24/12/2012 In 2012, the world was launched 76 space vehicles
In the past year in various parts of the world were launched 76 rockets (26 starts made by Russia, 19 - China 13 - USA, 10 - by Arianespace, three - a consortium Sea Launch, two - India, Japan and North Korea, one - Iran ), the aim of which was injected into Earth orbit payloads of various kinds. 74 launch was successful, and one - partially successful. One, in North Korea, concluded the accident.
There is indirect evidence that in 2012, in Iran, there were two emergency launch vehicles, 23 May and 22 September. However, these facts do not have official confirmation. Therefore, in these statistics do not count starts.
The number of launches in 2012, the carrier compared to the previous year decreased by 8 units (9.53%). After an almost steady annual growth, which was observed in the previous seven years (with some fluctuations), this is the first decline in the number of launches.
As in recent years the most runs the "Run" Russia - 24 starts (31.58%). Given the program starts Sea Launch and "Union" in Kourou "this number increased to 29 (38.15%).
Compared with 2011 starting the activity of Russia has declined substantially (8 starts, that is, 25%). When accounting for the above two launches program numbers a little better - a decrease of 6 starts, that is 17.15%.
Compared with the previous year decreased accident rate for launch Russian missiles. All media is successfully put the spacecraft into orbit. True, the two summed boosters "Briz-M" (August and December), when the satellites themselves on an unplanned orbit. But the trend is positive and encouraging.
True, the number of starts fell again domestic RN carried out under the national program. In 2012, there were only four. In addition, the three programs on commercial launches into orbit, except foreign satellites are displayed and Russian spacecraft.
Eight Russian launch took place on the ISS program.
All other competitions, including the Odyssey floating platform from Kourou carried on commercial contracts.
The second highest number of rockets launched firmly established China. In 2012, as well as a year earlier, China had launched 19 rockets. And all starts were successful.
By the way, in the first half for the first time in the history of China ranked first in the start-up activities. It is true that in the second half, "it all fell in place," and a leader "cried" Russia. But at least temporarily, but the Chinese were in the lead. What makes talk of a significant strengthening of the Chinese space exploration.
Increased in China, the number of starts on commercial contracts. In 2012, the Chinese media have been launched Luxembourg, Venezuelan and Turkish satellites. But the main place of China continues to pay the national space program.
U.S. second year in third place in the starting activity - 13 starts (decrease compared to 2011 by 27.8%). But, apparently, not really dwell on it. All your needs are met by "businessmen". And the potential of the Americans did not go anywhere - if necessary, they can dramatically increase their starter activity.
And to help with this they can private traders. In 2012, it was a two-run media Falcon-9 Company SpaceX. In the coming years, will join other companies. Then the Americans and statistics will improve.
In 2012, the number increased to 10 starts, "Burn" for Arianespace. This company is legally "owned" and Russian "Soyuz", launched from Kourou.
Strengthened its positions in the past year in the commercial launch and "sea spaceport." With the Odyssey floating platform was made three starts.
Activity of the other countries in the launch services market was small and corresponds to the "performance" of a number of recent years.
KI
