2006

Tracked objects in orbit, in thousands, 1957-2024

Data on orbiting objects, called “the catalog” by the Defense Department, includes all 31,620 objects larger than a basketball that orbit Earth at speeds nearing 18,000 mph.10 The goal is to prevent disastrous high-speed collisions that can spread debris like killer confetti.

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New nations in space, 1957-2024

SmallSats are allowing more nations to reach space for the first time, but their short lifespan means that there has also been an increase in the number of nations leaving orbit over the past years. By the end of 2024, 92 nations were active in space.

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Hours between launch attempts, 2004-2024

The 259 launch attempts in 2024 represented a 16% increase from 2023’s record 223 launches.3 The pace of launch accelerated 5 hours from 2023, with a launch every 34 hours. A decade earlier, the pace of global launch was once every 95 hours.4 The United States dominated the launch cycle in 2024, outpacing China by more than 2-to-1.

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Launch attempts by year, 2004-2024

Notable launches of 2024 included long-anticipated flagship rockets. The United Launch Alliance Vulcan, which flew twice in 2024, replaces a long line of older rockets in the U.S. civil and military space sectors.

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Humans reaching space, 2000-2024

By Sept. 15, 70 people had flown their first mission to space aboard private sector flights, including 15 since January, according to Space Foundation records. Private-sector astronauts account for nearly 12 percent of all humans to fly to space.By Sept. 15, 70 people had flown their first mission to space aboard private sector flights, including 15 since January, according to Space Foundation records. Private-sector astronauts account for nearly 12 percent of all humans to fly to space.

By Sept. 15, 70 people had flown their first mission to space aboard private sector flights, including 15 since January, according to Space Foundation records. Private-sector astronauts account for nearly 12 percent of all humans to fly to space.

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Global space activity by category, 2005-2023

Commercial space revenues, which make up the majority of the space economy, grew 6.5% in 2023 to reach $445 billion. Government space spending increased by double digits for the third year in a row and reached a peak in the proportion of nations increasing their space budgets.Commercial space revenues, which make up the majority of the space economy, grew 6.5% in 2023 to reach $445 billion. Government space spending increased by double digits for the third year in a row and reached a peak in the proportion of nations increasing their space budgets.

Commercial space revenues, which make up the majority of the space economy, grew 6.5% in 2023 to reach $445 billion. Government space spending increased by double digits for the third year in a row and reached a peak in the proportion of nations increasing their space budgets.

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Satellites central to 2023’s record defense spending

Led by the United States with $835 billion in total defense spending, military budgets around the world grew to record levels in 2023 and appear on track for another record year in 2024, driven by increased tensions in Asia, the outbreak of war between Israel and militant groups, and the grinding conflict in Ukraine.Led by the United States with $835 billion in total defense spending, military budgets around the world grew to record levels in 2023 and appear on track for another record year in 2024, driven by increased tensions in Asia, the outbreak of war between Israel and militant groups, and the grinding conflict in Ukraine.

Led by the United States with $835 billion in total defense spending, military budgets around the world grew to record levels in 2023 and appear on track for another record year in 2024, driven by increased tensions in Asia, the outbreak of war between Israel and militant groups, and the grinding conflict in Ukraine.

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