State of the Launch Industry in the First Half of 2026

Launches in the First Half of 2025

SpaceX conducted 81 launches, with 59 (72%) for Starlink.

Long March launched 28 times.

R-7 launched 5 times.

Electron launched 9 times.

Launches in the First Half of 2026

SpaceX

SpaceX conducted 75 Falcon 9 launches and one Falcon Heavy launch. 60 (80%) Falcon 9 launches were for building out the Starlink constellation.

SpaceX is gearing up for the 13th launch of Starship, possibly oribtal. The FAA has issued an advisory for the 14th and 15th of July.
Source: S.E.Robinson

Long March

Long Marchlaunched 30 times.

R-7

R-7 launched 5 times.

Rocket Lab

Electron launched 9 times.

SpaceX has reportedly stopped accepting new orders for its Transporter rideshare missions beyond late 2028 or early 2029, with most available slots already booked.

This situation may create additional opportunities for Rocket Lab and other small satellite launch providers, which often offer greater flexibility regarding schedule and target orbit for smaller payloads.

Rocket Lab is continuing its vertical integration strategy. On June 29, 2026, the company announced the acquisition of Iridium Communications Inc. in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $8 billion.

Source: Rocket Lab Investor Relations

Data Sources:

Jonathan C. McDowell: Launch List by Family
Wikipedia: List of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches (2010–2019)
Wikipedia: List of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches
Wikipedia: List of Long March launches (2010–2019)
Wikipedia: List of Long March launches (2020–2029)
Wikipedia: List of R-7 launches (2010–2014)
Wikipedia: List of R-7 launches (2015–2019)
Wikipedia: List of R-7 launches (2020–2024)
Wikipedia: List of Electron launches
Wikipedia: Comparison of orbital launcher families

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