Space Business Intelligence Portal 'ASTRONAVI' Releases Monthly Report on Global Rocket Launches and Satellite Deployment Data

In addition to the monthly report, the 'Tracker' and 'Performance Statistics'—which allow users to monitor launch schedules and results—will be available starting June 2026. Data is aggregated based on the public catalog dataset (GCAT).

Nabian Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Suginami-ku, Tokyo) launched ASTRONAVI (AstroNavi), a space business information portal, in May 2026. Beginning with the publication of a proprietary 'Monthly Report' on global rocket launches and satellite deployments, the company will also offer a daily-updated 'Tracker'—to monitor launch schedules, recent results, and orbital satellite deployments—and 'Performance Statistics'—to analyze monthly and annual trends—starting in June 2026. All data aggregation is based on the public catalog dataset 'GCAT'.

Every month, hundreds of satellites are launched into orbit through dozens of global rocket launches. ASTRONAVI aggregates data on rocket launches and satellite deployments monthly, categorized by operator, purpose, and country, including proprietary estimations. Through the 'Tracker' (for real-time updates), 'Performance Statistics' (for monthly and annual trends), and the 'Monthly Report' (summarizing key insights), users can understand the overall landscape and evolution of the global space business in Japanese. Until now, integrated Japanese-language services offering such data, news, and related company information have been limited.

[Official Website] https://astronavi.jp/ [Monthly Reports] https://astronavi.jp/reports/

Performance for May 2026 | Rockets (Launches)

In May 2026, there were 23 orbital rocket launches globally, all of which were successful (100% success rate). By operator, SpaceX conducted 12 launches (52.2%), accounting for over half of global launches, followed by CASC (China) with 6 launches (26.1%). Other operators—LandSpace, CAS Space, Arianespace, Rocket Lab, and ULA—each conducted one launch. By launch country, the United States and China were dominant.

SpaceX accounted for over half (52.2%) of global launches in May and maintained a 51.2% share from January to May, continuing its role in nearly half of all global launches. This forms a bipolar structure with Chinese operators like CASC following closely. While all 23 launches in May were successful, the year-to-date total (January–May) recorded six failures (95.2% success rate), indicating that various countries and companies are actively introducing new rocket models. Monthly fluctuations in launch frequency (23 in May vs. 30 in March) are largely due to variations in SpaceX’s monthly launch pace, rather than indicating structural changes.

▲ Rocket Launch Share by Operator (Cumulative, January–May 2026)

Performance for May 2026 | Payloads (Satellite Deployments)

In the same month, 364 payloads (satellites, etc.) were deployed into orbit. By application, communication satellites dominated with 283 units (77.7%). By operator, Starlink (SpaceX) led with 214 satellites (58.8%), followed by Qianfan (China) with 36, Kuiper (Amazon) with 29, and NRO (USA) with 22. By ownership country, the United States led with 281 satellites.

Most satellites deployed into orbit are communication satellites, which accounted for 83.2% of the cumulative total from January to May (see chart below). This is driven by the construction of low Earth orbit (LEO) communication constellations—large networks of small satellites—which strongly influence overall satellite deployment numbers. While Starlink (SpaceX) dominates with a cumulative 68.8% share, Chinese constellations like Qianfan and Guowang, as well as Amazon’s Kuiper, are steadily increasing their satellite counts. The LEO communication network is transitioning from a 'single dominant player' to an early phase of multipolarity with multiple competing players. Additionally, since multiple satellites can be deployed in a single launch, launch frequency and satellite count are not always proportional (364 satellites deployed in 23 launches in May).

▲ Satellite Distribution by Application (Cumulative, January–May 2026)

▲ Satellite Ownership Share by Operator (Cumulative, January–May 2026)

Cumulative Performance, January–May 2026 | 125 Launches, 1,947 Satellites

From January to May 2026, there were 125 rocket launches (119 successful, 95.2% success rate) and 1,947 satellites deployed into orbit (1,620 for communication, 83.2%). By launch provider, SpaceX led with 64 launches (51.2%), followed by CASC with 23 (18.4%). By satellite operator, Starlink (SpaceX) deployed 1,339 satellites (68.8%), followed by Kuiper (Amazon) with 151, Qianfan with 54, and Guowang with 44.

By ownership country, the United States accounted for 1,611 satellites (over 80% of the total), followed by China (152) and Europe (76). By launch country, launches were concentrated in the U.S. (78) and China (34). Monthly trends (see chart below) show satellite deployment numbers remain high, peaking at 516 in March, with fluctuations month-to-month. The high number of satellites per launch (due to constellation batch deployments) symbolizes the quantitative expansion of recent space activities.

▲ Monthly Trends in Launch Frequency and Satellite Deployments (January–May 2026)

<May 2026 Key Figures>

Rockets: 23 launches / 100% success rate / SpaceX 12, CASC 6

Payloads: 364 deployed / 283 communications (77.7%) / Starlink 214, Qianfan 36, Kuiper 29

<Cumulative, January–May 2026>

Rockets: 125 launches / 95.2% success rate / SpaceX 64, CASC 23

Payloads: 1,947 deployed / 1,620 communications (83.2%) / Starlink 1,339, Kuiper 151

*Data aggregated by ASTRONAVI based on GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org, CC-BY). Launch counts and success/failure are factual catalog entries; satellite application classifications include partial estimations based on ownership information.

Daily-Updated 'Tracker' and 'Performance Statistics' (Available from June 2026)

The 'Rocket & Payload Tracker' displays daily updates on global launch schedules, recent results, and satellites deployed into orbit. The 'Rocket & Payload Performance Statistics' enables users to view monthly and annual launch performance and operator share via graphs and tables, with CSV data download functionality. By combining the 'Monthly Report' (summarizing past trends) with the 'Tracker' and 'Statistics' (monitoring real-time status and overall trends), users can gain a multidimensional understanding of global space activities.

Tracker: https://astronavi.jp/rocket-payload-tracker/

Performance Statistics: https://astronavi.jp/rocket-payload-statistics/

May 2026 Monthly Report (Now Published)

Rocket Edition: https://astronavi.jp/reports/【astronavi-月次レポート】-2026年5月-ロケット編/

Payload Edition: https://astronavi.jp/reports/【astronavi-月次レポート】-2026年5月-ペイロード編/

*Reports are updated monthly. The Rocket Edition is published at the beginning of the month; the Payload (Satellite) Edition and statistical data are published mid-month.