The United States has once again dominated the global space rocket market thanks to SpaceX, having conducted 107 orbital flights in 2023, significantly ahead of other countries in this strategic sector. SpaceX alone accounted for 96 launches, averaging nearly two launches per week, with the continued deployment of its Starlink satellite network being the primary goal of these Falcon 9 launches.
In response to U.S. dominance, China is rapidly advancing its space activities, completing 67 launches in 2023 compared to 64 in 2022, according to SpaceNews. The China National Space Administration conducted its last launch of 2023 on Friday, reporting on its website that the total number of launches for its Long March rocket series reached 47 for the year.
Russia, on the other hand, completed 19 launches, including 17 with its Soyuz rocket, the majority of which were satellites to meet its government and military needs, along with the Progress cargo vehicle to the International Space Station, as reported by the specialized site Gunter's Space Page.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) carried out seven launches over the year with its GSLV, PSLV, and SSLV rockets. However, Europe, facing a crisis in this area, managed only three launches in 2023, including the last two flights of the Ariane 5 and a third for the Vega rocket.
Europeans hope to regain their capacity for independent access to space after the first flight of the Ariane 6 rocket scheduled between June 15 and the end of July, and the return of the Italian Vega C rocket at the end of the year, as it had been suspended following the failure of its first commercial flight in December 2023. Japan also conducted three launches in 2023, including a failed attempt to launch its new heavy rocket, H3.