The Space sector has started the year with a bang, and we will once again see an all-time record number of space launches. The appetite for space adventure of public organisations and private companies around the world is leading experts to predict that orbital missions will far exceed the 200 that closed 2023.
Once again, SpaceX will be the company contributing most to this high figure. The American company, with its emblematic Falcon 9 and the powerful Falcon Heavy, is planning an average of 12 launches per month, or 144 launches in 2024, 50% more than in 2023.
Once again, SpaceX will be the company contributing most to this high figure. The American company, with its emblematic Falcon 9 and the powerful Falcon Heavy, is planning an average of 12 launches per month, or 144 launches in 2024, 50% more than in 2023.
Everything suggests that China will also be one of the most active powers in the upcoming months. No specific data has been released, but the Asian country has ambitious plans with the aim of catching up with NASA in the space race.
There is no doubt that China will surpass the 2023 record. Its 67 launches positioned it as the third most dynamic power in space.
The ranking of the most active countries will remain unchanged despite the increase in operations: The United States, China and Russia will maintain their top positions.
And what about Europe? Europe is at the bottom of the table. During 2023, the European Space Agency (ESA) only managed to launch three rockets: two Ariane 5 and one Vega. It was the lowest year of orbital launch activity on the Old Continent since 2009.
Forecasts for this year are no brighter. Europe is experiencing what is known as the “launcher crisis”. A surge in demand to put satellites into orbit, a shortage of rockets and poor planning are forcing the authorities to take urgent measures to reduce dependence on the United States.
