2024
Satellites central to 2023’s record defense spending
Led by the United States with $835 billion in total defense spending, military budgets around the world grew to record levels in 2023 and appear on track for another record year in 2024, driven by increased tensions in Asia, the outbreak of war between Israel and militant groups, and the grinding conflict in Ukraine.
2024 launch pace easily exceeds 2023’s record midyear mark
Global launches through June 30 were up nearly 30% from 2023, easily eclipsing last year’s record 97 first half launches with 126. Launch failures also fell in the first half of 2024 despite the higher launch activity. The pace is expected to accelerate through the second half of 2024, with key launch vehicles set for first flights.
Commercial space revenues climb to $445 billion in 2023
Commercial space activity has grown rapidly in recent years, although definitions for this activity vary. For the purposes of this analysis, commercial space activity is defined to include products sold to private customers and efforts undertaken by private industry in which private actors take on a significant portion of the financial risk.
NASA, Boeing extract lode of data amid Starliner’s extended stay in space
Boeing Starliner Commercial Crew Module deemed safe to return astronauts to Earth for emergency return as engineers diagnose anomalies.
Volunteer crew emerges from year-long NASA Mars simulation
After 378 days, the CHAPEA crew emerged from its Mars Simulation at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
SpaceX expanding operations, increasing launches in Southern California
SpaceX is expanding its facility and renewing its lease at the Port of Long Beach to support an increased launch cadence out of Vandenberg Space Force Base.
GOES-U satellite to help strengthen weather, solar forecasts and climate change analysis
NOAA’s GOES-U satellite, the most advanced weather fleet sent to orbit by the United States, carries the nation’s first operational coronagraph.
China’s Chang’e 6 mission returns samples from Moon’s far side
China’s Chang’e 6 spacecraft landed on the far side of the Moon on June 1, and returned the samples to Earth on June 25.
Boeing Starliner accomplishes first crewed launch to ISS
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral with astronauts onboard for the first time. With this success, Starliner is poised to be only the second commercial crewed vehicle that is certified to bring astronauts to the ISS.
Japan completes world’s first wooden satellite
A Japanese university and lumber company are working together to send the first wooden satellite to the International Space station later this year.