SpaceX Rockets Launched 86% Of All Upmass To Space In Q3

SpaceX has dominated the global space race, outpacing nation-state space programs as the premier rocket launcher for satellite operators. In the third quarter of 2024, SpaceX launched an astonishing 362 metric tons of upmass to space, accounting for 85.7% of all upmass launched worldwide. The company also accounted for 63% of all space launches in the quarter, launching 518 spacecraft, the most of any launch provider worldwide. Elon Musk tweeted that if the rest of the fourth quarter goes well, SpaceX's share could reach 90%. According to BryceTech, near-term growth in spacecraft and heavy-lift launches is expected, driven primarily by the deployment of megaconstellations. The average annual number of spacecraft open to launch from US providers is about 3,100, with heavy-lift launches playing a central role. The next Starship test flight window is set to open on January 11, which will be the seventh test flight of the program. The sixth test flight of Starship was earlier this month, and the company plans hundreds of Starship rocket launches during President Trump's second term. SpaceX's latest valuation is around $250 billion, according to a recent Financial Times report. The company's dominance in the space race has put America years ahead of the rest of the world.