It’s a record year for the space industry. In 2020, over 1200 satellites were sent to orbit, more than in any other previous year, according to spaceflight tracker Jonathan McDowell.
As of Dec. 15, 2020, China was leading the way with 37% of the launches, two points ahead of the United States (35%). Europe lags far behind, with only 5% of the global space launches taking place this year, behind Russia (13%), New Zealand (7%), and just a step ahead of Japan (4%).
The year was marked by the first 6G test satellite launch by the Chinese, while the Americans started the Starlink internet satellite program operated by SpaceX, Elon Musk’s aeronautical business. This project aims at p…
Keep on reading: 1,200 satellites launched into space in 2020, a new record