China targets 140 launches in 2026 amid commercial space surge

HELSINKI — China plans to conduct around 140 orbital launches this year, according to a commercial launch executive, marking a sharp acceleration in the country's launch cadence.

The United States conducted 193 orbital launch attempts in 2025, according to a SpaceNews analysis, including 165 Falcon 9 missions, more than the rest of the world combined. Starlink is currently the single largest customer for the Falcon 9.

Yang's comments were made at a provincial industry and policy forum in February. CAS Space successfully completed the first launch of its kerosene-liquid oxygen Kinetica-2 rocket March 30, sending three spacecraft, including a prototype freighter, into orbit. The company plans around 13 launches this year, including Kinetica-1 solid rocket and further Kinetica-2 launches, with the latter to include constellation launches.