Ten Orbital Launches This Week Spotlight Global Advances in Space Technology

As the first week of December unfolds, space enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting lineup of 10 orbital launches from six different companies across four continents. Leading the charge is SpaceX, which is set to conduct five separate missions to deploy its Starlink satellites from launch sites in California and Florida.

On the international front, Arianespace is preparing to launch South Korea’s KOMPSAT-7 Earth observation satellite aboard a Vega C rocket. Rocket Lab will also contribute with the launch of JAXA’s RAISE-4 technology demonstrator using its Electron rocket, while Japan’s H3 rocket will cap off the week with the deployment of the Michibiki No. 5 navigation satellite. Additionally, two Chinese rockets are anticipated to lift off on Saturday carrying undisclosed payloads.

Arianespace’s Vega C successfully lifted off with the KOMPSAT-7 satellite on December 1 at 17:21 UTC from the Guiana Space Centre. This recent flight, designated VV28, marked the sixth mission for Vega C and was particularly notable as it highlighted South Korea’s robust capabilities in satellite technology. The KOMPSAT-7, weighing in at about 2,000 kg, features advanced imaging sensors capable of delivering high-resolution Earth observation data. The launch placed the satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit following approximately 45 minutes of flight.

SpaceX is launching multiple Starlink missions throughout the week, starting with Starlink Group 15-10 on December 1 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This mission aims to deploy 27 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into a polar orbit to improve internet coverage in regions with high latitudes. The Falcon booster used in this launch will then execute a landing on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean.

Following up on December 2, SpaceX will conduct the Starlink Group 6-95 mission, sending 29 satellites into a lower orbit targeted at densely populated areas situated closer to the Equator. The launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station will mark the Falcon booster B1077’s 25th mission.

On December 4, SpaceX continues its streak with the launch of Starlink Group 11-25, which will again use the Falcon 9 to deliver another set of satellites into mid-latitude regions. The same day, Rocket Lab plans to advance its space agenda with the RAISE And Shine mission aboard an Electron rocket, targeting a December 4 liftoff from New Zealand for JAXA’s RAISE-4 satellite, which will evaluate several cutting-edge technologies.

Meanwhile, on December 6, Chinese launch providers will see action with two separate missions set to carry unknown payloads into orbit. An iSpace Hyperbola 1 rocket will launch from Jiuquan, followed shortly by a Chang Zheng 8A rocket from Wenchang, both contributing to the growing number of successful launches from China.

Rounding out the week, JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are preparing to launch the Michibiki No. 5 navigation satellite on December 7 aboard an H3-22S rocket. This mission embodies Japan’s advancements in satellite navigation systems designed to provide high-precision geolocation services.

This week’s series of launches signifies the ongoing surge in global space activity, reflecting a record-breaking pace in the industry for 2025. With SpaceX expected to approach approximately 170 launches this year alone, the rapidly evolving global market for space is unmistakably entering a dynamic new chapter, with over 300 orbital attempts projected worldwide by year-end.