// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Flight Operations
Flight operations encompass all the activities involved in planning, executing, and monitoring a space mission from launch to landing or end of mission. This includes managing the spacecraft and ground systems.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Flight Operations (Flight Ops) refers to the comprehensive set of activities and processes for planning, executing, and monitoring a space mission, including spacecraft command and control, ground segment management, and anomaly resolution, ensuring mission success and safety.
BACKGROUND
As of May 27, 2026, the SpaceX Starship has been launched 12 times, with 7 successes and 5 failures. SpaceX has developed Starship with the intention of lowering launch costs using economies of scale. It aims to achieve this by reusing both rocket stages, increasing payload mass to orbit, increasing launch frequency, creating a mass-manufacturing pipeline and adapting it to a wide range of space missions. Starship is the latest project in SpaceX's reusable launch system development program and plan to colonize Mars, and is one of two landing systems selected by NASA for the Artemis program's crewed Lunar missions.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Mission Operations
- Spacecraft Operations
- Ops
- Control Operations
USAGE NOTE
The Flight Operations team worked tirelessly during the Mars rover's entry, descent, and landing.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Flight Operations.
Designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. It is heavily involved in mission control and flight operations for its Starlink constellation, crewed missions to the ISS, and various satellite deployments.
As the U.S. government agency responsible for the civilian space program, NASA conducts extensive flight operations for human spaceflight (e.g., ISS, Artemis), robotic exploration, and Earth observation missions.
A major player in aerospace, providing solutions for military, government, and commercial customers. This includes developing and operating spacecraft (e.g., Starliner capsule) and other aerospace systems that require sophisticated flight operations.
A division of Airbus focused on military aircraft, missiles, space systems, and related services. They are involved in satellite manufacturing, launch services (via ArianeGroup), and the complex flight operations required to manage these assets in orbit.
A joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, ULA provides launch services for government and commercial missions using Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy rockets (and soon Vulcan Centaur). Their operations include extensive launch and flight execution management.
A global aerospace and defense technology company involved in designing, developing, and operating space systems, launch vehicles (e.g., Antares, OmegA), and satellite services that necessitate comprehensive flight operations expertise.
Developing reusable rocket engines, launch vehicles (New Shepard, New Glenn), and in-space systems. Their activities encompass the full scope of flight operations, from launch preparation to in-space maneuvering and landing.
Europe's gateway to space, coordinating space exploration and research across its member states. ESA operates numerous scientific and Earth observation satellites and missions, requiring continuous flight operations and mission control.
A spaceflight company focused on providing suborbital spaceflights for private individuals and research missions. Their core business revolves around the safe and efficient flight operations of their SpaceShipTwo system.