WASHINGTON — As demand for space launches surges — from satellite constellations to national security payloads — the U.S. launch market is becoming dangerously concentrated. According to Payload, in 2024, SpaceX accounted for more than 95% of U.S. launches. That includes roughly two-thirds of NASA’s orbital missions and a hefty percentage of national security missions.
Today, the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) released a new report warning that the growing dominance of a single provider threatens national security, suppresses innovation, inflates costs, and jeopardizes long-term access to space. Authored by Mary Guenther, PPI’s Head of Space Policy, “Reigniting Rocket Competition: The Case for Refocusing on Domestic Competition in the Launch Sector” finds that without deliberate action to foster competition, U.S. policy aimed at ensuring a resilient and innovative launch market could be undone.
“Competition in the space launch market requires intentionality and the U.S. Government appears to have taken its eye off the prize in this arena,” said Guenther. “A vibrant and competitive launch ecosystem is essential to maintaining America’s leadership in space, securing fair prices for taxpayers, and ensuring we can get critical payloads into orbit whenever the nation needs them.”
The report urges federal policymakers to:
“The U.S. government has the leverage and responsibility to keep the launch market competitive,” said Guenther. “If we make the right policy choices now, we can secure a space economy that is innovative, resilient, and open for business.”
Read and download the report here.
Founded in 1989, PPI is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. Find an expert and learn more about PPI by visiting progressivepolicy.org. Follow us @PPI.###
Media Contact: Ian O’Keefe – iokeefe@ppionline.org
