Russia vs United States: Cumulative number of objects launched into outer space
Russia
3,914
in 2025
United States
15,677
in 2025
Russia rank
2nd
United States rank
1st
Cumulative number of objects launched into outer space over time
- Russia
- United States
How they compare
United States currently reports 15,677 against 3,914 in Russia, a difference of 11,763.
That makes United States's figure about 4.0 times Russia's.
The two have swapped places 2 times across 68 shared years of data; in 1958 it was United States ahead.
Russia ranks 2nd and United States ranks 1st of 50 countries.
Across the 8 decades both report, Russia averaged higher in 5 and United States in 3.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Russia | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 4.5 | 12.5 | 8 | United States |
| 1960s | 155.4 | 317.8 | 162.4 | United States |
| 1970s | 955.7 | 821.5 | 134.2 | Russia |
| 1980s | 2,080 | 1,058 | 1,022 | Russia |
| 1990s | 2,939 | 1,377 | 1,562 | Russia |
| 2000s | 3,216 | 1,853 | 1,364 | Russia |
| 2010s | 3,452 | 2,456 | 996 | Russia |
| 2020s | 3,722 | 9,112 | 5,390 | United States |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher cumulative number of objects launched into outer space, Russia or United States?
- United States, at 15,677 against 3,914 in Russia as of 2025.
- What is the difference in cumulative number of objects launched into outer space between Russia and United States?
- 11,763, with United States ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Russia and United States?
- 68 years are reported by both, from 1958 to 2025.
- How do Russia and United States rank globally for cumulative number of objects launched into outer space?
- Russia ranks 2nd and United States ranks 1st of 50 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Cumulative number of objects launched into outer space. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.