2021
Global space activity by category, 2007-2027
![Global space activity by category, 2007-2027](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Global-space-activity-by-category-2007-2027-1-150x150.png)
![Global space activity by category, 2007-2027](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Global-space-activity-by-category-2007-2027-1.png)
The global space economy totaled $546 billion in 2022, 8% higher than 2021 — and it could reach $772 billion by 2027, according to Space Foundation analysis. Commercial space continues to make up the majority (78%) of this total, but preliminary data shows that 81% of governments with space programs increased spending in 2023.
Launch failures by number of satellites lost, 2003-2023
![Launch failures by number of satellites lost, 2003-2023](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Launch-failures-by-number-of-satellites-lost-2003-2023-1-150x150.png)
![Launch failures by number of satellites lost, 2003-2023](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Launch-failures-by-number-of-satellites-lost-2003-2023-1.png)
In 2023, launch failures resulted in the loss of 31 satellites, an increase of 48% from 2022.
Cumulative spacecraft on orbit, 1957-2023
![Cumulative spacecraft on orbit, 1957-2023](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cumulative-spacecraft-on-orbit-1957-2023-1-150x150.png)
![Cumulative spacecraft on orbit, 1957-2023](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cumulative-spacecraft-on-orbit-1957-2023-1.png)
Federal agencies in 2014 estimated by 2022 as many as 43 commercial satellites a year would head to orbit. Instead, more than 50 times . . .
NASA Civil Servant Workforce, FY 2013-2023
![NASA Civil Servant Workforce, FY 2013-2023](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NASA-civil-servant-workforce-FY-2013-2023-1-150x150.png)
![NASA Civil Servant Workforce, FY 2013-2023](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NASA-civil-servant-workforce-FY-2013-2023-1.png)
NASA employed approximately 18,372 employees in 2023. This is an increase of 3.1% over employment in 2022.
Space insurance industry estimates, 2003-2022
![Space insurance industry estimates, 2003-2022](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Space-insurance-industry-estimates-2003-2022-1-150x150.png)
![Space insurance industry estimates, 2003-2022](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Space-insurance-industry-estimates-2003-2022-1.png)
As satellites get smaller and cheaper and companies pivot to building LEO constellations rather than purchasing single large satellites for GEO orbit, many operators are foregoing insurance after launch altogether.
U.S. space private industry employment, 2012-2023
![](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/U.S.-space-private-industry-employment-2012-2023-150x150.png)
![](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/U.S.-space-private-industry-employment-2012-2023.png)
Some experts in the space sector worry that high inflation may put significant pressure on aerospace firms as the cost of materials increases rapidly.
Spacecraft deployed by payload type, 2021-2023
![](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Spacecraft-deployed-by-payload-type-2021-2023-1-150x150.png)
![](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Spacecraft-deployed-by-payload-type-2021-2023-1.png)
Commercial satellites accounted for 90% of space-craft launched in 2023, with communications satellite constellations leading the pack.
Proportion of governments that increased space spending, 2018-2023
![](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Proportion-of-governments-that-increased-space-spending-2018-2023-1-150x150.png)
![](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Proportion-of-governments-that-increased-space-spending-2018-2023-1.png)
Preliminary data shows that 81% of governments with space programs increased spending in 2023.
Vandenberg customer mission share 2014–2023
![Vandenberg customer mission share 2014–2023](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Vandenberg-customer-mission-share-2014–2023-1-1-150x150.png)
![Vandenberg customer mission share 2014–2023](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Vandenberg-customer-mission-share-2014–2023-1-1.png)
No single mission segment dominated the base’s launches until 2022, when 10 of 16 Vandenberg launches delivered commercial payloads to space.