International Launches and Aerospace Developments: A 2025 Overview
In 2025, China solidified its position as a leader in aerospace with 92 orbital launches, followed by Russia’s 17. Europe managed eight launches, while India, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Iran, and Australia each contributed to the global tally, albeit in smaller numbers. The trend in launch activities has been upward since 2019, though projections suggest a potential plateau in 2026. SpaceX plans to continue launching its Falcon 9 rockets at a rate comparable to last year, even as it prepares to increase Starship operations.
In a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the aerospace sector, South Korean startup Innospace encountered a significant setback during its inaugural commercial launch at Brazil’s Alcantara Space Center. On December 22, the company’s Hanbit-Nano rocket experienced a malfunction 30 seconds post-liftoff, resulting in a crash within a pre-defined safety zone. Fortunately, there were no casualties. The rocket was intended to carry eight small payloads, including deployable satellites, to low Earth orbit. Historically, first flights often yield mixed results, and while the craft didn’t reach orbit, its performance surpassed that of many comparable vehicles in their initial tests. Innospace plans a second test launch in 2026 to continue its development.
Amid these setbacks, Isar Aerospace from Germany is positioning itself for a second opportunity to launch its Spectrum rocket. Following a series of 30-second integrated static test firings late last year, the company seeks to correct the issues that plagued its initial flight in March. The prior attempt ended abruptly when a vent valve malfunction led to a loss of control shortly after takeoff. As Daniel Metzler, co-founder and CEO of Isar Aerospace, noted, the ability to rapidly iterate through testing is crucial in the current market environment.
As businesses increasingly turn to aerospace for growth and technological advancement, the agility demonstrated by companies like Isar Aerospace is a vital indicator of how quickly the industry can adapt. Yet, as evidenced by the incidents involving Innospace, the road to successful launch operations is fraught with challenges. Furthermore, companies must remain vigilant about cybersecurity, especially as they leverage advanced technologies in their flight operations.
Given the rapid pace of innovation and the inherent risks, understanding potential vulnerabilities is essential. The MITRE ATT&CK framework can offer valuable insights into potential adversary tactics that may be employed against companies within the aerospace sector. Techniques such as initial access and privilege escalation could be pertinent, as organizations increasingly digitize their operations and integrate complex systems.
As the aerospace landscape evolves, industry stakeholders must stay informed about both advancements and risks. The interplay between technological development and cybersecurity resilience will be crucial for sustaining competitive advantage in this high-stakes environment.
