Orbital rockets are used to launch satellites into orbit around the earth. The number of orbital launches has skyrocketed in recent years, due in large part to increases in Chinese state-led space industry and increased activity by SpaceX (Ars Technica). According to RocketLaunch.Live’s 2022 data, the U.S. launched 85 orbital rockets, and China launched 62. In 2021, China led with 52, compared to 48 launched for the U.S. These are the highest numbers of launches China has ever completed (Global Times).