The year 2024 saw remarkable progress in global space exploration and commercialization. What exciting developments are on the horizon for 2025?
During 2024, approximately 250 orbital rocket launches were conducted worldwide. A significant player in this arena was SpaceX, which completed an impressive 134 launches, featuring 129 Falcon 9 missions, two Falcon Heavy missions, and three Starship test flights.
In contrast, Europe managed only around five launches. A highlight for the continent was the launch of the new heavy-lift rocket, Ariane 6, by the European Space Agency (ESA) in July. This mission successfully carried nine CubeSats—small satellites—from various European companies and research institutions.
The launch of Ariane 6, delayed for four years, has been a pivotal moment for Europe, allowing it to regain autonomy in space. However, the rocket received criticism for being expendable, in contrast to SpaceX’s reusable designs.
In December, ESA also launched the Proba-3 mission, which includes two satellites tasked with studying the Sun’s corona. This groundbreaking mission aims to generate an artificial eclipse to enhance our understanding of solar weather, which can significantly impact satellites in orbit, communication networks, and power grids on Earth.
Notably, 2024 was marked by an incident involving two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were stranded in space due to thruster failures and helium leaks in their Boeing Starliner test capsule. The capsule eventually returned to Earth in September, leaving the astronauts onboard the International Space Station (ISS). NASA plans to bring them back on the SpaceX Crew-9 mission, which is set to return in 2025.
Europe’s First Orbital Launch
Looking ahead, 2025 may see the first orbital launch from European soil. Traditionally, most launches have taken place from the European Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) has revealed plans for its inaugural orbital satellite launch in collaboration with South Korean partner Perigee Aerospace, targeted for late 2025.
SSC has also secured a project from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to establish fundamental capabilities for satellite launches at its Esrange Space Centre in the Arctic Circle. The race to achieve this milestone is heating up, with competition between the Swedish spaceport and the Saxavord Spaceport in the British Isles. Orbex CEO Phil Chambers has expressed ambitions for a launch from the Scottish facility in 2025.
Industry experts emphasize the growing demand for advanced propulsion systems, especially with the booming satellite and rocket business. Richard Dinan, CEO of Pulsar Fusion, commented on SpaceX’s reliability in placing satellites into orbit. He pointed out, “Once you’re in orbit and you’ve been placed there by SpaceX, you’re on your own—and different propulsion systems will be necessary.”
Pulsar Fusion is developing what it claims to be the largest electric in-space propulsion system, engineered to operate in the vacuum of space after a satellite is deployed from the rocket.
With the expansion of space activities, concerns about sustainability are also rising. Companies like Amazon’s Kuiper Systems are preparing for increased launches to deploy over 3,000 satellites in their constellations in 2025.
According to ESA data, there are currently around 12,500 satellites in Earth’s orbit, with about 2,700 of them non-functional. Meanwhile, Brussels is actively working on the first European Space Law, slated for introduction in 2025, aimed at tackling the growing issue of space debris.
What Else to Expect in 2025
In 2025, several rocket launches and maiden flights are on schedule. ESA anticipates conducting an orbital test flight of the Space Rider uncrewed spaceplane in the third quarter, intended for various missions, including technology demonstrations and scientific research.
Following its inaugural flight, Ariane 6 is set for its first commercial launch in the first quarter of 2025, with a target for mid-February. This mission will deliver the French military reconnaissance satellite CSO-3.
Moreover, SpaceX is continuing its development of the Starship rocket, designed for deep space missions, with its seventh flight test planned for January 2025.
For further insights, don’t miss the accompanying video!
Photo credit & article inspired by: Euronews
