Rocket Report: SpaceX and China led the way in 2025; Vandenberg has room to grow

Welcome to the latest edition of the Rocket Report! After a refreshing break, we’re excited to dive into the thrilling developments awaiting us in 2026. This year promises to be packed with significant events, including the anticipated launch of SpaceX's Starship for Starlink missions, the United Launch Alliance's efforts to enhance the frequency of its Vulcan rocket flights, and Blue Origin's quest for certification of the New Glenn rocket by the US Space Force. The answers to these questions will unfold as the year progresses. As we reflect on the early days of 2026, the launch activity has been relatively quiet, with only two SpaceX missions completed in the first week. It’s worth noting that just a few years ago, achieving two launches in a single week would have been considered extraordinary. We encourage our readers to share their insights and stay connected by subscribing to our updates. Looking back at 2025, the space launch landscape set new records. The total number of global orbital launch attempts last year exceeded the previous record set in 2024 by an impressive 25%. This surge was primarily driven by SpaceX and China's extensive launch operations, with a total of 329 attempts recorded. Remarkably, 321 of these missions successfully reached orbit or achieved marginal orbits, according to Jonathan’s Space Report. SpaceX alone accounted for five Starship-Super Heavy launches and an astounding 165 Falcon 9 rocket missions, far surpassing its 2024 totals of 134 Falcon 9 and two Falcon Heavy launches. Interestingly, no Falcon Heavy missions took place in 2025. Additionally, US providers, including Rocket Lab with its Electron rocket launches from New Zealand, contributed around 30 more orbital launches, further cementing the United States' position as a leader in space exploration.