In 2024, space exploration reached new heights as the number of launches set a record for the fourth year in a row, with projections indicating this trend will persist. The annual report from the Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization, highlights that there were 259 launches last year, averaging one about every 34 hours. This is an improvement from 2023, when the launch frequency was about every 39 hours. The report identifies SpaceX as a significant force in launch and spacecraft advancements, accounting for 152 launches and the deployment of nearly 2,000 Starlink satellites. Furthermore, the foundation notes a shift toward heavier satellites, resulting in a 40% increase in the total mass launched into orbit last year, totaling approximately 4.2 million pounds.

The report further reveals that the United States was the leader in the launch sector in 2024, surpassing China by more than a 2-to-1 ratio. The upward trend in launches is expected to continue this year, fueled in part by the introduction of new launch capabilities in Europe. Notable advancements include impending inaugural flights of launch vehicles from the UK, France, and Germany, as reported by Space.com. Globally, at least 24 launch vehicles are slated for their first flights this year. Among these is Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane, anticipated to deliver cargo to the International Space Station by the end of the year. Additionally, Blue Origin’s new and impressive rocket, recently completed its inaugural test flight last month.