2023
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.
2020s is the busiest decade for Moon landings in 50 years
![The Intuitive Machines Odysseus lander captured this image from the surface of the Moon during its approach to the landing site. Credit: Intuitive Machines](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Intuitive-Machines-Odysseus-lander-captured-this-image-from-the-surface-of-the-Moon-during-its-approach-to-the-landing-site.--150x150.png)
![The Intuitive Machines Odysseus lander captured this image from the surface of the Moon during its approach to the landing site. Credit: Intuitive Machines](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Intuitive-Machines-Odysseus-lander-captured-this-image-from-the-surface-of-the-Moon-during-its-approach-to-the-landing-site.-.png)
In the span of six months from 2023 to 2024, three countries landed spacecraft on the Moon, and many more are in the works.
January, February launches 2022-2024
![](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/January-February-launches-2022-2024-1-150x150.png)
![](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/January-February-launches-2022-2024-1.png)
The first two months of 2024 saw an incredible pace of launches. The record set in 2023 could topple if two players alone make their goals.
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.
Space-based research brings billions in value to medicine
![NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor mixes protein crystal samples onboard the ISS in the search for new medicines. Credit: JAXA/NASA](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NASA-astronaut-Serena-Aunon-Chancellor-mixes-protein-crystal-samples-onboard-the-ISS-150x150.png)
![NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor mixes protein crystal samples onboard the ISS in the search for new medicines. Credit: JAXA/NASA](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NASA-astronaut-Serena-Aunon-Chancellor-mixes-protein-crystal-samples-onboard-the-ISS.png)
Every year, NASA turns $10 billion in research and development funding into roughly 1,000 technology reports and 100 new patents.
INSIGHT: White House strategy key to future space workforce
![Courtney Stadd](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Courtney-Stadd--150x150.png)
![Courtney Stadd](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Courtney-Stadd-.png)
It is the year 2044 and you have been assigned to help manage the extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) including neodymium, dysprosium, and europium from an approaching asteroid.
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.
Liftoff: Q1 2024 Highlights
![A rendering of Boeing’s WGS 12 satellite. Credit Boeing](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-rendering-of-Boeings-WGS-12-satellite.--150x150.png)
![A rendering of Boeing’s WGS 12 satellite. Credit Boeing](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-rendering-of-Boeings-WGS-12-satellite.-.png)
The space industry is advancing faster than ever before with continual progress in the government, military and private sectors. Here are noteworthy business highlights from this quarter.