USAthanks to SpaceXonce again crushed the global market for space launchers, carrying out 107 orbital flights in 2023, far ahead of other countries in this strategic sector.
SpaceX, Elon Musk’s company launched its rocket 96 times throughout the year Falcon 9reaching a rate of almost two launches per week, with the aim of continuing the deployment of its Starlink internet satellite constellation.
SpaceX also launched his Falcon Heavyto put the space drone into orbit military X-37B, and carried out two tests of its Starship superheavy launcher, both of which ended in explosions. This launcher will be used for the Artemis missions to the Moon.
“For next year, we want to increase the number of flights to about 12 flights per month, that is, 144 flights”said SpaceX Vice President Bill Gerstenmaier when he appeared before the US Senate in October.
The United States took advantage in space activities
Faced with American dominance, China is rapidly expanding its space activities. It made 67 launches in 2023, up from 64 in 2022, according to Spacenews. Of them, 47 were from his rocket alone Long Marchaccording to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
Russia made 19 launches, 17 of them rocket launches Soyuzmainly transporting satellites for their government and military needs, as well as Progress ships, destined for the International Space Station (ISS), according to the specialized website Gunter’s Space Page.
The Electron rocket of the American and New Zealand partnership Rocket Labone of the few operational mini-launchers, was fired nine times.
India, with the space agency isrolaunched its GSLV, PSLV and SSLV rockets seven times in 2023.
Isro also carried out the first launch of 2024: a PSLV rocket, fired at 04:30 am GMT on Monday, January 1, sent a scientific satellite into orbit.
Europe, in a current launcher crisis, only carried out three launches in 2023: the last two Ariane 5 and a Vega rocket. But it hopes to regain autonomous access to space with the inaugural flight of Ariane 6, scheduled for mid-June, and with the flight of Vega-C at the end of the year.
Japan also conducted three launches in 2023, but its new H-3 heavy launcher failed. The Japanese space agency, Jaxaannounced that it will make a new attempt on February 15.
Source: Gestion
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