The space missions planned by NASA are growing in volume and ambition – and they’re launching now.

Rob Spiegel

May 25, 2022

12 Slides

The future isn’t what it used to be. After decades of relatively quiet space missions, we’re seeing a healthy uptick in the number of space missions as well as a boost in ambition and imagination.

In 2021 there were 134 launches into space – the highest number in the entire history of spaceflight. Nearly 200 orbital launches are scheduled for 2022. This will smash last year’s record.

Times have never been better for kids to dream of growing up to be an astronaut. Of course, in talking with NASA and private space company engineers over the years, I’ve discovered that plenty of kids dream about becoming spacecraft engineers.

Here are a few of the missions we’re seeing for space launches.

About the Author(s)

Rob Spiegel

Rob Spiegel serves as a senior editor for Design News. He started with Design News in 2002 as a freelancer and hired on full-time in 2011. He covers automation, manufacturing, 3D printing, robotics, AI, and more.

Prior to Design News, he worked as a senior editor for Electronic News and Ecommerce Business. He has contributed to a wide range of industrial technology publications, including Automation World, Supply Chain Management Review, and Logistics Management. He is the author of six books.

Before covering technology, Rob spent 10 years as publisher and owner of Chile Pepper Magazine, a national consumer food publication.

As well as writing for Design News, Rob also participates in IME shows, webinars, and ebooks.

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