Logistics

The circulatory system of the space economy — how mass leaves Earth, moves through the orbital shells, and finds its way home again.

launches, 2026
humans in space
total launches ever
next launch

source: Launch Library 2 (The Space Devs) — live

The orbital shells

plan · launch · operate · recover · refurbish · reuse.

Diagram of the orbital logistics cycle — launch, transit, and arrival through LEO, MEO, and GEO

orbital mechanics · the logistics cycle · caeloport

Essential sources

the primary record, not secondhand summary.

nasa · primary archive

NASA Technical Reports Server

Over 500,000 technical documents on propulsion, orbital mechanics, and mission design. Free, searchable, authoritative.

ntrs.nasa.gov →
celestrak · tracking

CelesTrak Orbital Data

Real-time tracking data for every catalogued object in orbit. The de facto standard source for orbital mechanics research.

celestrak.org →
faa · official data

FAA Launch Vehicle Reliability Data

Official US government launch reliability statistics — success rates, failure analyses, and commercial licensing data.

faa.gov →