2023
NASA cancels VIPER Moon rover amid budget concerns
![The metallic front of the VIPER lunar rover in a NASA lab](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/viper-rover-150x150.png)
![The metallic front of the VIPER lunar rover in a NASA lab](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/viper-rover-1024x682.png)
After $450 million and six years of work, NASA will not be exploring lunar ice with its new rover. The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) is already built, and the rocket is still scheduled to launch next year, but the rover will remain on Earth.
Ariane 6, Europe’s long-awaited launch vehicle, makes maiden flight
![Ariane 6, the launch vehicle designed to ensure the European Space Agency's access to orbit, flew from French Guiana on Tuesday, ending four years of delays with triumph.](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ariane_6_takes_flight-150x150.jpg)
![Ariane 6, the launch vehicle designed to ensure the European Space Agency's access to orbit, flew from French Guiana on Tuesday, ending four years of delays with triumph.](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ariane_6_takes_flight-683x1024.jpg)
Ariane 6, the launch vehicle designed to ensure the European Space Agency’s access to orbit, flew from French Guiana on Tuesday, ending four years of delays with triumph.
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.
As launch failures grow, satellite operators are more resilient to risk
![Rocket Lab launched the final pair of TROPICS satellites for NASA on May 26, 2023, after the first two were lost in an Astra rocket failure. Even with this setback, NASA was able to begin mission operations for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season after launching the remaining four satellites in the constellation. Credit: Rocket Lab](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rocket-Lab-launched-the-final-pair-of-TROPICS-satellites-for-NASA-150x150.png)
![Rocket Lab launched the final pair of TROPICS satellites for NASA on May 26, 2023, after the first two were lost in an Astra rocket failure. Even with this setback, NASA was able to begin mission operations for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season after launching the remaining four satellites in the constellation. Credit: Rocket Lab](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rocket-Lab-launched-the-final-pair-of-TROPICS-satellites-for-NASA.png)
Increasing annual launches and new players in the launch market have led to several notable payload delivery failures over the past few years.
2 U.S. spaceports gain funds amid huge upswing in launch pace
![A SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket lifts off at Vandenberg Space Force Base in September. The mission carried the Space Development Agency’s second round of satellites.](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-SpaceX-Falcon-9-rocket-lifts-off-at-Vandenberg-Space-Force-Base-150x150.png)
![A SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket lifts off at Vandenberg Space Force Base in September. The mission carried the Space Development Agency’s second round of satellites.](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-SpaceX-Falcon-9-rocket-lifts-off-at-Vandenberg-Space-Force-Base.png)
In the last decade, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (the Cape) in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California have supported more launches than other U.S. launch facilities.
U.S. private sector space employment shows steady growth
![A Blue Origin New Glenn launch vehicle rolls out for testing ahead of a planned 2024 maiden flight. The firm had 1,574 job openings posted in March. Credit: Blue Origin](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-Blue-Origin-New-Glenn-launch-vehicle-150x150.png)
![A Blue Origin New Glenn launch vehicle rolls out for testing ahead of a planned 2024 maiden flight. The firm had 1,574 job openings posted in March. Credit: Blue Origin](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-Blue-Origin-New-Glenn-launch-vehicle.png)
Monitoring trends in this workforce across private, civil, and national security sectors and examining changes in wages and location of employment provides insight into broader space industry dynamics.
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.
SNAPSHOT: Global space economy
![Top 3 commercial space sectors, 2015-2022](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Top-3-commercial-space-sectors-2015-2022-150x150.png)
![Top 3 commercial space sectors, 2015-2022](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Top-3-commercial-space-sectors-2015-2022.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.
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.