China

Russia and China each completed launches on April 17, 2026. Russia's Soyuz-2 rocket deployed a classified military payload involving multiple spacecraft from Plesetsk, with debris falling into the ocean. China's Long March 4C launched a greenhouse gas detection satellite from Jiuquan, but details on the rocket's lower stages remain undisclosed. SpaceX leads with 46 launches this year.

China has completed a wet dress rehearsal for the Long March 10B, indicating a potential launch within weeks. This reusable rocket aims to enhance China's launch capabilities, reflecting advancements in its space program. The successful fueling test is a critical step towards operational readiness, signaling increased competition in the global launch market for reusable vehicles.

China conducted two successful Long March launches, deploying satellites for the Thousand Sails and Guowang megaconstellations. The Long March 8 launched 18 satellites for Thousand Sails on April 7, while the Long March 6A followed with five satellites for Guowang on April 8. Guowang aims for 400 satellites by 2027, part of China's broader space strategy.

ISRO's current launch capacity is insufficient to meet its civil and strategic payload manifest by 2030, even with upgrades. Over the past decade, India has achieved 51 launches, averaging five per year, compared to China and the US, which have significantly higher launch rates. The LVM3 and other vehicles face challenges that hinder India's ambitions in space access.

China's Lanyue lunar lander, weighing approximately 26,000 kilograms, is designed for crewed Moon missions by 2030. It features a heavy propulsion module for descent and landing. Training for taikonauts includes manual control simulations. A successful test in August 2025 demonstrated coordination between engines and thrusters, ensuring safety and adaptability during potential mission abort scenarios.