In 2025, global orbital launch attempts reached a record 324, driven mainly by SpaceX and China, with SpaceX conducting 165 Falcon 9 launches and China 92. The growth is expected to slow for Falcon 9 in 2026, as SpaceX shifts focus to Starship, which is anticipated to begin orbital launches in 2026 alongside increased activity from other launch providers. Overall, the trend indicates a significant rise in space launch activity, with the US and China dominating the market.
In 2025, SpaceX set a new record with 165 orbital launches, primarily using Falcon 9 rockets, dominating the US space launch market and launching over 9,300 Starlink satellites, while also advancing its Starship program for future missions to Mars.
Rocket Lab concluded a record-breaking year with its 21st Electron launch, successfully deploying a radar imaging satellite for Japanese company iQPS, and demonstrating its growing presence in the small-launch market with a total of 21 launches in 2025, second only to SpaceX among Western companies.
China set a new single-year record for rocket launches in 2025 with 72 missions, surpassing last year's 68, driven by multiple launches including government and private rockets, although the US leads globally with over 150 launches, mainly by SpaceX's Falcon 9.
