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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.
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.
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.
New launch vehicles by lift class, 2025
Most of the launch vehicles expected to make first flights in 2025 are in the small category, able to loft light satellites into low Earth orbit. The launchers may be small, but they are significant for nations striving to develop sovereign launch capability.
New launch vehicles by nation, 2025
The rockets of 2025 range from micro launchers designed to carry cube satellites to low Earth orbit to massive machines that can haul tons to deep orbits or even interplanetary space.
Launch log, 2025
Interested in this year’s global space activity? Keep track of orbital launch trends with our 2025 launch log. Launch data is updated every day during weekdays, excluding U.S. holidays.
FCC satellite fees, 2022-2024
Almost all satellite operators will see much bigger bills this fall from a federal agency that regulates the use of radio frequencies. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission announced in September that satellite operators will face fee hikes up to 270%
NASA Europa Clipper and total planetary science budgets, 2015-2029
The Europa Clipper mission comes at a critical time when NASA is trying to determine the future of its planetary missions and budgets. NASA’s overall planetary science spending trended upward over the past decade with an average growth rate of 6%.
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.
Active and decommissioned Norwegian satellites, 2008-2027
In its business strategy published in April, the agency emphasized the need to use space in sustainable ways to better society. Beyond government agency activities, many public universities in Norway are pursuing space research and developing their own satellites.