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Space Launches

Updated: Oct 24, 2026

Seven decades of orbital spaceflight: payload mass delivered to orbit by nation, launch economics ($/kg), and reliability trends.

Tags:GlobalSpaceLaunches
Orbital Payload Capacity (LEO/SSO)

Orbital Payload Capacity (LEO/SSO)

Average Payload per Launch by Decade (LEO/SSO)

Average Payload per Launch by Decade (LEO/SSO)

Launch Cost to Orbit by Decade (LEO/SSO, 2021 USD)

Launch Cost to Orbit by Decade (LEO/SSO, 2021 USD)

Orbital Launch Failure Rate by Decade

Orbital Launch Failure Rate by Decade

Best Average Payload (2020s)
14,261 kg
Lift Capacity Growth (1950s: 700 kg → 2020s: 14,261 kg)
20.4×
Heavy Class Record (US, 2020s)
22,732 kg
Average Payload per Launch by Decade (LEO/SSO)

Average Payload per Launch by Decade (LEO/SSO)

Source:
The Space Devs — Launch Library 2 API