If you’re a fan of rocket launches, then you’ll absolutely love these charts created by Flight Atlas.
The site launched earlier this year but a recent post on X by Rocket Lab chief Peter Beck has brought it wider exposure.
Flight Atlas lets you filter rocket launches in a myriad of ways, including rocket type, date, country, and company. Hover the mouse over each rocket image to pull up the vehicle information and launch details.
Even better, it presents the data using stunning visuals that depict each and every rocket ever used, and presents them in size proportion based on real dimensions. With that in mind, notice how SpaceX’s 123-meter-tall Starship towers over all the others, and don’t miss Rocket Lab’s titchy Electron rocket, which is just 18 meters tall.
The default view on the Flight Atlas home page shows every rocket launch that’s taken place around the world from January 1 this year, and you’ll probably be surprised to see just how many there have been.
Once you start playing about with the filters, you’ll get some fascinating insight into the world of rocket launches. For example, compare the number of launches in 2011 to 2025 and you’ll see the impact that SpaceX has had with its workhorse Falcon 9 rocket.
In 2011, for example, there were only 78 rocket launches globally, with just two Falcon 9 launches taking place then. But in 2025, the chart expands dramatically, mainly due to the Falcon 9’s 160 launches to date, most of which have involved the deployment of Starlink internet satellites.
SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket first appears in the chart in 2023 when it took its maiden test flight. But look out — this beast will start to dominate the visuals, possibly from next year, as SpaceX seeks to significantly increase its test program for the next-gen rocket.
