Welcome to Version 7.36 of the Rocket Report! Nicely, after 9 months, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are lastly again on Earth, secure and sound. This brings to conclusion one of many stranger and extra dramatic human spaceflight tales in years. We’re glad they’re lastly dwelling, quickly to be reunited with their households.
As at all times, we welcome reader submissions, and should you do not need to miss a problem, please subscribe utilizing the field under (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 performed final yr. Among the many main tendencies the analysts discovered had been: Almost 60 p.c of all launches had been performed by US suppliers, Industrial suppliers accounted for about 70 p.c of launches, and Small satellites, primarily for communications, represented the vast majority of all spacecraft launched at 97 p.c.
Traits dominated by Starlink launches … SpaceX performed greater than half of the launches final yr (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 complete kg lofted into orbit, was much less shut nonetheless. SpaceX put 1.86 million kg into house, 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 method, 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 car starting in 2027. The partnership with Exotrail supplies an early vote of confidence that the reusable Maia rocket can enhance Europe’s sovereign launch capabilities, Payload reports. That is one in all a number of launch agreements signed lately by Exotrail.