The latest Rocket Report highlights a pivotal year in spaceflight, confirming that SpaceX and China were the undisputed leaders of orbital launch activity in 2025. As the global launch cadence hit record-breaking numbers, these two entities accounted for the vast majority of missions, setting a new benchmark for competition in the new space era.
Looking toward infrastructure, the report also identifies Vandenberg Space Force Base as a critical asset with significant room for growth. While the East Coast ranges handle many crewed missions, Vandenberg is rapidly evolving into a primary hub for high-inclination and polar launches, essential for both defense and commercial constellation deployment.
Meanwhile, operations have already shifted into high gear for the new year. SpaceX has officially kicked off its 2026 launch campaign, successfully executing a dedicated mission for the Italian government. This early launch signals that the company is maintaining its aggressive launch tempo to satisfy both commercial and institutional demands without delay.
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