BryceTech Release Q1 2024 Launch Stats

Analytics and engineering firm BryceTech released Global Orbital Space Launches Q1 2024 on 21st May.

In Q1, 626 spacecraft were launched, down from 664 in Q4 2023. Despite one more launch occurring in the first three months of 2024 (62) than in the last three of 2023 (61), fewer satellites went up in total, with both SpaceX and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), from China dropping in the number of satellites launched.

SpaceX launched 525 spacecraft, down from 590 in Q4 2023. CASC launched 27 in Q1, down from 31.

While the number of launch companies changed little (15 in Q1 versus 14 in Q4), the churn in companies present in the BryceTech was quite high. Two South Korean entities were listed in the end of 2023, only to be replaced with two Iranian ones at the beginning of 2024. In all, 21 different launch companies were involved in launches over the half year. These numbers are in line with the frequency of launches, number of satellites launched, and number of launch companies involved over the last 12 months.

In terms of total upmass, Q1 2024 saw over 490,000kg uplifted, versus over 460,000kg in Q4 2023. Space is raising its upmass every quarter – 214,095 in Q2 2023; 381, 278kg in Q3; 382,060 in Q4, and 429,125kg in Q1 2024.

Can we raise the numbers?

Whether the current figures, in terms of launch companies, number of launches, and upmass can be significantly raised depends in part upon the use of new heavy lift systems that are currently still untested. The Ariane 6 is planned to launch for the first time in 2024. Boeing’s Starliner is currently unavailable because of a leak. The SpaceX Starship may be able to start carrying a payload if the fourth launch succeeds through to landing. New launch companies are slated to begin launches this year, though none are likely to significantly change the frequency or upmass figures.