Global Launch Log: Every Orbital Launch and Result — 2026-10-28
China executed a "triple header" of orbital successes from October 22–24, including a high-profile one-rocket-six-satellite mission. Meanwhile, SpaceX recorded a rare Falcon 9 scrub on October 21, and data confirms the Starlink constellation has surpassed 9,990 active satellites.
Global Launch Log: Every Orbital Launch and Result — 2026-10-28
Top developments
China’s "Triple Header" of Successes
Between October 22 and 24, China successfully completed three consecutive orbital launch missions, marking a significant operational tempo for the Beijing space program. The streak culminated on October 24 at 03:25 Beijing Time, when a Long March 4B rocket launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. This mission deployed six remote sensing satellites (Yaogan 53-07 to 09 and Yaogan 56-19 to 21) intended for scientific experiments, land resource surveys, and disaster prevention.
The streak also included a launch on October 23 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, where twilight effects created a spectacular "rocket cloud" visible from the ground, and an October 25 launch from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site using a Long March 8A to deploy 28 satellite internet low-orbit satellites.
SpaceX Starlink Constellation Surpasses 9,990
Data from Orbital Radar on October 28 indicates that SpaceX has 9,996 active Starlink satellites in orbit. This milestone brings the constellation inches away from the symbolic 10,000-satellite mark. The briefing also noted quiet space weather conditions, which are favorable for continued high-frequency launch operations.
Rare Falcon 9 Scrub
On October 21, SpaceX scrubbed a planned launch of 27 Starlink satellites. While scrubs are common in SpaceX operations, this event was highlighted by Ars Technica as part of a broader context involving ULA’s Vulcan rocket, with officials stating they are "weeks away" from launching on Vulcan. The scrub was attributed to weather or technical checks, as the mission was rescheduled.
Local view
In Chinese media, the "one rocket, six satellites" (Yi Jian Liu Xing) mission was widely celebrated as a success for China's independent space capabilities. Outlets like Sohu and Sina News emphasized the dual-use nature of the payloads, highlighting their importance for "agricultural production estimation" and "disaster reduction," framing the launches as critical for national infrastructure and safety. The "Rocket Cloud" phenomenon from the Taiyuan launch also generated significant social media engagement in China, with videos of the twilight effect going viral.
Context & numbers
As of late October 2026, global orbital launch statistics continue to track high success rates. Orbital Radar’s database reports 247 recorded orbital launches so far in 2026, maintaining an overall historical success rate of 92.9%. In comparison, 2025 saw 325 orbital launch attempts worldwide with a 96.1% success rate, suggesting 2026 is on pace to potentially exceed or match last year's high-volume activity if the current cadence holds through November and December.
On the radar
- Vulcan VC6L: United Launch Alliance is preparing for a launch of Amazon Leo (LV-01) from Cape Canaveral, with windows indicated for approximately five weeks out (late November).
- Electron Missions: Rocket Lab is scheduled for multiple Electron launches from New Zealand in the coming weeks, carrying HawkEye 360 and BlackSky Gen-3 satellites.
- Starliner Comeback: NASA is targeting a late 2026 return-to-flight for Boeing’s Starliner, which has been grounded since June 2024.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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