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Final orbital launch statistics for 2020.
I summarized some of this in my latest article for @NASASpaceflight: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/12/year-review-mars-lunar-samples-crew-from-us-starlink/
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) was the most active launch provider. The most active commercial LSP was SpaceX.
I summarized some of this in my latest article for @NASASpaceflight: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/12/year-review-mars-lunar-samples-crew-from-us-starlink/
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) was the most active launch provider. The most active commercial LSP was SpaceX.
Led by SpaceX, the United States launched more orbital missions than any other country this year. Rocket Lab launches are counted as US launches, as Rocket Lab is an American company. Soyuz launches operated by Arianespace are similarly counted as European launches.
Falcon 9 launched more flights than any other vehicle, followed by Soyuz-2.
There were 10 orbital launch failures this year, the most since 1971.
There were 10 orbital launch failures this year, the most since 1971.
The vast majority of payloads launched this year were for satellite internet constellations, operated by SpaceX (Starlink) and OneWeb. In total, 93 different payload operators reached orbit in 2020.
More than 75% of spacecraft launched this year were American. I reclassified OneWeb satellites as operated by the UK instead of the US as the company emerged from bankruptcy.
In total, 1217 spacecraft from 28 different countries reached orbit.
In total, 1217 spacecraft from 28 different countries reached orbit.
I'm already working on a much improved solution for this data tracking for 2021. Will track more data (including upmass estimates), produce better visuals, and be easier for me to use. 
