Once again, the United States has asserted its dominance in the global space rocket launch market, with SpaceX conducting 107 orbital missions in 2023, significantly surpassing other countries in this strategic sector.
SpaceX alone accounted for 96 launches, averaging nearly two launches per week. The continued deployment of its Starlink satellite network, using its Falcon 9 rocket, remained the primary objective for most of these launches.
Additionally, SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket, which carried the US military's X-37B spaceplane on a research mission.
Two test launches were also conducted for its massive Starship rocket, both of which ended in explosions. It is expected that this rocket will be used for future lunar missions under the Artemis program.
During a hearing before the US Senate last October, Bill Gerstenmaier, Vice President of SpaceX, announced the company's plans to increase the number of launches to approximately 12 per month, totaling 144 annually in 2024.
In response to US dominance, China has rapidly expanded its space activities, conducting 67 launches in 2023, compared to 64 in 2022, according to SpaceNews.
The China Association for Science and Technology of Space reported its final launch of 2023, stating that the total number of launches conducted throughout the year by its Long March rocket family reached forty-seven.
Russia executed 19 launches, including 17 for its Soyuz rocket, most of which were satellites serving governmental and military purposes. They also launched the Progress cargo vehicle to the International Space Station, as reported by the space-focused website Gunter's Space Page.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted seven launches in 2023 using their GSLV, GSLV Mk III, and SSLV rockets.
However, Europe, facing challenges in this field, completed only three launches in 2023, including two for the Ariane 5 rocket and one for the Vega rocket.
Japan also executed three launches in 2023, one of which was an unsuccessful attempt to launch its new heavy rocket, H3.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that February 15th will be the date for a new attempt.
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