SpaceX is just single company based out of the US, but it accounts for an astonishing percentage of space launches across all of humanity.
New data from Q2 2025 reveals the extraordinary extent of SpaceX’s dominance in global space launch capabilities. The company launched 1,060 spacecraft during the quarter, representing approximately 88.5% of the 1,198 total spacecraft launched worldwide by all service providers combined. Even more striking, SpaceX carried 639,282 kg of the total 743,770 kg of spacecraft mass lifted to orbit during the period—a commanding 86% share of global launch capacity by weight.
“Once Starship is flying frequently with real payloads next year, then SpaceX will probably deliver >95% of total Earth payload to orbit, despite others, especially China, continuing to grow. In 2027, maybe as high as 98%,” Elon Musk said responding to the numbers.
The numbers underscore how SpaceX has fundamentally reshaped the commercial space industry through its reusable rocket technology and high-frequency launch cadence. While traditional aerospace powers like China, Russia, and established Western companies continue to operate in the market, they collectively account for a relatively small fraction of actual launch activity.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the country’s primary state-owned space contractor, ranked second globally but launched only 50 spacecraft compared to SpaceX’s 1,060—a ratio of more than 20-to-1. Despite launching fewer individual craft, CASC carried significantly more mass per launch, lifting 53,230 kg to orbit, suggesting their missions involved larger, heavier payloads typical of government and scientific applications.
United Launch Alliance (ULA), the joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin that has long served as NASA’s primary launch provider, managed 54 spacecraft launches carrying 31,050 kg of mass. While ULA continues to handle critical national security and deep space missions, the data highlights how SpaceX has captured the majority of the commercial satellite deployment market.
The disparity becomes even more pronounced when examining the smaller players in the global launch market. Traditional space powers like Russia’s Roscosmos launched just 4 spacecraft during Q2, while newer entrants like Rocket Lab managed 8 launches. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries showed just one launch each during the quarter, despite both organizations having active space programs.
Several factors explain SpaceX’s overwhelming market dominance. The company’s Falcon 9 rocket has achieved unprecedented reliability and cost efficiency through its reusable first-stage technology, allowing for rapid turnaround times between missions. SpaceX has also vertically integrated much of its supply chain and developed streamlined manufacturing processes that enable high-volume production.
Perhaps most significantly, SpaceX has created its own demand through the Starlink satellite constellation, which requires regular deployment of large batches of internet satellites. This self-generated business provides the company with consistent revenue and launch frequency that helps subsidize development costs for other missions.
For the broader space economy, SpaceX’s dominance reflects a successful transition from government-led space programs to commercial space services. However, it also highlights the challenges facing traditional aerospace companies and national space agencies in competing with SpaceX’s combination of technical innovation, manufacturing scale, and integrated business model.
As the commercial space industry continues to mature, Q2 2025’s launch data suggests that SpaceX has not just captured market share—it has fundamentally redefined what constitutes normal levels of space launch activity. With over 1,000 spacecraft launched in a single quarter by one company, SpaceX is operating at a scale that would have seemed impossible just a decade ago.