Global Orbital Launches
1957-2025 Historical Data
Russia Leads with 2,754 Lifetime Launches as US and China Drive Modern Space Race
Three nations account for 85% of all orbital launches since Sputnik; New Zealand emerges as private launch hub
Visualizing orbital launch capability by country and active spaceports. Orange markers show launch sites; choropleth intensity reflects historical launch volume.
Visual Key
= Launch Site
= Launch Activity
Top Launchers
🥇 Russia: 2,754 launches (1957-2025)
7 active sites including Baikonur, Plesetsk
🥈 United States: 2,339 launches
8 sites led by Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg
🥉 China: 720 launches (1969-2025)
6 sites including sea-based platforms
7 active sites including Baikonur, Plesetsk
🥈 United States: 2,339 launches
8 sites led by Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg
🥉 China: 720 launches (1969-2025)
6 sites including sea-based platforms
Emerging Players
New Zealand hosts Rocket Lab with 67 launches since 2017, becoming the world’s leading private launch destination outside the US.
Countries by Launch History
Ranked by Lifetime Orbital Launches (1957-2025)
