A lack of rockets is creating a crisis for space technology companies

SpaceX’s changing priorities, the war in Ukraine and a lack of competitors are all causing a launch crisis that might last years

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on 21 August 2026

Satellite operators are facing a launch crisis as the number of available rockets diminishes, a situation that could last years and prevent new satellites reaching space.

Just last year, wait times for a rocket launch were only 12 months or so, says Anatolii Papulov, founder and CEO of UK space tech firm NewOrbit, but the situation has now changed dramatically. “The lead times to launch right now are basically 30 to 36 months,” he says. “This will definitely impact a lot of start-ups.”