The US launch industry in 2025 has seen a significant increase in orbital launches, with a total of 329 attempts worldwide, surpassing the record set in 2024 by 25 percent. SpaceX and China accounted for the majority of these launches, with SpaceX launching 165 Falcon 9 rockets and China attempting 92 orbital launches.
SpaceX opened its 2026 launch campaign with a mission for the Italian government on January 2 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The payload was Italy's Cosmo-SkyMed Second Generation Flight Model 3 (CSG-FM3) satellite, a radar surveillance satellite for dual civilian and military use.
China launched an LVM3 rocket carrying a cargo ship for its Tiangong space station on July 15, 2025. Japan attempted to launch its H3 rocket mission on December 21, but the vehicle failed to reach orbit due to a faulty payload fairing.
Isar Aerospace is gearing up for a second launch attempt of its light-class Spectrum rocket after completing 30-second integrated static test firings for both stages late last year. The endeavor would be the first orbital launch for Spectrum and an effort at a clean mission after a March 30 flight ended in failure.
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket successfully sent a test payload into orbit on January 1, marking its first successful launch of the massive rocket. The company also unveiled plans in November for a new super-heavy lift version called New Glenn 9×4.
Rocketdyne has changed hands again, with private equity firm AE Industrial Partners purchasing a controlling stake in Rocketdyne from L3Harris after less than three years of ownership. The split of the company's space and defense segments will allow L3Harris to concentrate on Pentagon programs.
Tory Bruno, the longtime CEO of United Launch Alliance, has been hired by Blue Origin as president of its newly formed national security-focused unit. The hire brings one of the US launch industry's most experienced executives to Blue Origin as the company works to challenge the dominance of SpaceX and win a larger share of lucrative US military and intelligence launch contracts.
A new orbital launch site is up for grabs at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, with the Department of the Air Force publishing a request for information from launch providers. One of the requirements listed in the RFI includes what the government calls the "highest technical maturity."
The next three launches are scheduled as follows: Falcon 9 | Starlink 6-96 | Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on January 9; Falcon 9 | Twilight Mission | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on January 11; and Falcon 9 | Starlink 6-97 | Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on January 11.
SpaceX opened its 2026 launch campaign with a mission for the Italian government on January 2 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The payload was Italy's Cosmo-SkyMed Second Generation Flight Model 3 (CSG-FM3) satellite, a radar surveillance satellite for dual civilian and military use.
China launched an LVM3 rocket carrying a cargo ship for its Tiangong space station on July 15, 2025. Japan attempted to launch its H3 rocket mission on December 21, but the vehicle failed to reach orbit due to a faulty payload fairing.
Isar Aerospace is gearing up for a second launch attempt of its light-class Spectrum rocket after completing 30-second integrated static test firings for both stages late last year. The endeavor would be the first orbital launch for Spectrum and an effort at a clean mission after a March 30 flight ended in failure.
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket successfully sent a test payload into orbit on January 1, marking its first successful launch of the massive rocket. The company also unveiled plans in November for a new super-heavy lift version called New Glenn 9×4.
Rocketdyne has changed hands again, with private equity firm AE Industrial Partners purchasing a controlling stake in Rocketdyne from L3Harris after less than three years of ownership. The split of the company's space and defense segments will allow L3Harris to concentrate on Pentagon programs.
Tory Bruno, the longtime CEO of United Launch Alliance, has been hired by Blue Origin as president of its newly formed national security-focused unit. The hire brings one of the US launch industry's most experienced executives to Blue Origin as the company works to challenge the dominance of SpaceX and win a larger share of lucrative US military and intelligence launch contracts.
A new orbital launch site is up for grabs at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, with the Department of the Air Force publishing a request for information from launch providers. One of the requirements listed in the RFI includes what the government calls the "highest technical maturity."
The next three launches are scheduled as follows: Falcon 9 | Starlink 6-96 | Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on January 9; Falcon 9 | Twilight Mission | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on January 11; and Falcon 9 | Starlink 6-97 | Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on January 11.
The US launch industry is defo getting more competitive in 2025! With SpaceX dominating the scene, it's cool to see other players like China and Japan trying to catch up 
. But for real, can we talk about how many launches there are?! Like, what even is a record of 329 attempts? Are we gonna need rocket insurance now? 
. And Tory Bruno joining Blue Origin's national security unit is a big move – I'm curious to see how he's gonna help them take down SpaceX 
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. With so many launches happening, it feels like we're inching closer to making space travel more accessible and affordable 
I mean, 329 attempts worldwide in just one year? that's wild! SpaceX and China are killing it, but what's up with Japan's H3 rocket failing to even reach orbit? and did you see Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket finally succeeding on its first test flight? gotta give it up for them 
from italy and china and japan too but why did the japanese rocket fail 
what does that number mean tho? like 9 separate engines or something? and why are they trying to challenge spacex for military contracts? is it because we need more satellites in space 
i have no idea how this works but its all so fascinating! 
. And poor Japan, failing their H3 rocket mission, hope they get it together next time 
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. I mean, who doesn't love a good underdog story? Blue Origin's New Glenn 9×4 sounds like an epic space battle just waiting to happen 
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. And with new players like Blue Origin and Isar Aerospace jumping into the game, it's going to be interesting to see who comes out on top. I'm intrigued by Blue Origin's plans for a new super-heavy lift version called New Glenn 9×4 - that sounds like a game-changer 
. On a more neutral note, I'm curious about this new orbital launch site opportunity at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California - it could be a major player in the industry 
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. Like, can't they just chill for one second? They're already launching like crazy and now they want to create a whole new orbital launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base? It's like they're trying to outdo each other or something 
Anyway, I guess it's all good news for SpaceX and China, who are clearly the real MVPs of the launch industry 
. Can't wait to see what they have planned next! 
Isar Aerospace is trying to get back on track with its Spectrum rocket after a failed launch last year. Fingers crossed they can make it work 
!
blue origin's new glenn 9x4 tho?? i need to know more about that 
what do u guys think the future holds for these companies?
and it's wild to think we're already breaking records like this! i'm not surprised though, space tech is moving so fast it feels like we're just getting started 
? anyway, can't wait to see what 2026 brings! 
. But what's with all these launches? Don't get me wrong, I think innovation is cool and all 
, but at some point we gotta consider the environment and stuff like that... are we just gonna keep launching and launching until something breaks? 
anyway, nice to see Blue Origin finally having some success with their New Glenn rocket. hope they don't get too ahead of themselves tho. 