2023
Space-based research brings billions in value to medicine
![NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor mixes protein crystal samples onboard the ISS in the search for new medicines. Credit: JAXA/NASA](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NASA-astronaut-Serena-Aunon-Chancellor-mixes-protein-crystal-samples-onboard-the-ISS-150x150.png)
![NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor mixes protein crystal samples onboard the ISS in the search for new medicines. Credit: JAXA/NASA](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NASA-astronaut-Serena-Aunon-Chancellor-mixes-protein-crystal-samples-onboard-the-ISS.png)
Every year, NASA turns $10 billion in research and development funding into roughly 1,000 technology reports and 100 new patents.
INSIGHT: White House strategy key to future space workforce
![Courtney Stadd](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Courtney-Stadd--150x150.png)
![Courtney Stadd](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Courtney-Stadd-.png)
It is the year 2044 and you have been assigned to help manage the extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) including neodymium, dysprosium, and europium from an approaching asteroid.
Proportion of governments that increased space spending, 2018-2023
![](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Proportion-of-governments-that-increased-space-spending-2018-2023-1-150x150.png)
![](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Proportion-of-governments-that-increased-space-spending-2018-2023-1.png)
Preliminary data shows that 81% of governments with space programs increased spending in 2023.
Vandenberg customer mission share 2014–2023
![Vandenberg customer mission share 2014–2023](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Vandenberg-customer-mission-share-2014–2023-1-1-150x150.png)
![Vandenberg customer mission share 2014–2023](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Vandenberg-customer-mission-share-2014–2023-1-1.png)
No single mission segment dominated the base’s launches until 2022, when 10 of 16 Vandenberg launches delivered commercial payloads to space.
Liftoff: Q1 2024 Highlights
![A rendering of Boeing’s WGS 12 satellite. Credit Boeing](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-rendering-of-Boeings-WGS-12-satellite.--150x150.png)
![A rendering of Boeing’s WGS 12 satellite. Credit Boeing](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-rendering-of-Boeings-WGS-12-satellite.-.png)
The space industry is advancing faster than ever before with continual progress in the government, military and private sectors. Here are noteworthy business highlights from this quarter.
Vandenberg customer mission share 2014–2023
Cumulative human spaceflight, 1961–March 18, 2024
![Cumulative human spaceflight, 1961–March 18, 2024](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cumulative-human-spaceflight-1961–March-18-2024-1-150x150.png)
![Cumulative human spaceflight, 1961–March 18, 2024](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cumulative-human-spaceflight-1961–March-18-2024-1.png)
Human spaceflight activity is off to a rapid pace in 2024 with a private Axiom mission, a public ISS mission, and a private Virgin Galactic mission taking flight in the first nine weeks of the year.
NASA share of U.S. federal budget, 1959-2025
![NASA share of U.S. federal budget, 1959-2025](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NASA-share-of-U.S.-federal-budget-1959-2025-150x150.png)
![NASA share of U.S. federal budget, 1959-2025](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NASA-share-of-U.S.-federal-budget-1959-2025.png)
The overall Pentagon budget proposal for 2025 is $850 billion, $8 billion more than its 2024 request.
Annual launch attempts, 2022, 2023, 2024 projection
![Annual launch attempts, 2022, 2023, 2024 projection](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Annual-launch-attempts-2022-2023-2024-projection-1-150x150.png)
![Annual launch attempts, 2022, 2023, 2024 projection](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Annual-launch-attempts-2022-2023-2024-projection-1.png)
The pace is expected to quicken, with a dozen more new launch vehicles preparing for flight.
SNAPSHOT: New launch vehicles
![](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/New-launch-vehicles-150x150.png)
![](https://www.thespacereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/New-launch-vehicles.png)
The launches included successful maiden flights for three new launch vehicles. With a dozen more new launch vehicles expected to debut, 2024 appears poised to be a game-changing year in orbital flight.