// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Launch Operations
Launch operations are all the activities involved in preparing a rocket and its payload for launch, conducting the countdown, and executing the liftoff. This covers everything from assembly to ignition.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Launch Operations encompass the comprehensive set of procedures, personnel activities, and technical processes involved in preparing a launch vehicle and its payload, conducting the countdown sequence, and executing the liftoff from a launch complex, ensuring mission readiness and range 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
- Pre-launch Operations
- Countdown Operations
- Launch Execution
- Liftoff Operations
USAGE NOTE
Launch operations were delayed by several hours due to a minor technical issue.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Launch Operations.
SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. It is a leading provider of launch services for government and commercial payloads, operating its Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch systems and associated ground infrastructure.
A joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, ULA provides reliable and cost-effective launch services for the U.S. government and commercial customers. They operate Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy rockets and are developing the next-generation Vulcan Centaur.
Arianespace is a European company that provides commercial launch services for satellites. It operates the Ariane 5, Ariane 6 (in development), and Vega rockets from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.
Blue Origin is developing a range of launch systems, including the suborbital New Shepard for space tourism and the orbital New Glenn heavy-lift launch vehicle. They focus on manufacturing, testing, and operating their proprietary rockets.
Rocket Lab specializes in dedicated small satellite launches using its Electron rocket. The company provides end-to-end launch services, including vehicle manufacturing, mission management, and launch operations from their private launch sites.
Northrop Grumman is a major aerospace and defense technology company involved in launch operations through its Antares rocket for ISS resupply missions and Minotaur rockets for government payloads. They also produce solid rocket boosters for other launch vehicles.
Relativity Space is developing 3D-printed rockets, Terran 1 and the larger Terran R, to provide flexible and efficient launch services for satellite constellations. Their approach aims to revolutionize rocket manufacturing and launch operations.
MHI provides launch services for various satellites using Japan's H-IIA and H-IIB rockets and is developing the next-generation H3 launch vehicle. They are responsible for the entire launch operation process, from vehicle production to mission execution.