Welcome to Version 7.36 of the Rocket Report! Effectively, after 9 months, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are lastly again on Earth, protected and sound. This brings to conclusion one of many stranger and extra dramatic human spaceflight tales in years. We’re glad they’re lastly residence, quickly to be reunited with their households.
As at all times, we welcome reader submissions, and if you happen to do not wish to miss a problem, please subscribe utilizing the field beneath (the shape is not going to seem on AMP-enabled variations of the positioning). Every report will embody info on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets in addition to a fast look forward on the subsequent three launches on the calendar.
Abstract of 2024 launch exercise. In its annual launch report, launched earlier this month, Bryce Tech analyzed the 259 orbital launches carried out final 12 months. Among the many main traits the analysts discovered had been: Practically 60 % of all launches had been carried out by US suppliers, Industrial suppliers accounted for about 70 % of launches, and Small satellites, primarily for communications, represented nearly all of all spacecraft launched at 97 %.
Developments dominated by Starlink launches … SpaceX carried out greater than half of the launches final 12 months (134), placing 2,390 spacecraft into orbit (the overwhelming majority of which had been Starlink satellites). The following closest competitor was China, with 48 launches and 186 spacecraft. The closest US competitor to SpaceX was Rocket Lab, with 14 launches and 33 spacecraft. The competitors in “upmass,” that’s whole kg lofted into orbit, was much less shut nonetheless. SpaceX put 1.86 million kg into area, adopted by China (164,000 kg) and Roscosmos (76,000). The closest US competitor was United Launch Alliance, at 29,000 kg. Put one other manner, for each kilogram ULA put into orbit, SpaceX lofted 66.
MaiaSpace inks first business buyer. MaiaSpace, a French subsidiary of ArianeGroup based in 2022, signed an settlement to fly a number of missions for Exotrail’s SpaceVan orbital switch automobile starting in 2027. The partnership with Exotrail offers an early vote of confidence that the reusable Maia rocket can enhance Europe’s sovereign launch capabilities, Payload stories. That is considered one of a number of launch agreements signed lately by Exotrail.
