2012
2012 – Russia Launch, Human
Russia has retained the ability to send cosmonauts into orbit since the launch of Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, in 1961. Currently, Russia is the only nation ferrying people to and from the ISS. In addition to using its Soyuz spacecraft for ISS transportation, Russia also sells or barters transportation services to individuals and other ISS partner nations.
2012 – U.S. Launch, Human
The United States, after the Soviet Union, was the second nation to send a human into space, but it will not have its own human spaceflight capability for the next several years, following the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2012. The United States has several programs in development intended to restore its national human spaceflight capability.
2012 – Commercial Space Products and Services Overview Snapshot
The commercial space products and services sector was the largest contributor to space economy revenues in 2012. Total 2012 revenues for commercial space products and services were estimated at $## billion, ##% more than the $## billion estimated in 2011. This includes revenues from satellite broadcasting, communications, and Earth observation.
Space Technology Hall of Fame and Space Certification – 2012 Inductees
To recognize and raise awareness of new space products and services, the Space Foundation maintains its Space Technology Hall of Fame and Space Certification programs. In collaboration with NASA, the Space Technology Hall of Fame annually honors individuals or organizations that have improved the quality of life on Earth by developing a product based on space technology.
Launch Log, 2012
Interested in global space launch vehicle satellite activity? Please select the associated link to read about it. Launch data is updated every day during weekdays, excluding U.S. holidays.