year in vacuum conditions.

Technical Superiority:

  • Zero-CTE glass substrates

  • Active thermal distortion compensation systems


8️⃣ 3. CASC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation)

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Domestic SSM solutions for China’s expanding space fleet

As the primary contractor for China’s space program, CASC has vertically integrated SSM production to support over 200 annual satellite launches. Their mirrors feature specialized coatings optimized for Asia-Pacific orbital conditions.

Technical Superiority:

  • Automated coating deposition systems

  • Radiation-hardened designs for high-altitude orbits


7️⃣ 4. XingJian Technology

Headquarters: Shenzhen, China
Key Offering: Economical SSMs for commercial smallsat constellations

XingJian has pioneered cost-efficient manufacturing techniques that reduce SSM prices by 40% compared to traditional methods while maintaining >88% solar reflectivity. Their aluminum composite mirrors now equip over 800 small satellites globally.

Technical Superiority:

  • Roll-to-roll deposition processes

  • Modular thermal radiator designs

Download FREE Sample Report: Second Surface Mirror Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Materion Corporation

Headquarters: Mayfield Heights, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Ultra-stable beryllium SSMs for extreme environments

Materion produces metal matrix mirrors offering unmatched thermal conductivity (200 W/m·K) for high-power communications satellites. Their beryllium-based solutions demonstrate less than λ/20 wavefront distortion across operational temperature ranges.

Technical Superiority:

  • Isotropic thermal expansion properties

  • Micro-yield strength >250 MPa


5️⃣ 6. Collins Aerospace (RTX Corporation)

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Integrated thermal management systems with SSM components

Collins provides complete thermal control solutions combining SSMs with heat pipes and loop heat pipes. Their modular designs are qualified for 15-year GEO missions and support rapid satellite bus integration.

Technical Superiority:

  • Predictive thermal modeling software

  • Standardized interface designs


4️⃣ 7. Thales Alenia Space

Headquarters: Cannes, France
Key Offering: Mission-specific SSM configurations

This European aerospace leader has supplied mirrors for over 500 spacecraft, including the Copernicus Sentinel satellites. Their heritage designs demonstrate <5% performance degradation over 20 years in harsh space environments.

Technical Superiority:

  • Large-area deployable assemblies (>10m²)

  • Hybrid metal-glass substrates


3️⃣ 8. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Long-life GEO SSM solutions

Mitsubishi’s SSMs power Japan’s advanced communications satellites, demonstrating <2% solar absorptance change after 15 years in geostationary orbit. Their proprietary self-cleaning coatings reduce contamination effects.

Technical Superiority:

  • In-situ cleanliness monitoring

  • Reduced outgassing formulations

Download FREE Sample Report: Second Surface Mirror Market – View in Detailed Research Report


2️⃣ 9. Northrop Grumman

Headquarters: Falls Church, Virginia, USA
Key Offering: Military-grade survivable SSMs

Northrop Grumman develops mirrors with enhanced resilience features for defense satellites operating in contested environments. Their solutions maintain optical performance during and after exposure to various space threats.

Technical Superiority:

  • Directed energy-resistant coatings

  • Reduced thermal signature designs


1️⃣ 10. Airbus Defence and Space

Headquarters: Toulouse, France
Key Offering: Optimized SSM thermal architectures

Airbus integrates advanced SSMs into complete spacecraft thermal systems, leveraging digital twin simulations to maximize performance. Their solutions equip the majority of Europe’s commercial telecommunications satellites.

Technical Superiority:

  • AI-driven placement optimization

  • Modular building block approach

Get Full Report Here: Second Surface Mirror Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌌 Future Outlook: Next-Generation SSM Technologies

The Second Surface Mirror landscape is undergoing significant transformation as new materials and manufacturing methods emerge to meet evolving space mission requirements. While traditional glass-based mirrors remain predominant, alternative solutions are gaining traction across different orbital applications.

📊 Emerging Market Trends:

  • Development of flexible polymer-based mirrors for deployable radiators

  • Integration of smart coatings with self-healing properties

  • Standardization efforts for mass-produced constellation satellites

  • Adoption of additive manufacturing for complex mirror geometries

Get Full Report Here: Second Surface Mirror Market – View in Detailed Research Report

These leading companies continue to push the boundaries of thermal control technology—enabling spacecraft to operate reliably in the extreme environment of space while supporting humanity’s expanding orbital infrastructure.