China
Guardians learn languages as U.S. grows global alliances
Guardians learn languages at the Air Force Culture and Language Center (AFCLC). The development is unprecedented for the young service and shows a major shift in Pentagon strategy on orbit: Fewer secrets, more allies, and a better understanding of rivals.
Total launches by nation, 2024
The United States saw an unprecedented 154 launches on the year. China came in second with a record 68 launches. A continued slump in space launches from Russia.
Annual spacecraft deployments fall 3% to 2,802
Despite the large increase in launches in 2024, the number of satellites deployed actually fell in 2024. Still, these spacecraft brought a record mass to orbit.
5 enterprising space companies to watch in 2025
Keeping in mind today’s most pressing technology gaps, here are five companies to watch in 2025 — though still with no guarantee of long-term success.
SNAPSHOT: Launch vehicles set for 2025 first flights
Twenty-four new launch vehicles, many delayed from 2024, are expected to take flight this year.
Flock of launch vehicles set for first flight in 2025
With as many as 23 launch vehicles set to make their first flights in 2025, there’s also a renewed focus on sovereign launch capabilities
2024 set another launch record, 2025 poised to shatter it
With a launch attempt every 34 hours, 2024 set spaceflight records. More than half of 2024’s launches came atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 reusable rocket.
Quilty Space 2024 Q4 quarterly transactional update
During the fourth quarter, transactional volumes were overall largely in line with recent periods. Space sector M&A volumes were relatively consistent, with 13 announced transactions during Q4 versus 14 during Q3 and 11 during Q2.
SNAPSHOT: Space Force improves detection for hypersonic missiles
As the United States develops hypersonic capabilities, the Space Force is working to better detect enemy weapons, which combine maneuverability, speed, and stealth to hit targets with little warning.
Midyear launches by select nations, 2014-2024
China led its global rivals with seven military launches, one more than the United States. China’s launches included fielding a new series of high-resolution spy satellites, according to state-controlled media.8 Russia and Japan each launched two military missions, while North Korea and Japan had a single mission each. The United States led the world in civil government space launches of the first half of the year, with a dozen launches.