The two charts below demonstrate the number of spacecraft launched by various national governments from 1957 to 2007, along with the purpose of each mission.
As can be seen from the graphs, Russia dominates the number of spacecraft launches, accounting for approximately half of the total with 3,484 satellites. This is followed by the USA with 1,760 launches. In contrast, India has the lowest number of launches, with only 48 spacecraft. Other contributors include China (111 launches), Canada (28 launches), Japan (114 launches), among others.
The line graph provides a comprehensive overview of the purposes for which these spacecraft were launched. It is clear that over 25% of the launches were dedicated to communications, making it the most common purpose. In comparison, planetary exploration and weather observation account for just over 5% of launches. Notably, surveillance satellites account for just under one-fifth of the launches, while research purposes comprise around one-tenth. The figure for manned space programs was very low.
Overall, the charts illustrate the diverse range of missions organized by national governments and commercial entities.